The Game is Afoot: An Introduction to the Forensic Sciences is a broad overview of the use of science as it pertains to the court of law. Forensic science is simply the application of scientific principles to determine facts about a case. Students and practitioners alike need to first and foremost understand the science behind the forensic test to truly understand what it is saying. This text relies on real world applications, case studies, and unusual examples to thoroughly explain scientific concepts and how they may be applied to casework. This book caters to learners of every level, and covers parts of every major scientific discipline.
The digital format of the book is designed to keep up with the ever-changing nature of forensic science and provide readers with a long-term resource for forensics. As new cases arise, new tests are developed, or interesting uses of scientific principles discovered, the book is updated to reflect that new information. Videos, diagrams, and pictures are all included to enhance the understanding of the material and allow students to grasp difficult scientific concepts quickly and easily. Real cases are used as examples whenever appropriate, allowing students to make connections between scientific theory and the use of that theory in the real world. These connections ensure deeper understanding of traditionally difficult topics, deepening learning wherever possible.
Dr. Adrienne Brundage is an entomologist and board-certified forensic entomologist and expert witness in forensic entomology. She teaches entomology and forensics at Texas A&M University, University of Florida, and Florida State University, and consults with law enforcement and lawyers across North America. She is currently serving as the Assistant Director of the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program at TAMU and the President of the North American Forensic Entomology Association (NAFEA).
In addition to teaching traditional courses at universities and community colleges, Dr. Brundage trains law enforcement, lawyers, and crime scene investigators through continuing education workshops and online courses. She also serves on national committees that develop forensic science standards for the U.S. Her training to become a forensic entomologist included a broad background in the general forensic sciences, and this text is a direct result of the lack of appropriate and broadly based forensics books on the market during that training.
As an entomologist, Dr. Brundage works with animals and the insects that affect those animals, and works with vets and other animal care specialists on a regular basis. She has a robust undergraduate research program that helps students develop and carry out their own research projects in entomology. Her own research revolves around blowflies, the effect nutrition has on their physiological development, and the use of blowfly larvae as medical maggots. She currently teaches over 800 students per semester across seven different courses.
Adrienne was interviewed for the podcast, Can I Get a Retake? Listen below!