Criminal Investigation: The Art and the Science, 9th edition
Published by Pearson (February 28, 2019) © 2020
Michael D. Lyman

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Title overview

For introductory courses in criminal investigation.

Blending theory and practice in criminal investigation

Criminal Investigation: The Art and the Science is a clear, thorough examination of the fundamentals of criminal investigation and forensic science, as practiced in the US. Written by nationally recognized criminal investigation expert Michael Lyman, this text parallels the steps of the criminal investigation to give students a well-rounded understanding of the work of the investigator. It also unpacks forensic and technological innovations for the novice learner.

The 9th Edition has been extensively updated with new and revised material, a new chapter on investigating officer-involved shootings, and updated case studies and graphics.

Hallmark features of this title

Practical coverage of theory, techniques and technologies

  • Duties of both the uniformed officer and criminal investigator are outlined. Lyman also examines the cooperative role the two must play during a criminal investigation.
  • EXPANDED: Closer Look vignettes integrated throughout the text help students dive deeper into the subject matter. Topics include technology, careers, tools and techniques of a criminal investigation.

Learning aids

  • Case in Point boxes present case examples of the types of crime discussed in chapters. Most boxes end with Thematic Questions addressing ethical, legal and other issues of the investigation.
  • Summary checklists at the end of each chapter offer review questions followed by bulleted responses addressing main chapter concepts.

New and updated features of this title

Criminal investigation from all angles

  • EXPANDED: Criminal investigation processes are expanded upon with a new discussion of cross-racial witness identification and coverage of crime scene walkthroughs and investigative detentions.
  • EXPANDED: Added material on the history of criminal investigation includes biographical vignettes of pioneers in criminal investigation.
  • UPDATED: Samples of investigative forms have been updated. Forms include a crime scene worksheet form, victim information form, crime scene checklist form and crime scene security log form.

Real-world issues and cases

  • NEW: A new chapter, Investigation of Officer-Involved Shootings (Ch. 18), provides a timely overview of an ongoing challenge: investigating officer-involved shootings.
  • NEW: New case studies have been added, including the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri; Laquan McDonald in Chicago, Illinois; and Walter Scott in Charleston, South Carolina.
  • EXPANDED: New technology content includes sections on social media and coverage of intelligence-gathering technology such as police license plate readers and facial recognition.

Key features

Features of Revel for the 9th Edition

  • In author explanatory videos, the text's author clarifies and expands upon critical topics. The videos are integrated into the narrative of each chapter.
  • Point/counterpoint videos present two opposing evidence-based arguments to help students analyze criminal justice issues such as privacy, search and seizure, and the 4th amendment.
  • NEW: Social Explorer maps integrated into the narrative correlate crime and corrections data with socioeconomic and other criminal justice data across the US.
  • NEW: Student survey questions address controversial topics and important concepts. Students can review a bar chart comparing their responses to those of their classmates.
  • Application exercises and short quizzes engage students and enhance their understanding of core topics as they progress through the content.

Table of contents

PART I: ESSENTIALS OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
1. Foundations and History of Criminal Investigation
2. The Crime Scene: Identification and Collection of Evidence
3. The Crime Scene: Field Notes, Documenting, and Reporting

PART II: FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIVE PROCESSES
4. Identification of Criminal Suspects: Field and Laboratory Services
5. Legal Issues in Criminal Investigation

PART III: INFORMATION GATHERING
6. Interviews and Interrogations
7. Criminal Intelligence and Surveillance Operations
8. Undercover Operations and Informant Management

PART IV: CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
9. Death Investigations
10. Robbery
11. Assault and Related Offenses
12. Missing and Abducted Persons
13. Crimes against Children: Child Abuse, Child Fatalities, and Exploitation

PART V: CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY
14. Theft-Related Offenses
15. Arson, Bombings, and Terrorism

PART VI: SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS: DRUG TRAFFICKING, WHITE-COLLAR CRIME, AND POLICE SHOOTING INVESTIGATIONS
16. Special Investigations: Drug Trafficking and Gangs
17. Special Investigations: White-Collar, Corporate, and Computer-Related Crimes
18. Investigations of Officer-Involved Shootings

PART VII: PROSECUTION
19. Preparation for Court

Appendices
A. Collection and Preservation of Physical Evidence
B. Cases

Author bios

About our author

Michael D. Lyman is professor of criminal justice at Columbia College of Missouri, in Columbia, MO. In addition to being a teaching faculty member, he is the program coordinator of the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program and the founder of the college's Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science program. Before entering academia, he was a criminal investigator for state police organizations in Kansas and Oklahoma. He has taught thousands of law enforcement officers the proper police techniques and methods of professional criminal investigation.

Dr. Lyman has authored eight textbooks in criminal justice dealing with areas such as criminal investigation, policing, organized crime, drug enforcement and drug trafficking. Over the last 20 years, he has been called upon as an expert witness on about 450 occasions to review and evaluate criminal investigations and to testify in federal court proceedings nationwide as to the results of his evaluations and his opinions. He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Wichita State University and his PhD from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Textbooks such as this are an ongoing work in progress, and the author welcomes communication and correspondence about his work. Dr. Lyman can be contacted at Columbia College, 1001 Rogers Street, Columbia, MO 65216 or by email.

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