FBI Handbook of Crime Scene Forensics

by Federal Bureau of Investigation

The FBI Handbook of Crime Scene Forensics is the official procedural guide for law enforcement agencies, attorneys, and tribunals submitting evidence to the FBI. This handbook outlines the proper methods for investigating crime scenes, examining evidence (bullets, computers, hairs, inks, lubricants, ropes, shoeprints, tire treads, weapons of mass destruction, and more), packing and shipping evidence to the FBI, and observing safety protocol at hazardous crime scenes. At once a guide for professional forensics experts and an introduction for laymen, the FBI Handbook of Crime Scene Forensics makes perfect reading for fans of Cold Case, Silent Witness, and the Law & Order and CSI franchises, and anyone with an interest in investigative police work and the criminal justice system.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Science, Crime, Writing, True Crime

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

About the author

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States, which simultaneously serves as the nation's prime federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI is concurrently a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community and reports to both the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence. A leading U.S. counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, and criminal investigative organization, the FBI has jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crimes.

Reviews

[Anne Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book mostly as a reference for my own writing, given I write a crime/suspense series. Always striving to make my stories as realistic as possible, I didn't want to fall into the kind of writing that would make Jerri Williams, author of FBI Myths and Misconceptions give one of her shoes a toss. (Read her book to find out what I'm talking about.) As evidence handling is one of those areas where I've noted a desire on my own part to toss a shoe at the TV set, and having a long-held interest in crime scene investigation and forensics, I felt this would be a good resource.

I wasn't disappointed.

This book probably isn't the right one for someone uninitiated in crime scene procedures or evidence-handling, as it's designed primarily as a handy guide for those wanting to submit evidence to one of the FBI's crime laboratories. But it does contain a concise outline of how a crime scene is documented, as well as very detailed descriptions of how different types of evidence should be gathered and packaged for later analysis. As such, it can be a valuable resource for authors who might be tempted to let the media wander through their crime scene, or their investigators handle evidence before it's been documented or with their bare hands.

[Amy Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative

As a writer of crime novels, this book was filled with a lot of information. I learned a lot about procedures and what things need to be done in forensics. It's a good book filled with details about different aspects of investigations. I learned a lot and will keep it as a resource.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's pretty much exactly what you would expect. Outlines of how to collect and submit types of evidence, information on how to conduct a search and keep everyone safe.

Everything is very well laid out. A comprehensive table of contents and index make it easy to find what you're looking for. And it's easy to understand, even for a lay person.

A perfect reference guide.

[Racquel Vachon · Rating 4 out of 5]

We chill, just a normal book about crime scene stuff. I mostly skimmed it cause it was a lot of step by step. But the packaging and shipping explanation parts were rather interesting, I didn’t know so much went into just shipping these stuff lol

[Alexie Linn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful as a reference to how things are done.

[Aaron Jura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of easy to interpret info. Great if you’re writing mystery or anything with a crime scene.

[Nikki "The Crazie Betty" V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very in depth, detailed look at how forensic science is done in the FBI. This is not CSI kind of stuff, this is the actual "what to do" booklet on how to submit evidence to the FBI for review. I found this to be very interesting and appreciated getting to see how many different scenarios agents have to be mindful of when it comes to collecting and submitting evidence. Any normal person who just wants to read this because they think forensics is cool, probably won't enjoy this since it's an actual handbook/textbook. But, if you're interested in the true police procedural aspect of it then I would say give it a go! It's totally free and you can find it on the FBI's website or at the link I've provided below. I personally found the information regarding how bones, blood, teeth and tissue are submitted to the FBI for handling, to be the most interesting.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/lab/handb... handbook

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pocket sized handbook developed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation covering the collection, handling, and evaluation of evidence from possible crime scenes. It also discusses maintaining the integrity and safety of the scene.

[Robert Graves · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book, but it's incredibly dry.