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A Hands-On Introduction to Forensic Science

Cracking the Case, Second Edition
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Hands-On Introduction to Forensic Science, Second Edition follows a crime fiction narrative centred on a veteran homicide detective and a criminalist collaborating to solve a missing persons case. Each chapter reveals new evidence and forensic science principles, culminating in hands-on lab activities that develop practical skills in analysing crime scene evidence. The updated edition incorporates the latest advances in DNA sequencing, phenotyping, and bioinformatics.

Students actively engage by documenting the crime scene, analysing physical evidence, and ultimately participating in a mock trial that simulates courtroom proceedings. This interactive approach deepens understanding by having students assume roles such as attorneys, experts, and jurors to evaluate the evidence and reach a verdict.
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Format: Hardback
$27100
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for students and educators in forensic science and related fields seeking an engaging, practical introduction. Its hands-on activities and case-based format suit educational settings aiming to combine scientific theory with real-world application.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A Hands-On Introduction to Forensic Science, Second Edition continues in the tradition of the first edition, taking a wholly unique approach to teaching forensic science. Each chapter begins with a brief, fictional narrative that runs through the entire book; it is a crime fiction narrative that describes the interaction of a veteran homicide detective teamed with a criminalist and the journey they take together to solve a missing persons case. Step by step, the book progressively reveals pieces of information about the crime, followed by the more traditional presentation of scientific principles and concepts on given forensic topics. Each chapter concludes with a series of user-friendly, cost-effective, hands-on lab activities that provide the students with the skills necessary to analyse the evidence presented in each chapter. The new edition is completely updated with a special focus on new DNA techniques in DNA sequencing, DNA phenotyping, and bioinformatics.

Students will engage in solving a missing persons case by documenting the crime scene, analysing physical evidence in the lab, and presenting findings in a mock trial setting. Within the chapters themselves, students learn about the technical, forensic concepts presented within each of the opening story segments. The book culminates with students playing the roles of the main characters in a trialβ€”attorneys, scientific experts, suspect, judge, bailiff, and juryβ€”to present and judge the evidence in a mock trial setting. The mock trial will mimic what takes place in a real courtroom, and the jury will deliberate on the evidence presented to determine the guilt or innocence of the suspect.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781138495661

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 07 October 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: CRC Press

Edition: 2nd edition

Illustration: 17 Line drawings, color; 338 Halftones, color

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Width: 216.0mm

Height: 280.0mm

Weight: 1700g

Pages: 528

About the Author

Mark Okuda received his BA in biology with a minor in chemistry from the University of the Pacific. He went on to receive his MA in natural science from San Jose State University. Mark taught for 33 years at Silver Creek High School and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Evergreen Valley College teaching human heredity and forensic biology. During his tenure as a high school science teacher, Mark was the recipient of the Santa Clara County Teacher of the Year, Synopsys Outstanding Science Teacher Award, East Side Union High School District Innovative Teacher Award (Forensic Science), and National Biotechnology Education Conference Teacher Award and held a patent for a biotechnology kit marketed by Bio-Rad entitled "Secrets of the Rain Forest." Frank H. Stephenson received his PhD in molecular biology from UC Berkeley and performed postgraduate work at UC San Francisco Medical School. He spent several years with Berlex Biosciences as a senior research scientist prior to joining the Technical Training Department at Life Technologies, where he teaches forensics, DNA sequencing, and real-time PCR. Frank has taught molecular biology with the UC Berkeley Extension program and, for ten years, served as a part-time faculty member with Foothill College, where he conducted evening classes in PCR. Dr. Stephenson has published several books in the biotech field, including DNA: How the Biotech Revolution Is Changing the Way We Fight Disease and Calculations for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: A Guide to Mathematics in the Laboratory. This textbook evolved from summer workshops in forensic and DNA analysis given at Life Technologies to high school teachers and students in collaboration with his coauthor, Mark Okuda.

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