Have you ever wondered whether the forensic science you've seen on TV is
anything like the real thing? There's no better way to find out than to
roll up your sleeves and do it yourself. This full-color book offers
advice for setting up an inexpensive home lab, and includes more than 50
hands-on lab sessions that deal with forensic science experiments in
biology, chemistry, and physics. You'll learn the practical skills and
fundamental knowledge needed to pursue forensics as a lifelong hobby--or
even a career.
The forensic science procedures in this book are not merely educational,
they're the real deal. Each chapter includes one or more lab sessions
devoted to a particular topic. You'll find a complete list of equipment
and chemicals you need for each session.
- Analyze soil, hair, and fibers
- Match glass and plastic specimens
- Develop latent fingerprints and reveal blood traces
- Conduct drug and toxicology tests
- Analyze gunshot and explosives residues
- Detect forgeries and fakes
- Analyze impressions, such as tool marks and footprints
- Match pollen and diatom samples
- Extract, isolate, and visualize DNA samples
Through their company, The Home Scientist, LLC
(thehomescientist.com/forensics), the authors also offer inexpensive
custom kits that provide specialized equipment and supplies you'll need
to complete the experiments. Add a microscope and some common household
items and you're good to go.
