0
Description
Forensic scientists, law enforcement, and crime scene investigators are often tasked with reconstruction of events based on crime scene evidence, and the subsequent analysis of that evidence. The use and misuse of firearms to perpetrate crimes from theft to murder necessitates numerous invitations to reconstruct shooting incidents. The discharge of firearms and the behavior of projectiles create many forms of physical evidence that, through proper testing and interpretation by a skilled forensic scientist, can establish what did and what did not occur. This book is generated from the authors' numerous years of conducting courses and seminars on the subject of shooting incident reconstruction. It seeks to thoroughly address matters from simple to complex in providing the reader an explanation of the factors surrounding ballistics, trajectory, and shooting scenes. The ultimate objectives of this unique book are to assist investigators, crime scene analysts, pathologists, ballistics experts, and lawyers to understand the terminology, science, and factors involved in reconstructing shooting incident events to solve forensic cases. The book will cover the full range of related topics including the range from which a firearm was discharged, the sequence of shots in a multiple discharge shooting incident, the position of a firearm at the moment of discharge, the position of a victim at the moment of impact, the probable flight path of a projectile, the manner in which a firearm was discharged and much more.
Key Features
- Written by the most well-respected shooting scene and ballistics experts in the world
- Contains over 200 full-color diagrams and photographs that support and illustrate key concepts
- Case studies illustrate real-world application of technical concepts
Readership
The audience would include practicing forensic scientists (firearm and toolmark examiners), ballistics experts, crime scene personnel, police departments, forensic consultants (generalists), attorneys and judges, medical examiners (coroners), and forensic pathologists
Table of Contents
Dedication
Introduction
Introduction to First Edition
Chapter 1. Case Approach, Philosophy, and Objectives
Chapter 2. Working Shooting Scenes
Chapter 3. The Reconstructive Aspects of Class Characteristics and a Limited Universe
Chapter 4. Is It a Bullet Hole?
Chapter 5. Some Useful Reagents and Their Application
Chapter 6. Distance and Orientation Derived from Gunshot Residue Patterns
Chapter 7. Projectile Penetration and Perforation
Chapter 8. Projectiles and Glass
Chapter 9. Projectile Ricochet and Deflection
Chapter 10. The Principles of “Trajectory” Reconstruction
Chapter 11. Determining Bullet Track (“Trajectory”) in Gunshot Victims
Chapter 12. Trace Evidence Considerations Associated with Firearms
Chapter 13. True Ballistics: Long-Range Shootings and Falling Bullets
Chapter 14. Cartridge Case Ejection and Ejection Patterns
Chapter 15. The Shooting of Motor Vehicles
Chapter 16. Shotgun Shootings and Evidence
Chapter 17. Sound Levels of Gunshots, Supersonic Bullets, and Other Impulse Sounds
Chapter 18. Ultimate Objectives, Reports, and Court Presentations
Appendix
Glossary
Index
Details
- No. of pages:
- 440
- Language:
- English
- Copyright:
- © 2011
- Published:
- 29th June 2011
- Imprint:
- Academic Press
- eBook ISBN:
- 9780123822420
- Print ISBN:
- 9780123822413
About the author
Michael Haag
Affiliations and Expertise
Forensic Scientist, Forensic Science Consultants, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Reviews
"Well illustrated with diagrams and photographs, the book will give police oversight practitioners a better understanding of what crime scene investigators and criminalists can (and perhaps should) do in an officer involved shooting investigation…. The chapter on bullet track determinations in gunshot victims is an excellent primer for a layperson reviewing an autopsy report…. The chapter on shooting of vehicles will be particularly useful for agencies investigating or reviewing such incidents." --National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) Review
Praise for the first edition:
"Shooting Incident Reconstruction is an informative and comprehensive guide to the analysis of firearms at crime scenes ranging from accidental injuries to carefully planned murders . . . This book covers it all. No longer will investigators be forced to rely on eyewitness accounts alone; instead, they will be able to use the reconstructive aspects of firearms evidence to determine what did and did not happen at a crime scene." --Law Enforcement Technology
"In creating this book, author Lucien C. Haag drew from years of experience in the field, first as a criminalist and later as the former technical director of Phoenix, Ariz., Police Department's forensic laboratory. Shooting Incident Reconstruction provides an explanation of the factors surrounding ballistics, trajectory, and shooting scenes for both the layman and the professional. Key concepts are supported and illustrated by more than 100 diagrams and photographs, many of which are in color. Gun enthusiasts will find much of this book of interest..." --American Rifleman