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ANTHROPOLOGY Forensic Anthro http://www.forensicanthro.com/ Lots of links to Forensic Anthropology and Human Osteology on subjects like Anatomy and Physiology, Know Your Bones, Human Dentition, and much more Forensic Anthropology http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/osteo/forensics/ Some helpful illustrated articles on subjects like Estimating Age, Determining Sex, and Calculating Stature Forensic Anthropology Center http://web.utk.edu/~anthrop/index.htm This site is from the University of Tennessee where Dr. William Bass set up the famed body farm. ARCHAEOLOGY Forensic Archaeology http://chicora.org/forensic_archaeology.htm A brief explanation and overview of the science Forensic and Human Skeletal Archaeology http://archaeology.about.com/od/forensic/Forensic_and_Human_Skeletal_Archaeology.htm Why Excavate Human Bones? http://www.spoilheap.co.uk/hsr.htm An introduction and techniques, with photo galleries ARSON & FORENSICS Arson Codes http://arson-codes.com/ This site from the Corporate Investigation Services company, includes some articles and reports on arson Arson and Explosives http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/425/425lect07.htm A brief overview, including definitions of terms and descriptions of explosives Fire Investigation Articles http://www.tcforensic.com.au/docs/index.html Articles on the basics of fire investigation, sampling debris at the fire scene, etc. Kruglick’s Forensic Arson Links http://www.bioforensics.com/kruglaw/f_arson.htm TC Forensic, Australia http://www.tcforensic.com.au/ TC Forensic Pty Ltd was incorporated in 1991 as a service provider to the insurance industry to help determine the causes of fires, and provide laboratory analysis of fire debris samples for liquid petroleum accelerants. Their web site has some case files and articles. The Terrorists Handbook http://www.capricorn.org/~akira/home/terror.html Lots of very interesting information on arson, but this is probably the sort of URL that will put you on a FBI watch list. Maybe if you go the the Mystery Writers of America page afterward... ASSOCIATIONS American Academy of Forensic Sciences http://www.aafs.org/ The AAFS site has online back issues of their professional newsletter, and info on careers and colleges, as well as links. American Board of Criminalists http://www.criminalistics.com/ The ABC is composed of regional and national organizations which represent forensic scientists. The site has rules of professional conduct and their certification program. American Board of Forensic Anthropology http://www.csuchico.edu/anth/ABFA/ The site lists the Board’s certification requirements. American Society of Forensic Document Examiners http://www.asqde.org/ American Board of Forensic Entomology http://research.missouri.edu/entomology/ The site includes the science and history behind forensic entomology, as well as some case studies and additional links. American Board of Forensic Odontology http://www.abfo.org/ The Board’s site includes a database of experts and guidelines on subjects like human identification, bitemarks, and missing person and unidentified body cases. American Board of Forensic Psychology http://www.abfp.com/ They have a directory anyone can use to locate experts by geographical location or area of professional specialty. American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators http://www.slu.edu/organizations/abmdi/ A medicolegal death investigator is a professional having the legal authority to investigate deaths for a medicolegal (medical examiner/coroner) jurisdiction, who performs scene investigations, collects evidence and develops decedents’ medical and social histories to assist the medical examiner/coroner in determining the cause and manner of death. Medicolegal death investigators should have a combination of education and skills encompassing areas of medicine and law.The Board’s site has a copy of “Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator,” as well as certification requirements. American College of Forensic Examiners http://www.acfei.com/ They have a database of experts and selected articles from The Forensic Examiner. Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners http://www.afte.org/ Their site has lots of links about ballistics, as well as links to firearms manufacturers. Forensic Science Society http://www.forensic-science-society.org.uk/ The Forensic Science Society is an international professional body with members in over 60 countries. International Association of Identification http://www.theiai.org/ The IAI site has training and certification information, as well as links including those to a PDF document on the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence/Best Practices for Computer Forensics. AUTOPSIES, EMBALMING & TIME OF DEATH Armed Forces Institute of Pathology http://www.afip.org/Departments/oafme/diagrams.html Autopsy diagrams from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner Death: The Last Taboo http://www.deathonline.net/ Includes a history of death rituals, but also a section on what happens after death, including decomposition, with pictures and a video of a pig that has decomposed through time, as well as body changes that occurs (again with a picture or two, so faint stomachs, beware), forensic evidence used to determine time of death, and a nice database of bacteria and insects, with photos, that are associated with decomposing bodies and which help to determine death time and causes. There’s also a good section on autopsies, including steps taken and instruments used during the process. Embalming http://www.embalming.net/ “Everything you ever wanted to know about embalming.” It includes a history, an overview of techniques, and photos of equipment used during the embalming process. The Routine Autopsy http://www.mysterywriters.org/pages/resources/library/autopsy.htm An overview of autopsy procedures by Ed Uthman, MD Signs of Death http://death.monstrous.com/signs_of_death.htm A brief overview of body decomposition Sudden Death http://poptop.hypermart.net/sudden.html The types of natural sudden death and potential causes The Twenty-Six Stages of Death http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Death/Stages.html A listing of what happens to a corpse from the moment of death up to a period of three weeks after death The Virtual Autopsy http://www.le.ac.uk/pa/teach/va/titlpag1.html A very interesting interactive site with photo illustrations to accompany case histories BLOODSTAINS (SEROLOGY) Bloodspatter http://www.bloodspatter.com/bloodspatter.pdf A PDF document written to better educate Medicolegal Investigators (MIs) on the various basic principles of blood spatter interpretation. It uses some math, but it’s basic geometry mostly. Blood Spatter Interpretation http://www.brazoria-county.com/sheriff/id/blood/index.htm This site includes an overview, rules to consider, terminology, and blood stain patterns Bloodstain Forensics http://www.bloodstain-forensics.com/ Photos, case studies, links Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Fly Artifacts http://www.neiai.org/ This site from the NEIAI contains articles on several aspects of crime scenes and forsensics, and also two powerpoint presentations on bloodstain patterns. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Tutorial http://www.bloodspatter.com/BPATutorial.htm An illustrated guide Distinction of Bloodstains from Fly Artifacts http://wiki.benecke.com/index.php?title=Distinction_of_bloodstains_from_fly_artifacts Forensic scientists may encounter blood spatter at a scene which may be pure or a mixture of fly artifacts and human bloodstains. Serological Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations http://www.crimeandclues.com/90oct008.htm Serology: It’s In the Blood http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/forensics/serology/1.html Case files in which blood analysis played an important role CASE FILES, NEWS & HISTORY Forensics and Investigation http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/forensics/index.html Lots of actual case files showing how forensic science helped solve the crimes Forensic Evidence.com http://forensic-evidence.com/site/MasterIndex.html New articles on Friction Ridge Evidence, Handwriting and Forensic Document Examination, Bite Mark Identification, Firearm and Toolmark Evidence, Lip Prints, Ear Prints, and Other Less Well-known Marks, Miscellaneous Identification and Biometric Evidence, Behavioral Evidence, Biological Evidence, and Law Enforcement Procedures Unloved Crimes http://www.unlovedcrimes.com/ This site uses current homicide investigation techniques, theories, and forensic science to create virtual unsolved murders for viewers to solve. Many of the cases are based on real cases, but they fictional. The purpose of the site is to show the methods investigators use to solve homicides. Any resemblance to real persons is totally coincidental. Visible Proofs http://www.nlm.nih.gov/visibleproofs/ From the National Institutes of Health, Visible Proofs is about the history of forensic medicine. For strong constitutions (there is a disclaimer), you can look at their photo galleries, including one of an actual autopsy being performed. There are also online educational activities and lesson plans. What Every Law Office Should Know About DNA Evidence http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/bc000614.pdf A PDF document from the National Institute of Justice, this is a good but very basic overview of what DNA evidence is, and how to preserve it. COMPUTER FORENSICS Computer Forensics http://www.computer-forensics.co.uk/ An overview, training, types of work performed in computer forensics, types of computer crime Computer Forensic World http://www.computerforensicsworld.com/ Everything you want to know about computer forensics (the use of analytical techniques to identify, collect, preserve, and examine evidence/information which is magnetically stored or encoded) Cybercrime http://www.cybercrime.gov/ The latest from the U.S. Department of Justice CRYPTOGRAPHY Cryptography http://world.std.com/~franl/crypto.html A brief overview of the subject, with additional FAQs and links. Handbook of Applied Cryptography http://www.cacr.math.uwaterloo.ca/hac/ Free downloads of chapters from the book by Alfred J. Menezes, Paul C. van Oorschot and Scott A. Vanstone. Lots of detailed mathematical information. Historical Cryptography http://starbase.trincoll.edu/~crypto/ Information on various historical ciphers such as the Gronsfield Cipher, the German Enigma Cipher, and even an article on Edgar Allan Poe and Crytography. Contains some applets, downloads, and tools. Introduction to Cryptography http://www.ssh.com/support/cryptography/introduction/ A good beginners guide, of sorts, with basic terminology, basic algrorithms and such, in mostly general language. Overview of Cryptography http://www.garykessler.net/library/crypto.html A nice general overview of cryptography with an intro, trust models, and algorithms. DNA Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/codis/index1.htm The FBI Laboratory's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) blends forensic science and computer technology into an effective tool for solving violent crimes. CODIS enables federal, state, and local crime labs to exchange and compare DNA profiles electronically, thereby linking crimes to each other and to convicted offenders. DNA.gov http://www.dna.gov/basics/biology The site includes a history of DNA evidence, collection methods, and general information. DNA in the Criminal Justice System http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/netgov/html/research_dna_cj_labs.htm A map with clickable links to forensic labs by state in the U.S. DNA Testing: An Introduction For Non-Scientists http://www.scientific.org/tutorials/articles/riley/riley.html How DNA Evidence Works http://www.howstuffworks.com/dna-evidence.htm A nice overview and links. Innocence Project http://www.innocenceproject.org/know/ The Innocence Project is a non-profit legal clinic affiliated with the Cardozo School of Law dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice. The site includes case files. Small Police Department Forensics & DNA http://www.iape.org/EvidenceLog/2005-01/forensics-n-d-n-a.html A glimpse at how a small to mid-size Central Virginia police department leveraged its time, energy, and resources to develop a model forensic program that has served to both identify criminals and make a community safer. DOCUMENT EXAMINATION & HANDWRITING ANALYSIS Emily J. Will Forensic Document Examiner http://www.qdewill.com/ Articles and information on the tools of the trade from the same expert listed under “Forensic Document Examinaton” Forensic Document Examination http://www.forensic.to/webhome/qdewill/ Includes information on handwriting analysis, printing processes used to create documents, restoring faced writing, and the tools used in document examination and reconstruction Handwriting, Typing, Shoeprints, and Tire Treads http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/backissu/april2001/held.htm Despite its title, this FBI document deals primarily with handwriting and document analysis Identifont http://www.identifont.com/index.html Identify a font by answering a few questions Omniglot http://www.omniglot.com/ A guide to writing systems around the world Virtual Typewriter Museum http://www.typewritermuseum.org/ A virtual museum which is based on various collections from around the world. Weinberger Kidnapping http://www.fbi.gov/libref/historic/famcases/weinber/weinbernew.htm A case solved by the FBI in which they looked at almost 2,000,000 samples of writing to find a suspect. What the Font http://www.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/ Scan text, upload the image, and this site will identify the font. EAR MARKS AND IDENTIFICATION Ear Identification http://www.crimeandclues.com/earprint.htm Gives a history of such evidence and a brief overview Ear Identification Research http://www.forensic-evidence.com/site/ID/ID00004_4.html If a person places his ear against the hard surface of a door in an attempt to overhear what people may be talking about behind the door, the eavesdropper may well leave an impression of his ear on the door's surface--an impression that can be "developed" much like a latent fingerprint at a crime scene can be made visible. Earology http://www.earidentification.net/ Excerpts from the book Ear Identification by Alfred Victor Iannarelli, with lots of information on classification and how-to’s. Police Play It By Ear http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/246713.stm Police are compiling what is believed to be the world's largest computer database of ear prints to be used in the same way as fingerprint evidence in linking suspects to crimes. ENTOMOLOGY American Board of Forensic Entomology http://research.missouri.edu/entomology/ Includes a brief overview and history, as well as case studies and links Forensic Entomology at Department of Agriculture, Western Australia http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/ento/forensic.htm The bottom of this page has information on collecting evidence from a corpse and links to insect photos European Association for Forensic Entomology http://www.eafe.org/ Includes links to identifying various insects Forensic Entomology http://www.forensic-entomology.com/ Everything you wanted to know about insects in legal investigations Forensic Entomology Pages http://www.forensic-entomology.info/forens_ent/forensic_entomology.html Includes a layperson’s introduction, as well as the stages of body decomposition and how insects are associated with each, common insects, analyzing and collecting evidence from the crime scene, case histories, as well as the use of arthropods in investigation of contraband trafficking Natural History Museum of London http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/life/insects-spiders/webcast-forensicentomology/forensic-entomology.html This is a 23-minute video with the museum’s entomologist who explains how forensic entomology works; you will need the Quicktime player of Windows Media/Real Player. The Why Files: CSI Fly http://whyfiles.org/014forensic/index.php?g=2.txt Aimed at kids, this is a nice and brief overview of the science FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION & FORENSIC ARTISTS Facial Reconstruction http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/research/anthropology/crsp/arccrsppearlstfacial.html A step-by-step pictorial description of the reconstruction process from skull to sculpture Forensic Artist http://www.forensicartist.com/index.html News and articles Forensic Artist Certification http://www.theiai.org/certifications/artist/index.php Certification requirements by the International Association for Identification Harvey Pratt http://www.harveypratt.com/ Considered one of the leading forensic artists in the United States, Harvey has spent over 40 years in law enforcement, completing thousands of witness description drawings and hundreds of soft tissue reconstructions. Harvey is a Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal member and is recognized as an accomplished master Native American Indian artist. Project Edan http://www.projectedan.us The Forensic Artists of Project EDAN donate their work to make facial reconstructions for Law Enforcement Agencies that do not have access to or funding for a qualified Forensic Artist. Sculptural Forensics http://www.sculpturalforensics.com/ A step-by-step process of how it’s done FINGERPRINTS Complex Latent Print Examination http://www.clpex.com/ Lots of reference articles, including the history of fingerprints, although definitely on the technical side Fingerprints for Dummies http://www.neiai.org/articles_files/fingerprints_for_dummies_mar05.pdf The FAQs on these pages have resulted from the most common questions the www.onin.com webmaster has received. Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/iafis.htm The Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, more commonly known as IAFIS, is a national fingerprint and criminal history system maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. The IAFIS provides automated fingerprint search capabilities, latent searching capability, electronic image storage, and electronic exchange of fingerprints and responses, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Latent Print Examination http://onin.com/fp/ Articles for experts and how crime scene investigators can help protect evidence; even has an “Ask the Expert” section Latent Prints http://www.latent-prints.com/ Includes a link to an Interpol document outlining methods and procedures for use in the identification of fingerprints, as well as legal issues and articles on identification critera and processing techniques Michael Triplett’s Fingerprint Dictionary http://www.nwlean.net/fprints/index.htm A dictionary of fingerprint terminology Ridges and Furrows http://www.ridgesandfurrows.homestead.com/ A history, new advances in digital image enhancement and how techniques such as FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) can help in analyzing fingerprints found at crime scenes, and articles on subjects like “Friction Skin Anatomy” and “Friction Skin Growth” Selection & Sequencing of Latent Fingerprint Processing http://www.cbdiai.org/Reagents/main.html This is a very technical site, but has a lot of detailed information about the various types of equipment and materials used to test for fingerprints on different surfaces. It might help to have a little chemistry in your background, but very interesting, nonetheless. Superglue to the Rescue http://www.detectoprint.com/article.htm Scarcely visible fingerprint evidence can be saved with proper fuming. The World of Fingerprints http://www.fingerprints.tk/ An educational guide with lots of illustrated examples and a “try it yourself” section FOOTWEAR & TIRE TREADS Chesapeake Area Shoeprint and Tire Track http://members.aol.com/varfee/mastssite/home.html CAST is a consortium of Footwear & Tire Track examiners in the mid-Atlantic. Their web site has useful articles on the subject of shoe and tire treads in crime scene investigation, including a directory of footwear manufacturers. Estimation of Stature from Foot and Shoeprint Length http://www.neiai.org/ In the articles section of this NEIAI site, there is a link to a PDF document which gives an overview of the subject. There’s also a link to estimation of stature tables. Footwear, the Missed Evidence http://www.crimeandclues.com/footwear.htm Footwear and Tire Track Evidence http://www.iape.org/DownLoads/WCSO/footwear_and_tire_track_evidence.htm A good basic overview of evidence collection, from the International Association for Property and Evidence Footwear & Tire Track Impression Evidence http://members.aol.com/varfee/mastssite/home.html Databases for manufacturers of shoes and tires, and instructions on lifting evidence Footwear Impression Photography http://www.geocities.com/cfpdlab/fip.html This article is to discuss the process of recording footwear impressions on film. Shoeprint and Tire http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/handbook/intro14.htm A descriptive site from the FBI with good general information on how casts and impressions are taken of such evidence Shoeprint Expert Testimony http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/Simpson/Bodziak.html This is a transcript of testimony given by FBI Special Agent William Bodziak in 1995 in a trial in which he explains the steps he took to collect and qualify the evidence being used in the trial at hand. It shows how such evidence can play a part in criminal cases. Shoe/Tire Impression Casting http://www.redwop.com/minutiae.asp?action=showArticle&ID=264 Shoe and tire impressions in dirt, sand or snow can be recovered by a combination of photographic techniques and making a cast of the impression -- a discussion of lightning powder and snow print wax. GENERAL FORENSIC SITES & INFORMATION A Beginner's Primer on the Investigation of Forensic Evidence http://www.scientific.org/tutorials/articles/kruglick/kruglick.html A nice overview, or what they don’t show you on TV Conducting Forensic Science: A Tutorial For Mystery Writers http://www.writing-world.com/mystery/forensics.shtml A good, and brief, overview Crime Lab Project http://www.crimelabproject.com/ A non-profit organization started by writers and producers to increase awareness of the problems facing public forensic science agencies. Crimeline http://www.crimezzz.net/forensic_history/index.htm A history of forensic science and crime, in timeline format Daily Forensic News http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/forensics/ Up-to-date headlines, particularly relating to science and technology behind forensics D.P. Lyle, MD’s Writers’ Medical and Forensic Lab http://www.dplylemd.com/ Dr. Lyle is the the Macavity Award winning and Edgar Award nominated author of the non-fiction books Murder and Mayhem: A Doctor Answers Medical and Forensic Questions for Mystery Writers and Forensics For Dummies, in addition to thrillers, and has worked as a consultant for various TV shows like “CSI: Miami.” His site includes some articles and links and a Q&A section. Explore Forensics http://www.exploreforensics.co.uk/ ExploreForensics contains articles written by their team of experts, with new articles added each month on subjects such as evidence analysis (e.g. ballistics, fingerprints, fibers/hair, etc.), pathology (DNA, serology), and types of forensics. FBI Handbook of Forensic Science http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/handbook/forensics.pdf Procedures on submitting evidence, evidence examinations, crime scene safety, crime scene searches, etc. Forensic Databases: Paint, Shoe Prints, and Beyond http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/journals/258/forensic-databases.html An overview of the various databases currently availablel to forensic scientists and law enforcement Forensic Evidence http://www.forensic-evidence.com/ Although this site hasn’t been updated much since 2005, there are archived articles on Evidence Law, Friction Ridge Evidence, Handwriting and Forensic Document Examination, Bite Mark ID, Firearm and Toolmark Evidence, Lip Prints, Ear Prints, and Other Less Well-known Marks and Miscellaneous Identification and Biometric Evidence. Forensics FAQ http://forensicsfaq.com/ Provides succinct overviews of various sub-disciplines within forensics, adding new articles to the database frequently which often include case studies and histories. Forensic Laboratory Database http://forensics.ca/phpcode/web/lab1.php Although this site is from Canada, is has a searchable worldwide directory of forensic labs in a variety of disciplines Forensic NetBase http://www.forensicnetbase.com/ A bibliography (and store) of books on various subjects related to forensics Forensic Science http://www.forensic-science.com/ This is a commercial site offering books and online courses, but it also has a free library of articles on Criminal Profiling, Digital Evidence, Education, Forensic Science, and Legal Issues. Forensic Science Central http://forensicsciencecentral.bravehost.com/index.html A site with lots of informational pages on forensic science, including actual case files, definitions of the various types of forensics fields, and articles on subjects like trace evidence. There’s also a link to the Forensics and Crime discussion board Forensic Science Communications http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/current/index.htm Forensic Science Communications is a peer-reviewed forensic science journal published quarterly by FBI Laboratory personnel. The issues are included online, with lots of more scholarly articles on various topics such as “A New Approach for the Analysis of Duct Tape Backings,” “Fundamental Frequency Analysis of a Metal Baseball Bat,” The Boiling Technique: A Method for Obtaining Quality Postmortem Impressions from Deteriorating Friction Ridge Skin” and “A New Approach for the Extraction of DNA from Postage Stamps.” Includes pages of information on hairs, fibers, crime, and evidence <http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/backissu/july2000/deedric1.htm> Forensic Scientists http://www.policensw.com/info/forensic/forensic1.html Descriptions of the various types of forensic experts Handbook of Forensic Services http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/handbook/intro.htm The purpose of the Handbook of Forensic Services is to provide guidance and procedures for safe and efficient methods of collecting, preserving, packaging, and shipping evidence and to describe the forensic examinations performed by the FBI’s Laboratory Division and Investigative Technology Division. So, if your book’s local law enforcement officer needs to send materials off to the FBI Lab, this will tell you how they want it done. K9 Forensic http://www.k9forensic.org/faq.html What is the difference between a search dog, cadaver dog, decomp dog and a forensic evidence dog? An overview Dr. Henry Lee http://www.drhenrylee.com/learn/ Over the past 40 years, Lee assisted in the investigations of more than 6,000 cases. There are some general articles about forensics on his site. NecroSearch International http://www.necrosearch.org/ NecroSearch is a non-profit organization that specializes in the search for clandestine gravesites. The site has some basic information on methodology. Virtual Exhibit on Forensic Science http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Myst/ In addition to a history of forensic science and an interactive game, this site from a consortium of Canadian law enforcement and museum officials also includes a database of forensic science, with overview articles on topics like Alcohol Analysis, Document Identification and Forgery, Entomology, and Trace Evidence. GEOLOGY Forensic Geology http://www.forensicgeology.net/ Web page of Dr. Ray Murray, a forensic geologist since 1973 KNOTS AND LIGATURES Death by Strangulation http://lifeloom.com/II4Aggrawal.htm A case involving the expertise of Dr. Anil Aggrawal, professor of Forensic Medicine Forensic Knot Expert Witness http://www.forensic-knots.co.uk/guild_knots.htm The web site for Mike Lucas, Forensic Knot Specialist A Guide to the Physical Analysis of Ligature Patterns in Homicide Investigations http://www.corpus-delicti.com/ligature.html The definition for ligature homicide in this work is concerned specifically with cases in which the victim has been garroted. This term applies to cases where an assailant has placed a ligature around a victim's neck and has tightened it for purposes of controlling, silencing, and/or killing the victim. Commonly documented examples of ligatures include, but are by no means limited to: ropes, neckties, scarves, stockings, metal wires, shoe/boot-laces, necklaces, clotheslines, sweaters, brassieres, belts, and electrical cords. Unravelling Crime http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/gazette/vol69no2/knot_e.htm A Q&A with Cpl John Van Tassel, an expert in forensic knot analysis (FKA). LINGUISTICS & PHONETICS Forensic Linguistics Institute http://www.thetext.co.uk/ Includes an overview, examples of what forensic linguistics entails, and actual cases using the science in court. Forensic Linguists Mailing List http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/forensic-linguistics.html An archive of postings on this listing Forensic Phonetics Careers http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/previous_issues/articles/1680/forensic_phonetics/(parent)/158 Is the voice of the suspect the same as the one whispering a bomb threat on a police tape recording? How many people were arguing in the room held under audio surveillance, and what was the argument about? From which part of Germany is the person who made the anonymous blackmail call just the night before? Was the captain under the influence of alcohol while talking to the coast guard after he had run his ship into a bridge pier? These are just a few questions an expert in speaker recognition has to deal with every day. As soon as a case involves human speech or acoustic clues of any kind, the expertise of a forensic phonetician is required. International Association of Forensic Linguistics http://www.iafl.org The International Association of Forensic Linguists (IAFL) is an organization which primarily consists of linguists whose work involves them in the law. International Association for Forensic Phonetics and Acoustics http://www.iafpa.net/ IAFPA seeks to foster research and provide a forum for the interchange of ideas and information on practice, development and research in forensic phonetics and acoustics, and set down and enforce standards of professional conduct and procedure for those involved in forensic phonetic and acoustic casework. Literary Forensics http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/forensics/literary/4.html Forensic linguistics and the Unibomber case Rock and Roll and Forensic Linguistics http://thelanguageguy.blogspot.com/2006/05/rock-and-roll-and-forensic-linguistics.html A blog entry from “The Language Guy” Roger Shuy http://www.rogershuy.com/ Web site for forensic linguist Shuy which includes resources for students and lawyers (although you’ll need to register free first). Also includes an audio file of his two-hour lecture on forensic linguistics at the U of Montana Law School. What is Forensic Linguistics? http://www.languageandlaw.org/FORENSIC.HTM A good and brief overview of the science What is Forensic Phonetics? http://www.emsah.uq.edu.au/linguistics/teaching/ling2005/forensic.htm#Important%20Issues Includes an overview, issues, and articles on speaker identification, transcriptions, authentification of recordings, Australian cases, references, and links MEDICINE/PATHOLOGY Anil Aggrawal’s Popular Forensic Medicine Page http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/williamson/235/ Aggrawal is Professor of Forensic Medicine at the Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India. His site is mostly a set of links to other forensic sites, but he also has a link to a page on Popular Forensic Medicine where he discusses science in crime detection (“When did the murder take place?”, “Who Handled the Gun?”, etc.), a link to his Yahoo discussion group on criminal poisoning, and a link to his Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, with archives articles on various subjects related to forensic medicine. Bodies From Water http://www.dundee.ac.uk/forensicmedicine/notes/water.pdf A look at drowning and its effects upon a body, including determinations as to whether a body was dead before being placed in the water Forensic Medicine for Medical Students http://www.forensicmed.co.uk/ This site has a disclaimer that it’s not for minors due to the images of wounds, bodies, and violence. The Wound section includes images and descriptions of various types of wounds, from abrasions to bite marks to incised wounds; the Firearms sections has tutorials on the types of wounds guns can cause depending upon various factors; the Autopsy section has a procedural description; the Asphyxia section talks about strangulation and the effects on the body; there’s an Animal Anatomy section, since the the forensic pathologist and anthropologist must have some knowledge of comparative anatomy to be able to distinguish between human remains and those of animals; and there are additional areas for legal issues, articles, and links. Forensic Pathology http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/FORHTML/FORIDX.html Includes tutorials on firearm injuries and drug abuse pathologies, as well as lots of images pertaining to blunt force and physical trauma, environmental accidents, drug abuse and poisoning, trauma with sharp instruments, and of course the firearm injuries. If you want to see what an exit gunshot wound looks like, this is the place. PathMax http://www.pathmax.com/main.html A site devoted to links on the subject of various pathologies, it includes a section for forensic pathology. META-SITES ON FORENSICS Carpenter’s Forensic Science Resources http://www.tncrimlaw.com/forensic/ An extensive bibliography of forensic science resources indexed by physical, bio/life, and behavioral sciences, with categorized links to forensics sites. Kruglick’s Forensic Links http://www.bioforensics.com/kruglaw/forensic.htm From the staff at Forensic Bioinformatics, another Web bibliography of forensic science links. Michigan State University Forensic Science Links http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/crimjust/forsci.htm Loads o’ annotated links Reddy’s Forensic Home Page http://www.forensicpage.com/ A forensics page by Reddy P. Chamakura, who spent 36 years as a forensic scientist with Police Laboratory, New York City Police Department, this page includes news and links galore on just about every topic related to forensic science Zeno’s Forensic Site http://forensic.to/forensic.html Another site with loads of links by Dr. Zeno Geradts with the Netherlands Forensic Institute. NURSING Forensic Nursing http://www.forensicnurse.org/about/aboutWork.cfm Forensic Nursing is the application of nursing science to public or legal proceedings, as well as the application of the forensic aspects of health care combined with the bio-psycho-social education of the registered nurse in the scientific investigation and treatment of trauma and/or death of victims and perpetrators of abuse, violence, criminal activity and traumatic accidents. Forensic Nursing Resource Homepage http://www.fnrh.freeserve.co.uk/index1.html A listing of links about forensic nursing, primarily from a European standpoint ODONTOLOGY (BITE MARKS) Bite Mark Analysis http://www.crimeandclues.com/bite_mark.htm This article gives a good overview of bite mark evidence, including a very brief history, the importance of digital photography in such evidence, and the case of Ted Bundy, which was solved in part by bite mark evidence. Forensic Dentistry: Issues in Human and Animal Bite Mark Analysis http://www.forensic.to/webhome/bitemarks/ Links and a discussion of how bite mark impressions are handled Forensic Dentistry Online http://www.forensicdentistryonline.org/ Articles on bitemarks, identification, and many links PALYNOLOGY (POLLEN) Forensic Palynology http://www.crimeandclues.com/pollen.htm Palynology is the branch of science concerned with the study of pollen, spores , and similar palynomorphs, living and fossil PHOTOGRAPHY Forensic Photography http://www.neiai.org/ This site from the NEIAI has three powerpoint presentations on forensic photography (which require that you have the Powerpoint software) PSYCHIATRY & PSYCHOLOGY David Willshire’s Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry (and Cycling!) Links http://members.optushome.com.au/dwillsh/ Forensic Psychiatry http://www.forensic-psych.com/ A look at the legal side of the subject, at what forensic psychiatrists contribute to court cases Forensic Psychiatry and Medicine http://www.forensic-psych.com/ This page, by Harold J. Bursztain, MD, provides “lots of information on the role of Forensic Psychiatrists in expert witness testimony, managed health care, and more.” Forensic Psychology http://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/links/index.cfm?subid=166 Lot of links to relevant sites SCIENCE, GENERAL & CRIME-RELATED Chem Finder http://chemfinder.cambridgesoft.com/ ChemFinder.Com is a portal of free and subscription scientific databases (Reference, Chemical, Reaction, and Safety). It’s very scientific, but if you want to know the properties of a chemical or reactions, you can find them here. Gene Almanac http://www.dnalc.org/home.html The Gene Almanac covers broad topics, including basic heredity, genetic disorders, eugenics, the discovery of the structure of DNA, DNA sequencing, cancer, and plant genetics. They also have some content available in off-line media (CD-ROM or DVD). Live Science http://www.livescience.com/ This web site has updated news reports and articles on Space, Animals, Health, Environment, Technology, History and “Strange News.” They also have RSS feeds to which you can subscribe. MadSciNet http://www.madsci.org/ A site where you can ask science questions and get answers, as well as search through thousands of archived questions and answers Media Resource http://www.mediaresource.org/scistacks.shtml MediaResource is a Public Understanding of Science Program of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, with a mission of linking journalists and scientists. There are science links and news and a section for journalists seeking expert resources to e-mail questions. Although this is intended for the media, it might be a good resource for crime fiction writers, and certainly if you’re writing mystery-themed nonfiction articles. Popular Science Blog http://popsci.typepad.com/ A blog from the print publication of the same name which includes free articles on various science subjects Science Daily http://www.sciencedaily.com/ Up-to-date science news Scientific American Ask the Experts http://www.sciam.com/askexpert_directory.cfm This site from the magazine by the same name, has a section where you can ask science questions. There’s also an archive section. SOIL SCIENCE Analysis and Collection of Soil Samples http://www.crimeandclues.com/soil_analysis.htm The history of soil evidence, how it’s collection, how it’s processed in the lab The Centre for Australian Forensic Soil Science http://www.clw.csiro.au/cafss/index.html The CAFSS)is the first formal worldwide network of soil and forensic scientists that combines research, training and services in soil forensics to fight crime, terrorism and environmental pollution. The CAFSS has been actively involved in soils forensic work, assisting police forces, government agencies and non-government organisations with the search, location and recovery of soil and mineral samples from crime and environmental disaster scenes in Australia and overseas. Forensic Examination of Soil Evidence http://www.interpol.int/Public/Forensic/IFSS/meeting13/Reviews/Soil.pdf A PDF from the 13th Interpol Forensic Science Symposium TOXICOLOGY Alan Barbour’s Forensic Toxicology Page http://home.lightspeed.net/~abarbour/links.htm Links to experts, labs, and web sites Forensic Toxicology http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/forensics/toxicology/10.html A look case files and how forensic toxicology was used to solve the crimes. Forensic Toxicology from North Carolina Wesleyan College http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/425/425lect14.htm Includes a list of common poisons and their symptoms, tables of the most frequently reported poisonings compared to the most frequent deaths by poisoning, and other basic principles of the science. WWW Virtual Library on Forensic Toxicology http://home.lightspeed.net/~abarbour/vlibft.html Lots of links about forensic toxicology, the analysis of alcohol, drugs, and poisons in body fluids and the interpretation of those analytical results for the benefit of the courts. TRACE EVIDENCE Condom Trace Evidence http://www.crimeandclues.com/condoms.htm Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory http://www.ct.gov/dps/cwp/view.asp?a=2155&q=315018 A discussion of trace evidence including three case studies FBI Trace Evidence and DNA Analysis http://www.teachingtools.com/HeadJam/index.htm A teaching guide, this page looks primarily at hairs and fibers, with a smattering of DNA and paint evidence; also includes a small glossary and study questions FBI Trace Evidence Powerpoint Presentation www.forensicsiscool.com/TraceEvidence.ppt You’ll need the Powerpoint software to view this very nice overview of hair and fiber evidence Forensic Hair Analysis http://www.cbc.ca/disclosure/archives/031126_evidence/hair.html A case study: in court, the jury heard how three hairs tired James Driskell to the victim. But years later the science of hair analysis has come under scrutiny, and now Driskell’s conviction is in question. Hair Evidence http://www.crimeandclues.com/hair_evidence.htm The history of hair evidence, the six main methods of collection, the structure of hair, its identification (animal or human, e.g.), and toxicology considerations. Hairs, Fibers, Crime, and Evidence http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/backissu/july2000/deedrick.htm Part I: An overview of hair evidence, hair microscopy, hair anatomy and growth, animal hairs, human hairs and: body determination, racial determination, age and sex determination, treatment and removal, biological and environmental alteration; Part II: Fiber Evidence; Part III, Hair & Fiber Crime and Evidence Interpretation, Collection, and Preservation of Glass Fragments http://www.crimeandclues.com/glass_evidence.htm Michigan State Police: Trace Evidence http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1593_3800-15961--,00.html An overview of various types of such evidence Trace Evidence http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/forensics/trace/1.html A study of trace evidence, using the somewhat controversial case of serial killer Wayne Williams who was convicted in part by the use of fiber evidence Trace Evidence Recovery http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/backissu/oct1999/trace.htm Procedures and guidelines from the FBI on how to preserve trace evidence at crime scenes