crime laboratories

Forensic anthropologist Bill Bass traces the rise of modern forensic science, highlighting key cases and describing the forensic methods used to investigate crimes, explaining how they can determine time of death, detect trace elements, extract DNA, and decipher crime scene clues.

High school senior and science whiz Nearly Boswell, called Leigh, is thrilled when she gets an internship in a forensic science lab, since it is a step toward college and a way out of the trailer park--but soon she finds herself the target of a serial killer, one who seems to know a lot about the residents of Sunny View Trailer Park as well as her absent father's secrets.

Nancy, helping out with a "chemystery" camp, a special forensics program for high school students, finds herself with a real mystery to solve when the professor who runs the camp suddenly falls into an unexplained coma.

High school senior and science whiz Nearly Boswell, called Leigh, is thrilled when she gets an internship in a forensic science lab, since it is a step toward college and a way out of the trailer park--but soon she finds herself the target of a serial killer, one who seems to know a lot about the residents of Sunny View Trailer Park as well as her absent father's secrets.

Forensic science, the preparation of scientific evidence to be presented in court is an increasingly valuable aspect of the investigation of crime. Although rare commentaries on the subject date back many centuries, it is only over the last 200 years that a systematic approach has been made, an approach that has accelerated rapidly in the past half-century. The detection and analysis of poisons was the first forensic technique to be developed in a truly scientific manner. This was followed by the realization that fingerprints were unique to every individual; then came the methodical study of firearms the science of ballistics. The role of the medical examiner has become more important as understanding of the human body has increased and DNA analysis has succeeded in positively identifying a growing number of criminals. Forensic science is crucial for prosecuting crimes as well as protecting the innocent.

Forensic scientist Bill Bass describes his decades of work at the University of Tennessee's Anthropology Research Facility, a hillside lab dedicated to the study of human decomposition, and discusses several criminal cases.

High school senior and science whiz Nearly Boswell, called Leigh, is thrilled when she gets an internship in a forensic science lab, since it is a step toward college and a way out of the trailer park--but soon she finds herself the target of a serial killer, one who seems to know a lot about the residents of Sunny View Trailer Park as well as her absent father's secrets.

In April 2003, the new FBI Crime Lab was opened and dedicated to the memory of all crime victims. At 500,000 sq. ft. and equipped with the most modern equipment, it is considered one of the finest crime labs in the world. All the efforts are focused on using modern forensic science in order to solve crimes.

Discusses the work of police and FBI laboratories dedicated to the scientific study of criminal evidence.