<p/><br></br><p><b> About the Book </b></p></br></br>"The authors of this practical book are of the opinion that there are many aspects of the interpretation of blood traces that are of concern and have not been treated with the thought or caution that should be afforded them and that existing texts do not sufficiently emphasize the need for interpretations to be made by experienced scientists with strict adherence to the scientific method. At present there are no science-based higher education requirements for bloodstain pattern analysts, although efforts are underway in the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSACs) and the American Standards Board (ASB) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). Thus, this text addresses that situations involving the interpretation of blood trace configurations are often very complex and the difficulties faced in rendering conclusions in this area are among the most scientifically challenging of those in any area of forensic science. It aims to provide an understanding of the scientific basis for the use of blood trace deposits (e.g. bloodstain patterns) at crime scenes to better interpret a criminal event. Three key features that will be valuable to the reader are: To provide fundamental principles for the scientific examination and understanding of blood trace deposits and configurations, within the framework of a holistic crime scene investigation. To dispel commonly accepted misinformation about blood traces. To provide valuable illustrative case examples which will aid in demonstrating concepts discussed throughout the book"--<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br><p><b>A guide to the scientific interpretation of blood traces </b></p> <p><i>Blood Traces</i> provides an authoritative resource that reviews many of the aspects of the interpretation of blood traces that have not been treated with the thoroughness they deserve. With strict adherence to the scientific method, the authors -- noted experts on the topic -- address the complexities encountered when interpreting blood trace configurations. The book provides an understanding of the scientific basis for the use of blood trace deposits, i.e. bloodstain patterns, at crime scenes to better reconstruct a criminal event. </p> <p>The authors define eight overarching principles for the comprehensive analysis and interpretation of blood trace configurations. Three of these principles are: blood traces may reveal a great deal of useful information; extensive blood traces, although present, may not always yield information relevant to questions that may arise in a given case; and a collection of a few seemingly related dried blood droplet deposits is not necessarily an interpretable "pattern". This important resource: </p> <ul> <li>Provides the fundamental principles for the scientific examination and understanding of blood trace deposits and configurations </li> <li>Dispels commonly accepted misinformation about blood traces. </li> <li>Contains a variety of illustrative case examples which will aid in demonstrating the concepts discussed </li> </ul> <p>Written for forensic scientists, crime scene investigators, members of the legal community, and students in these fields, <i>Blood Traces</i> presents the fundamental principles for the scientific examination of blood trace deposits and configurations. </p><p/><br></br><p><b> From the Back Cover </b></p></br></br><p><b>A guide to the scientific interpretation of blood traces</b></p><p><i>Blood Traces</i> provides an authoritative resource that reviews many of the aspects of the interpretation of blood traces that have not been treated with the thoroughness they deserve. With strict adherence to the scientific method, the authors -- noted experts on the topic -- address the complexities encountered when interpreting blood trace configurations. The book provides an understanding of the scientific basis for the use of blood trace deposits, i.e. bloodstain patterns, at crime scenes to better reconstruct a criminal event.</p><p>The authors define eight overarching principles for the comprehensive analysis and interpretation of blood trace configurations. Three of these principles are: blood traces <i>may</i> reveal a great deal of useful information; extensive blood traces, although present, <i>may not</i> always yield information relevant to questions that may arise in a given case; and a collection of a few seemingly related dried blood droplet deposits is not necessarily an interpretable "pattern". This important resource: </p><ul><li>Provides the fundamental principles for the scientific examination and understanding of blood trace deposits and configurations</li><li>Dispels commonly accepted misinformation about blood traces.</li><li>Contains a variety of illustrative case examples which will aid in demonstrating the concepts discussed</li></ul><p>Written for forensic scientists, crime scene investigators, members of the legal community, and students in these fields, <i>Blood Traces</i> presents the fundamental principles for the scientific examination of blood trace deposits and configurations.<p><b>Extract from the Foreword by Distinguished Professor Claude Roux</b></p><p>"By reading this book, if you are a student or a trainee, you have the assurance to start your journey in forensic science on the right path. If you are a practitioner, scientist or lawyer, you can benefit from a fresh perspective having its roots in forensic science foundations; it is never too late to learn. If you are a researcher, you will be inspired and develop impactful and relevant research in the future. And honestly, merely finding a forensic science book about blood without focusing on DNA should encourage you to read it straight away..."</p><p/><br></br><p><b> About the Author </b></p></br></br><p><b>Peter R. De Forest</b> is Professor Emeritus of Criminalistics at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. He has served as a scientific consultant on physical evidence issues for over sixty years.</p><p><b>Peter A. Pizzola</b> is the former Laboratory Director and Assistant Commissioner of the New York City Police Crime Laboratory, former manager of the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Special Investigations Unit and Commanding Officer (retired) of the Yonkers Police Forensic Lab/Crime Scene Unit.</p><p><b>Brooke W. Kammrath</b> is an Associate Professor of Forensic Science at the University of New Haven and Assistant Director of the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science. She also serves as a scientific consultant and expert witness for both criminal and civil cases.</p>