Forensic Colleges

Forensics are ever evolving due to changes and boosts in technology. Whether you are just interested in forensics or studying it, forensics is a very important component of our justice system. Here are some must read books on forensics:

This book, written by Dr. D P Lyle, is an introductory manual to several different forensics issues and serves as a great starting point for anyone interested in the forensic sciences.

Written by Ngaire Genge, this book explains in detail how responding officers and investigators handle a crime scene- from the very beginning, to the collection of evidence, the presentation of evidence in court and testimony.

Written by Dr D P Lyle, Howdunit Forensics presents the development and meaning of forensics, as well as how it works and how it takes a part in helping to solving crimes.

Written by W M Dale and Wendy Becker, this book explains the techniques used in forensic science in terms that are easy to understand as well as the psychological aspects of the crime scene teams.

This book, written by Larry Ragle, serves a a guide into a forensic investigator’s head to show how they figure out all the aspects of their investigation with the evidence they have.

Written by Michael M Baden, Dead Reckoning is about the procedures medical examiners follow as well as evidence found on the body to determine causes of death.

This textbook offers an introductory look into the forensics field and also includes case studies, real stories and photographs for a better understanding.

Written by Richard Saferstein, this textbook introduces the reader to the field of forensics through DNA, criminal investigations, techniques, and the abilities of crime labs.

Written by Jessica Snyder Sachs, Corpse decribes the steps it takes to determine when a person died, as well as many other projects and solved crimes relating to the subject matter.

Written by Edward M Robinson, this book stresses the importance of crime scene photos as well as the general principles, concepts, and strategies of crime scene photography.

Written by Colin Evans, this book details 100 cases, some famous, and what type of forensics were used to solve each one, with a description of history.

Written by David Owen, Hidden Evidence explores the discovery of forensics and the evolution of technology and technique to tell how 40 real crimes were solved, with pictures included.

Written by Dr. William R Maples, who was a forensic anthropologist, this book talks about the evolution of forensics and his experiences in solving some of the most famous cases to date.

Written by Ross M Gardner, this book is a manuel of how to cover crime scenes while also presenting theories and concepts of the crime scene.

Written by Henry Lee and Timothy Palmbach, and Marilyn T Miller, this book goes into collecting evidence at crimes scenes and how to process it, while keeping it general enough for someone who is introductory to understand.

Written by Mary H Manhein, this book tells the life of a forensic anthropologist- her infatuation and desire to learn more about anthropology, and the high- profile cases that she has worked on.

Written by Michael M Baden, Unnatural Death describes the life this medical examiner and how he uses the bodies to find out everything that happened to them.

Written by Katherine Ramsland, this book offers a look into crime scene coverage, evidence techniques, methods for processing a crime scene and also includes references to help along the way.

Written by Dr D P Lyle, this book is fact-filled and informative answering questions such as how long it takes bodies to decompose in certain states and many other informative facts.

Written by Dr William Bass and Jon Jefferson, this explains the process of several types of forensics as well as decomposition and the many cases they have been involved with over the years.

Hostage situations are a very real and very terrifying situation. Whether the person taking hostage is upset for being terminated, is trying to prove a point, or is just a random act, hostage situations can end very badly and seem to be happening more recently. The following are some hostage situations that have plagued the media in the last year:

On September 6, 2010, 29 year old Robert Anthony Quinones, stormed an Army Community Hospital and held 3 hospital workers hostage. He entered the hospital in the early morning hours armed with a semiautomatic rifle and a semiautomatic submachine gun demanding mental treatment. Quinones was medically discharged from the Army months before and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. No one was hurt and he eventually surrendered and later told investigators that he planned to kill President Obama and former President Bill Clinton; Quinones was charged with kidnapping, assualt with a deadly weapon, and charges relating to his assassination threats.

On September 2, 2010 James Lee stormed the Discovery Channel headquarters in Maryland and took three people hostage. Lee, who was carrying guns and wearing explosives, was upset with the channel about programming and had been arrested for disorderly conduct in 2008 for staging protests against the station. Lee had a long history of protest against the channel and often wrote negatively about it online and in his blogs. After several hours of police telephone negotiations Lee pointed his gun at one of the hostages and tactical officers then shot at Lee, killing him; none of the hostages were injured.

In June of 2010, 25 year old Anthony Alvarez, who was wanted by authorities in connection with three armed robberies, attempted murder, and shooting at a police officer, hid from police. When police received a tip-off of where Alvarez was staying he grabbed his cousin’s 16 month old boy and ran into an apartment, holding the boy hostage. In what turned into a 56 hour standoff, several gunfire exchanges between Alvarez and SWAT forced the city to close down busy surrounding streets and businesses. On the third day, SWAT blew a hole in the wall and swarmed the apartment, killing Alvarez and rescuing the baby boy, who was not injured.

In November of 2009, 42 year old Christopher Craft snuck into Stissing Mountain Middle School in upstate New York. Craft, who was a former student, hid a disassembled shotgun on him, assembled it in the bathroom and took the principal, Bob Hess hostage for over two hours. Craft yelled at administrators and was visibly upset but did not specifically threaten or harm anyone, according to police. Craft eventually surrendered and was arrested on charges of first-degree kidnapping, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal trespassing.

In December of 2009, 53 year old Warren Taylor, stormed a post office in Wtheville, Virgina with an explosive and a pistol and held three people inside the post office hostage. Hostages claimed Taylor ranted about his hatred for the federal government, the government’s overtaxing, and the repossession of his truck. Taylor, who was in a wheelchair, shot at a postmaster and at police at some point and surrendered himself and let his hostages go after about 8 hours- no one was harmed. Taylor had been planning the attack for some time was charged with kidnapping and other federal charges.

There are a ton of stories and books out there that portray ruthless crimes and brutal murders but real-life crimes books should not only let you in on the hard facts of the crimes committed but also give some insight into the minds of the accused. The following books written after notorious real life- crimes are must reads:

Written in 1966 by Truman Capote, In Cold Blood details the accounts of the brutal murders of Herbert Clutter, who was a wealthy Kansas farmer, his wife and two of their children. After reading a small news clip about the murders with no motives and no suspects, Capote became interested in the case and traveled to Kansas to compile information to write the book. The book is an examination of the intense relationship between two parolees who met in jail and conspired to committ the mass murder of the wealthy family.

Written in 1974 by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry, Helter Skelter became a bestseller and won an Edgar Award in 1975 for the Best Fact Crime book. The book was written about the murders committed in 1969 by Charles Manson and his followers who were also known as the Manson Family. Vincent Bugliosi was the prosecuting attorney in the the Manson trial and wrote the book based on his knowledge and accounts of what he describes as one of the most horrifying cases he had seen.

Written by Corey Mitchell, Savage Son tells the story of Bart Whitaker, who was about to graduate from college, when his family was murdered. One night after Bart’s brother opened the front door to their house a masked intruder shot him, his mother, his father and Bart; Bart and his father, Kent survived the attack. The investigation uncovered a double life and a ruthless murder for hire plot on Bart’s behalf. Mitchell became intrigued with the reputed All- American boy and looked into his and his friends, who were also involved with the murders, backgrounds to write the book.

Written in 1983, by Terry Sullivan and Peter T. Maiken, Killer Clown recounts the story of John Wayne Gacy who was convicted in 1979 of killing 33 young men. Gacy became known as the “Killer Clown” because he dressed up as a clown at children’s birthday parties and at fundraisers. Sullivan, who was the Illinois prosecuting attorney, wrote the book as he recalled the case, the interviews and the chilling discoveries of the boys all aged between 14 and 21; most were found buried in the crawl space underneath the basement of Gacy’s home.

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were well known outlaws born in Texas in the early 1900’s who, with the help of their gang, notoriously wreaked havoc in the Central and Southern U.S. during the Great Depression. The book, written by Dr. E. R. Milner, tells of the daily news worthy acts of the group as well as the frustration law enforcement endured as they managed to escape out of reach every single time. Milner spent 10 years researching the crew and their 2 year crime spree.

Written by Kathryn Harrison, While They Slept recalls the story of 18 year old Billy Gilley, who bludgeoned his parents and 11 year old sister to death in 1984. Harrison writes on the alleged abuse and statements of Gilley, who believed the murder of his parents would free him from the abusive home and environment in which they lived. Gilley’s then 16 year old sister, who was in the home the night of the murders (and is now estranged from Gilley) argued the severity of the abuse and both siblings have made significant contributions with information to the composition of the book.

Written by Dave Cullen, Columbine recalls the 1999 school shootings at Columbine, in which Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold masterminded. Harris and Kleberg attempted to blow up their school but when their bombs didn’t ignite, they took out their guns and sprayed gunfire around the campus in every direction they could. Cullen explores the brutality of the masterminds, which were left in journals, letters, and notes, and compiled thousands of FBI pages, interviews, and files to compile the book.

Written by Pat Brown and Bob Andelman, The Profiler shows how Pat Brown started her life as a criminal profiler. After a young woman was murdered near her home in 1990, Brown quickly suspected the young man renting a room in her house was responsible. After gathering evidence, police dismissed her accusations thinking she had too much time on her hands. Six years later the young man was finally sought and Brown is now one of the nation’s few female profilers and opens up about her determinations in this book.

Written by Paul LaRosa, Tacoma Confidential tells the chilling story of David Brame, the chief of police in Tacoma, Washington who killed his estranged wife, Crystal Brame. Brame shot his wife to death in a busy parking lot a few feet away from their two children. The book explores the chain of events that led up to the murder-suicide, as Barme killed himself immediately following her murder. LaRosa also explains in the book how shocked the community was and how mishandled the investigation became.

Written by pyschotherapist Dr. Robi Ludwig and Mark Birkbeck, Till Death Do Us Part presents and explores the minds of notorious killers who have murdered their spouses or intimate partners. The book brings to light the personality types of killer spouses with examples from high profile cases such as Scott Peterson, and provides an analyses of their motives for the murders.

Internships are a great way of learning more about the field you are getting into or currently studying and provide experience to know if you are in the right field. Internships also create contacts and networking opportunities, and in some cases, gain credit for classes. There are a variety of different internships offered within a vast area of expertise. The following internships are great for Criminal Justice majors:

Police stations are a great internship for students looking into police work or becoming an investigator or detective. While internship options will vary between forces, many police stations offer interns the opportunity to work with the several different components of the station. Most stations accept interns in front office work, shadowing a police officer (ride-alongs), and working with detectives.

Crime lab internships is a good way to learn more about forensic science. Technology in forensics is constantly changing so it is important to stay on top of the latest forensic testing methods and gadgets. Interning with a crime lab would teach and give you hands-on learning to evidence procedures, forensic testing, drug analysis and many other aspects of forensics.

The US Border Patrol is a federal law enforcement agency responsible for immigration and border law enforcement. Interning with this agency can help teach you immigrations laws and statistics as well as show and explain the many ways border patrol agents protect our borders, such as on foot, in the water, and at border checkpoints set up across the US.

The Coast Guard is a national organization responsible for various services at sea, such as search and rescue, border control and maritime law enforcement. Interns with the Coast Guard take a public affairs role to promote accomplishments within the force. They also tend to put more focus on public service announcements, all of which are a good way to learn more about the organization.

Interning at a probation office can show you the daily load and case management of a probation officer. It may also help to give you a better understanding of what consequences are given to certain offenders. Between meeting with their clients on probation, keeping track of them, and attending hearings, the life of a probation officer is usually kept pretty busy.

Taking an internship at a law office can help you better understand what attorneys and their paralegals interact with on a daily basis. From meeting with clients to drafting motions and petitions a law office internship offers great first-hand experience. There are several different laws that attorneys practice though so it is important to intern for one that you would like to gain more knowledge about.

An internship at a county courthouse is very helpful for learning how the criminal justice system works. From filing cases to attending courtroom hearings and analyzing statistics, the courthouse offers a great way to interact with a variety of different people such as attorneys, judges and clerks to understand what their daily routines are.

A juvenile detention center is a secured place where juveniles who have been into trouble are placed. Interning at a juvenile center would be helpful to learn how sentencing differs in juveniles and in adults. Since many of the juveniles assigned to the detention center are short stays, you could probably learn about a variety of different cases and offenders.

Child Protective Services is a government agency that exists in many states in the US and responds to reports or child neglect and abuse. While this job may not be for anyone, because of the conditions and abuse some children have had to endure, it is a good experience and could make you want to help children and teens who are put through the CPS system.

Interning with a nonprofit organization can give you a better view of what hard work is put into these organizations. Non-profits are a crucial part of our society that provide help for a variety of different people and families going through different ordeals. Interning for a non-profit could help shed light on how many families and people really need help.

Protecting the home is a way of making your family feel safe and secure while also helping to reduce home burglaries and break-ins. Whether it’s a small tip of advice or a whole new addition to install, adding more security to your home is never a bad idea. Here are some ways to help make you feel safer at home:

It may seem like this is a no-brainer, but leaving doors, windows, or garages unlocked or open, even for a minute, can be very appealing to a thief and could also present the opportunity for a quick swipe of your belongings. Be sure that all entrances to the home are always properly secured and that window blinds or curtains are always closed. Expensive equipment or valuables should also never be left around windows or in plain view for others to see.

It is very important to keep your house keys on you at all times. Do not hide keys in plants outside or under doormats or any other obvious hiding location, these hiding places are too familiar for burglars. If you need to leave your keys behind, find an inconspicuous place to put them, or leave them with someone you know you can trust. If your keys are lost or stolen- change your locks immediately.

If you build or purchase a home that is not fenced-in already it might be a good idea to look into. Fencing-in the home can keep away wandering eyes, give more privacy to the people inside the home, and make it harder for a burglar to get into your home. Fences come in a variety of different materials, shapes and sizes so there should be a type for any taste or home type and it is important to keep the gate locked and secured at all times.

Installing an alarm system in the home is a good way to deter burglars from your home. When the alarm is tripped the security company calls the police, who then send officers to secure the home and take the necessary measures. The alarm system keypad should be installed near the door for easy access to the people living inside the home and the password should only be given to trusted adults. Also, be careful to conceal wires, as someone could be looking for them to either disconnect or them.

Putting cameras in and around the property of your home will not only keep an eye out for suspicious activity, but it may also deter someone from breaking in if they see the camera. These surveillance systems come with a variety of options such as indoor or outdoor, waterproof, black or white, and many other options. Some cameras also offer motion detectors and time lapse photography, so you should assess your needs and give them a bit of research before you choose which system might be best for your home. Again, make sure to conceal wires, so that they cannot be taken out.

Believe it or not- having a dog can be a deterrent for someone who may be trying to get into your home to steal. If a person is trying to get into your home unlawfully and hears a dog bark, it most cases, it is enough for the burglar to stop and leave, because it usually brings attention to the barking dog. In other cases, if the burglar has already gotten into the home the presence of the dog could scare them away at that point.

It is important to keep your property well lit as a deterrent to thieves; something as simple as a light on is likely to turn them away from entering your home. Place several lights around your home and be sure to turn them on at nights. Motion detected lights are also an option, as they will turn on when the sense movement and cause the light to illuminate.

Installing deadbolts in your home is a good way to make it very difficult for someone to get into your home. Deadbolts should be installed in all doors that lead to outdoor exits. A deadbolt provides the best protection to burglars because without the key you cannot open the door, as opposed to faulty doorknobs and locks that can be jiggled and rattled, or broken or door hinges that can easily be taken off to get into the home.

Neighborhood crime watches can be very effective in helping to keep neighborhoods protected and free from burglaries and home invasions. A neighborhood crime watch is an organized group of citizens who are devoted to fight crime in their neighborhoods or communities. The group sometimes functions on its own as a neighborhood group or at times is also involved in community associations as well. It is important that any suspicious activity is reported to the police as soon as possible- matters should never be taken into the hands of anyone who is not properly trained.

When going on vacation or going to be away from your home for a couple of days or longer, be careful with who knows that information. Do not leave notes outside and try to not cancel deliveries (you never know how gets this information.) It is best to leave lights or a TV on and plan on having a neighbor pick up your newspapers and mail. You also may want to turn your phone ringer either off or on a low setting; a loud ringing phone that isn’t answered might be a tip off to burglars lurking around the home.

Everyone knows crime does not pay- someone should have told these criminals this- as they clearly did not get the message. The following criminals should have researched their crime books a little closer:

Jeff Rarey- Rarey, a 54 year old man made his way through an Indianapolis Airport and when he reached the security check point he told security that he had “a big bomb in his belly.” Of course, Rarey was referring to the Cinnabon and pizza he had rumbling around in his stomach, but security didn’t think it was too funny and he was arrested on a charge of false reporting.

Henry Lee Bobo- When police showed up to investigate a robbery, they didn’t have to look very far- Henry Lee Bobo had left his id behind. Not surprisingly, when cops caught up with him a couple blocks from the store, he was wearing the stolen items with the price tags still attached and was arrested.

Kevin Crockett- 25 year old Crockett robbed a bank in downtown Cincinnati, giving the tellers notes that demanded cash and then fled the bank. Only problem was, Crockett was so fast to get away he dropped his wallet on the sidewalk outside, which was stained with ink from an exploding dye pack in the bag of cash. Crockett’s wallet contained identification and he was found and arrested a couple of days later.

Andrea Elliot- Police were attempting to arrest 44 year old Andrea Elliot when she called 911- on herself. Elliot, who was being arrested for aggravated disorderly conduct called 911 and said she needed help because she was being arrested. Elliot was also slapped with an additional charge of making a false 911 call.

Ricky Hefflin- While attempting to enter a Fulton County Courthouse, Hefflin was stopped after looking nervous before going through the metal detectors. Noticing a bulge in Hefflin’s pocket, an officer asked him to empty out his pockets to which he refused and claimed he didn’t have anything on him. After being searched, police found a bag with 19 smaller bags inside containing marijuana and he was arrested.

Nathan Pugh- Attempting to rob a bank that he was a customer of, Nathan Pugh handed the teller a Whataburger bag with a note inside that read, “this is not food” claiming that the bag was a “bom.” The teller asked Pugh to see identification after he demanded $2000 and he complied as she hit the silent alarm and was arrested before he could even leave the bank.

Crystal Whittaker- Along with an accomplice, Whittaker stuffed $300 worth of clothing in a shopping bag inside of the JcPenney’s dressing room and ran off. Only problem was Whittaker left something behind- her 10 month old baby. While making her dash through the parking lot, she also threw her purse which had her identification in it.

Charlie Horn- 22 year old Charlie Horn was arrested for burglarizing a home in Ohio. After initially trying to deny the incident and claim his innocence police were convinced they had their man- Horn had been wearing a court-ordered GPS tracking unit. The police were able to put him at the scene of the crime and track his every move.

Yancy Cochran- Cochran showed up at an Iowa Courthouse to bail out one of his friends who had been arrested for unpaid parking tickets. After Cochran paid the 300 hundred dollar fine in fake 50 dollar bills he was arrested and later confessed to making the bills at his home. Cochran was charged with a felony, forgery that is punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Dwayne Davis- Police in Florida had been showing a store’s surveillance video and asking for help from the public in apprehending an unidentified man seen pistol whipping another man. A news station had been showing a segment of local unsolved crimes and Davis phoned the police department to ask why his picture was on the news.