The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science

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.

Kathy Mirakovits teaches forensic science and physics at Portage Northern High School in Portage, Michigan, and physics at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She holds a master’s degree in science education from Western Michigan University and has completed over 15 graduate hours in forensic science. She has taught at the high school and two-year-college levels for a total of 25 years, teaching general science, physical science, chemistry, biology, earth science, and physics. She conducts workshops across the United States for teachers who wish to learn the application of forensic science in a school curriculum. She currently serves as the high school director for the Michigan Science Teachers Association.

Gina Londino received her master’s degree in chemistry from Purdue University in Indianapolis. Her main focus in graduate school was in forensic analysis of pigmented ink using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. She also performed research on biomarkers at Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, through the ADME department throughout graduate school. Gina is currently a senior lecturer 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.