<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I don't feel the need to reiterate the praises that have been given this book as to its usefulness for latent print examiners. I can say, however, that this book is great for students of forensic science (like myself) or the average reader as well. Unlike popular accounts of forensic science, it is not thrilling or adventurous. Those types of books will tell you that a person can leave a fingerprint at a scene, an investigator can find it, and then match it up in a database. Slim on the details, high on the "excitement" scale. And unlike the average MFS class, it is not dry, boring, and intended to give you only enough knowledge to do some damage. So, for those of us interested in how forensic science -actually- works, and in depth, this book is a great textbook covering all aspects of fingerprint analysis. It includes a particularly good chapter detailing nothing but the ways that fingerprints are formed in vitro - their creation, topology, and cross-section. It includes detail on the many ways that a print can be deposited, as well as the different substrates and surfaces they can be deposited on, and the types of distortion that each of these can cause. This book is not light reading, but if you are truly interested in learning more about how fingerprints work, and how analysts can identify them, then you should have no trouble enjoying this book. If I were to point out only one flaw, it would be that Ashbaugh's agenda is too much in the fore. I would rather read about how fingerprints are analyzed than hear propaganda backing up the field as a legitimate science. His analysis in and of itself is adequate to illustrate the scientific principles underlying latent print analysis. It would have been more interesting for him to mention some of the reasons people believe that it is -not- a legitimate science, and refute those through simply through the precision of his text.
Rating:
Summary: Ridgeology will change your life!
Review: If you are a latent print examiner, this book is an absolute must have. Friction ridge skin is unique and persistent. Ridgeolgy will give you a better understanding of friction ridge skin. The book also will also help you explain what you see when you make an identification. If you live in the world of point counters, this book will shock and amaze you. David Ashbaugh is a true visionary in the forensic identification world. This book should be in every crime scene investigator's library.
Rating:
Summary: Ridgeology will change your life!
Review: If you are a latent print examiner, this book is an absolute must have. Friction ridge skin is unique and persistent. Ridgeolgy will give you a better understanding of friction ridge skin. The book also will also help you explain what you see when you make an identification. If you live in the world of point counters, this book will shock and amaze you. David Ashbaugh is a true visionary in the forensic identification world. This book should be in every crime scene investigator's library.
Rating:
Summary: This book is a must read for all latent print examiners
Review: This is an excellant book for all latent print examiners. The book goes into great detail that may not be understood by the average reader not familiar with the science. The book covers the philosophy, methodology, premises, and history of fingerprint identification. This should be the reference book used by all examiners.
Rating:
Summary: This book is a must read for all latent print examiners
Review: This is an excellant book for all latent print examiners. The book goes into great detail that may not be understood by the average reader not familiar with the science. The book covers the philosophy, methodology, premises, and history of fingerprint identification. This should be the reference book used by all examiners.
<< 1 >>
| 
