The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science: A Laboratory Manual

Product Description 
The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition presents foundational concepts in forensic science through hands-on laboratory techniques and engaging exercises. The text offers numerous lab projects on a range of subjects including fingerprinting, shoeprint analysis, firearms, pathology, anthropology, forensic biology and DNA, drugs, trace evidence analysis, and more. 
This Second Edition is fully updated to include extensive full-color photos and diagrams to reflect current best-practices focussing on laboratory procedure, techniques, and interpretation of results. Each laboratory illustrates processes and concepts, and how the equipment should be set up for a given exercise. Many of the exercises can be done with minimal laboratory equipment and material while certain exercises also have additional options and advanced lab exercises―for those education institutions with access to more specialized or advance laboratory equipment. While the sequencing of laboratory exercises in the book is designed to follow The Basics textbook, the lab exercises are intentionally modular can be performed in any sequence desired by an instructor. 
The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science, Second Edition is an excellent resource for introduction to forensic sciences courses, including the companion textbook it was designed to accompany, Forensic Science: The Basics, Fourth Edition (ISBN: 9780367251499). The book can be used alongside any textbook, and even serve as a stand-alone text for two- and four-year college programs, as well as course at the high school level. 
 About the Author 
Kathy Mirakovits is a retired high school teacher of forensic science and physics. She currently teaches 
forensic science and physics at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Kathy 
holds an MS in science education from Western Michigan University, a bachelor’s degree in science education 
from Miami University, and has completed over 15 graduate hours in forensic science. She has taught 
general science, physical science, chemistry, biology, earth science, and physics at the high school and twoyear 
college level for a total of 30 years. Additionally, Kathy conducts workshops across the United States 
for teachers who wish to learn the application of forensic science in a school curriculum. Information on 
those workshops can be found at her website: www .forensicscience -ed .com. She has developed numerous 
forensic science educational products for a national science supplier and has led workshops at the National 
Science Teachers Association (NSTA) in forensic science. 
Kathy has served as president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Association of Physics Teachers 
(AAPT) and as a curriculum writer for the Michigan Department of Education. Kathy has served as the 
high school director and the membership director for the Michigan Science Teachers Association. She has 
received the RadioShack Science Teaching Award and has been a two-time state finalist for the Presidential 
Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST). 
Gina Londino-Smolar earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Ball State University in Muncie, 
Indiana. She then attended graduate school at Purdue University, Indianapolis, where she earned a master’s 
degree in chemistry. While in graduate school, her main focus was in forensic analysis of pigmented ink 
using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Gina is currently a senior lecturer in the Department 
of Chemistry and Chemical Biology teaching in the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program at Indiana 
University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, where she has been teaching introductory courses in forensic 
science, forensic chemistry, and forensic microscopy since 2006. She has designed multiple courses in 
forensic science, including a variety of beginner-to-advanced laboratory exercises. Gina also serves as a faculty 
fellow with

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Once confined to four-year colleges and graduate schools, forensic science classes can now be found in local high schools as well as in two-year community colleges. The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science: A Laboratory Manual is designed for the beginning forensic science student and for instructors who wish to provide a solid foundation in basic forensic science topics and laboratory techniques. Divided into five distinct sections, the book covers a broad range of subjects, including fingerprinting, shoeprint analysis, firearms, pathology, anthropology, forensic biology, drugs, trace evidence, and more. The book includes extensive notes for instructors to assist in pre-laboratory preparation. Highly illustrated with extensive diagrams and photos, this comprehensive laboratory workbook contains enough pedagogic content to enable it to be used alongside and forensic text or even as a stand-alone text. The laboratory exercises include pre- and post-laboratory questions, illustrating basic crime scene scenarios and clearly stating the objectives of each exercise. Many of the exercises also have additional advanced lab exercises and options for educators with access to more specialized equipment.
The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science lends itself to a wide range of academic levels and environments. It is a welcome primer to instructors wanting to conduct experiments, each using essential laboratory techniques, and to address core forensic science concepts.

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