Forensic science

Books and Ebooks

Start your search for material in LibrarySearch. We have a large collection of forensic science books in the library plus as well as related topics including law, criminology, chemistry and law.

To browse for books on the shelves

You might also want to browse the following ebook collections for a specific topic:

  • SpringerLink – good range of reference and research books in forensic sciences
  • Taylor & Francis – handbooks and manuals in forensic science and its contexts.

More advice on how to find and use e-books

Reference books

The study of forensic science uses many reference works to define materials and procedures in the application of the discipline:

  • Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine –  compiled by an international team of forensic specialists who explore the relationship between law, medicine, and science in the study of forensics.
  • Fingermark Visualisation Manual (downloadable PDF file) an essential professional guide published by the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) and used across all UK police forces. This interactive pdf includes 1200 images and diagrams and details forensic fingermark recovery processes essential for students and professionals working in forensics.

  • Manual of Forensic Science: An International Survey –  covers current trends and technology in many disciplines within forensic science including bloodstain pattern analysis, ballistics, forensic genetics and DNA, questioned documents and toxicology.

  • Very short introduction to Forensic Science- introduces the concept of forensic science and its application in crime science investigation. Provides examples from forensic science cases in the UK, USA, and other countries,

Journal articles

The easiest way to find journal articles is to type a few keywords for your topic in LibrarySearch. 

If we subscribe to it in print or digital a link will be provided to help you find it.

If you have a specific journal article you are looking for you can use Google Scholar.  This will show you if it is freely available elsewhere, you can also set your browser to link to any content we subscribe to.

To check if the Library has access to a particular e-journal title, or to browse journals, use BrowZine.

E-Resources

You may also want to look for other types of information or search through a large index of articles, books and conference papers. We have access to many different e resources to do this

Subject specific databases:

  • SciFinder N– database for chemical literature with access to substances, reactions and references in chemistry and related sciences. To use you first need to register using your @kent.ac.uk email address. Online training materials are available to help you.
  • Reaxys – discover chemical structures, properties and reactions and build chemical queries to interrogate and assess compound synthesis. Links to related chemistry literature and patents.  Watch our introductory workshop on how to use Reaxys for your research projects.
  • Lexis®Library – wide range of UK case materials, consolidated legislation, journals, commentary (including Halsbury’s Laws)
  • Westlaw – access to cases, legislation, journals, books online, news and EU / international materials

General Indexes:

  • Web of Science – large database providing full text and abstracts (article summaries) for peer-reviewed literature.
  • Scopus – multi-disciplinary database providing full text and abstracts (article summaries) for peer-reviewed literature.

Check out our digital resources directory to find others that might be useful to your studies.

Useful web resources & associations