Crime & Clues

Mute Witnesses: Trace Evidence Analysis

By Max M. Houck

Review by Daryl W. Clemens

The publishers of this book were kind enough to send me a review copy. They probably gave up on me quite some time ago, I've just been too busy with other projects to write this review. Which is a shame. This is one of the best forensic science related books I've ever read. One might think that trace evidence is not the most exciting subject, but once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down.

The book is edited by Max Houck (formerly of the FBI lab), and the authors are all among the top names in the trace evidence field. The authors spend some time lamenting the lack of interest in trace evidence now that DNA evidence is on the scene, but they have a point. Some cases aren't going to be solved with DNA and if we don't continue to train people in trace analysis we are going to miss out.

Just reading the introduction to this book gives the reader a valuable lesson in the history of forensic science, the importance of trace evidence, it's recovery and evaluation. It's almost worth it's cover price for the introduction alone.

The book consists of the introduction, and nine chapters each detailing a case study involving trace analysis.

Chapter 1: Fabric Processing and "Nubs"
Chapter 2: Wigs and the Significance of One Fiber
Chapter 3: Trace Evidence as Investigative Lead Value
Chapter 4: Plastics in Automobiles
Chapter 5: Finding Trace Evidence
Chapter 6: "Only Circumstantial Evidence"
Chapter 7: Manslaughter Caused by a Hit-and-Run: Glass as Evidence of Association
Chapter 8: Feathers
Chapter 9: A Case of Cross-Transfer

The chapters are very well written and each highlights a different topic related to trace evidence. The case studies are interesting, and show how valuable trace evidence can be in providing direction to an investigation and in answering questions other methods can't.

The book is well illustrated with color photographs and diagrams. Each chapter is also thoroughly referenced. If you don't find an answer to your question in the text, one of the references will probably have it.

When I'm teaching classes that deal with trace evidence, this is the book I grab as a reference. In fact, I had to box up most of my reference collection due to a lack of office space. This is one of the few titles I keep out on the shelf.

In conclusion if you are involved in, or interested in forensic science you should get a copy of this book.

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