Preface

In recent years, a number of textbooks on forensic science have been published, most of them directed to two groups, viz. the students of forensic science, and the customers so to say, (prosecutors, police officers, judges, defense lawyers).

In this book, while covering fundamental concepts, we try to go a little further and address also active workers in the field of forensic chemistry. This is mainly achieved by relatively numerous literature references. We hope that they may assist the forensic chemist in penetrating further into the subjects covered in this volume.

At the end of most chapters there are examples of actual cases handled at the Swedish National Laboratory of Forensic Science. Many of these cases could, no doubt, have been investigated in greater detail, but they reflect the compromises often necessary for achieving a reasonable turnover.

Some parts of the book are quite strongly colored by the personal opinions of the authors. We felt that these passages will give a little more life to the text than in other treatises of a more objective, but possibly duller character.

The authors welcome all constructive criticism which will help to improve the book, should there be a second edition.

This reminds us of a well-known exchange of messages between Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw, which roughly went thus: Shaw sent two tickets for the first performance of one of his plays to W. C. with a note “…one ticket for you, and one for a friend—if you have any!” The tickets came back with an answer: “Unfortunately, I am engaged that evening, but will be delighted to attend the second performance—if there is any.”

Linköping, Fall 1981
Andreas Maehly and Lars Strömberg

Contents

A. General Introduction..........................1

I. Historical Notes.............................3
I. Forensic Science Today........................7

B. The State of the Art.... ...................15
I. Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs................17
II. Explosives............. ....................65
III. Polymers... ............................85
V. Fibers................ .....................l07
V. Paints, Varnishes and Lacquers..............29
VI. Glass.......................................55
VII. Soil....................................171
VIII. Firearm Discharge Residues..............183
IX. Fire Investigation......................201
X. Questioned Documents........................215
XI. Toxic Substances in Food....................237
XII. Restoration of Erased Markings..........241
XIII. Miscellaneous ..........................245

C. Auxiliary Activities..................................................253

I. The Forensic Significance of Physical Evidence and its Collection.......255
II. Reference Collections ..................................................275
III. The Forensic Expert.................................................279
IV. Sources of Information on Forensic Science..............................283
V. The Organization of a Forensic Science Laboratory.......................291

Index.............315