The Real World of a Forensic Scientist

With the skyrocketing popularity of TV crime shows like CSI and CSI-Miami, interest in forensic science has reached unprecedented levels. However compelling these programs are as dramas, they spread many misconceptions about the real world of the forensic scientist. Students who wish to pursue a career in this field are often unaware of the many diverse career choices available or have superficial notions of the rigors involved. In this in-depth insider's guide to this crucial area of criminal investigation, renowned forensic scientist Henry C. Lee, along with veteran forensic experts Elaine M. Pagliaro and Katherine Ramsland, provides a realistic picture of the education, skills, challenges, and rewards involved in the many specialties that encompass forensic science. All are used to unravel seemingly baffling crimes. The first part of the book highlights Dr. Lee's personal story and forty-year career to demonstrate how forensic science developed in the twentieth century and came to be recognized by the courts and law enforcement as a crucial approach to investigating crimes. Dr. Lee shares many interesting stories about his experiences and those of his colleagues, who were instrumental in developing forensic science laboratories in the United States. The second part focuses on careers in forensic science, illustrated by descriptions of high profile cases that required different forensic disciplines, including engineering, accounting, psychology, crime scene investigation, and DNA analysis. These cases also underscore the importance of forensic evidence in criminal and civil cases, national security, environmental protection, and public safety. The third part presents the various specialties in forensic science created by the American Academy of Forensic Science; describes the types of evidence generally analyzed in each area; and lays out the steps one should take to prepare for a career in a particular specialty. Also included is useful information about professional organizations, certification programs and requirements, laboratory opportunities, and university forensic science programs. For those who wish to pursue a career in forensic science or for anyone who is interested in how criminal investigation is really done, this book is a must read.
About the Author: Dr. Henry C. Lee (Branford, CT), professor of forensic science at the University of New Haven and chief emeritus in the Department of Public Safety in Meriden, CT, is a distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. He is the author (with Jerry Labriola, M.D.) of Dr. Henry Lee's Forensic Files and The Budapest Connection, and (with Thomas W. O'Neil) Cracking Cases and Cracking More Cases, among other works. Dr. Lee appeared in Trace Evidence on Court TV (now TruTV). He has also been a special news analyst on Court TV and a frequent guest on Larry King Live, Fox TV shows, and numerous other national television programs.

Elaine M. Pagliaro, MS, JD (Wallingford, CT), is a forensic science consultant and the former assistant director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, where she worked with Dr. Lee for many years. She is an adjunct professor at Quinnipiac University and the University of New Haven. Ms. Pagliaro has published widely in professional journals and her book, Forensic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice (edited with Drs. Rita Hammer and Barbara Moynihan), recently received a book-of-the-year award from the American Journal of Nursing.

Katherine Ramsland, PhD (Bethlehem, PA), has published thirty-four books and over 800 articles about forensic science, serial murder, and forensic psychology. She holds graduate degrees in forensic and clinical psychology, and philosophy. Currently she is chair of the social sciences at DeSales University in Pennsylvania, where she teaches forensic psychology and criminal justice. Her latest books are Beating the Devil's Game: A History of Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation, and The Devil's Dozen: How Cutting-edge Forensics Took Down 12 Notorious Serial Killers.