Rich in content, this handbook describes theories and practices of forensic science to both practitioners and students of the subject. Beginning with a strategic orientation, it identifies the processes needed to make scientifically and legally reliable decisions about the focus, priority and sequence of examinations of laboratory evidence. Providing an in-depth review, it features leading voices in the field and discusses cutting edge topics such as DNA typing, infrared theory, forensic toxicology and common practices employed by crime laboratories.