Forensic Investigation of Stolen-Recovered and Other Crime-Related Vehicles

Forensic Investigation of Stolen-Recovered and Other Crime-Related Vehicles is the ultimate reference guide for any auto theft investigator, crime scene technician, criminalist, police investigator, criminologist, or insurance adjuster. In addition to a thorough treatment of auto theft, the book covers vehicles involved in other forms of crime—dealing extensively with the various procedures and dynamics of evidence as it might be left in any crime scene. An impressive collection of expert contributors covers a wide variety of subjects, including chapters on vehicle identification, examination of burned vehicles, vehicles recovered from under water, vehicles involved in terrorism, vehicle tracking, alarms, anti-theft systems, steering columns, and ignition locks. The book also covers such topics as victim and witness interviews, public and private auto theft investigations, detection of trace evidence and chemical traces, vehicle search techniques, analysis of automotive fluids, vehicle registration document examination, and vehicle crime mapping.

* Extensively researched and exceptionally well-written by internationally-recognized experts in auto theft investigation and forensic science
* All the principles explained in the text are well-illustrated and demonstrated with more than 450 black and white and about 100 full-color illustrations, many directly from real cases
* Serves as both a valuable reference guide to the professional and an effective teaching tool for the forensic science student

Too often, stolen-recovered vehicles are not technically investigated - partly due to time constraints, but also due to a lack of education on how to conduct a forensic investigation in a vehicle. This unique handbook, written by an impressive collection of international experts, will be addressed both to the beginner and the advanced practicing investigator, providing comprehensive coverage of the technical aspects of forensic vehicle theft investigation. The proposed work will apply the same concepts that are used in crime scene investigation to stolen-recovered vehicles, with some variations inherent to the nature of the vehicle, the offense committed, and the circumstances surrounding the crime scene.

On a larger scale, the book will explain vehicular related fluids, various states a vehicle might be found in, and how evidence might be encountered in a vehicle. Since many stolen cars are involved in many other forms of crime, this book will provide crime scene technicians as well as accident investigators an additional resource outlining the various procedures and dynamics of evidence as it might be left in a crime unrelated to the vehicle theft.

- The contributors to this book are international experts.
- The book is a comprehensive reference for the professional, covering numerous advanced investigative tools; as such, it would also serve as an invaluable training tool.
- Excellent organization makes for fast retrieval of information