Forensics is the examination, through physical evidence, of a criminal event or incident. Learn about the various types of forensic disciplines and how they are used to bring the guilty to justice.

Related Categories:

> Acoustics
> Chemistry
> Energy Production
> Nuclear Science
> Optics
> Physics

REFERENCE LINKS

Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:

Layton, Julia. "How Crime Scene Investigation Works." 02 December 2005. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/csi.htm> 18 May 2008.

by Julia Layton

Inside This Article

Introduction to How Crime Scene Investigation Works

At the Crime Scene: Scene Recognition

At the Crime Scene: Scene Documentation

At the Crime Scene: Finding the Evidence

Evidence Collection

Analyzing the Evidence: Forensic Science

Lots More Information

See all Forensic Science articles

Lots More Information

More Great Links

Sources

Baldwin, Hayden B., M/Sgt, Retired. "Basic Equipment for Crime Scene Investigators."
http://www.feinc.net/equipmt.htm

Byrd, Mike. "Duty Description for the Crime Scene Investigator." Crime Scene Investigation.
http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/dutydescription.html

Byrd, Mike. "Other Impression Evidence." Crime Scene Investigation.
http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/otherimpressionevidence.html

CBI Forensic Laboratory Physical Evidence Handbook, Version 4.02, September 2002
http://cbi.state.co.us/lab/pdf/Physical%20Evidence%20Handbook%20v4.02.pdf

Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
http://cbi.state.co.us/lab/default.asp

"Crime pays for clean-up crew." Kansas City Business Journal.
http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2001/03/12/smallb1.html

"Crime Scene Investigator." Forensic Enterprises, Inc.
http://www.feinc.net/csi-desc.htm

"Crime Scene Response Guidelines." Crime Scene Investigation.
http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/respon1.html

"How to Become a CSI." ICSIA.
http://www.icsia.org/faq.html

Interview with Joe Clayton, Laboratory Agent, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, November 3, 2005

"Latent Print Evidence Collection Guidance." Latent Print Examination.
http://onin.com/fp/lpcollection.html

"Personnel Duties and Responsibilities." Crime Scene Investigation.
http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/respon2.html

Ramsland, Katherine. "All About Crime Scene Analysis." Court TV's Crime Library.
http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/forensics/crimescene/1.html

Ruslander, H.W., S.C.S.A. "Searching and Examining a Major Case Crime Scene."
http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/searchingandexamining.html