Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

History and development of the law of criminal evidence -- Important aspects of the American criminal justice system -- Using evidence to determine guilt or innocence -- Direct and circumstantial evidence and the use of inferences -- Witnesses and the testimony of witnesses -- Judicial notice, privileges of witnesses, and shield laws -- The use of hearsay in the courtroom -- Exceptions to the hearsay rule -- The exclusionary rule -- Where the exclusionary rule does not apply -- Evidence is admissible if obtained during an administrative function under the "special needs" of government -- Obtaining statements and confessions for use as evidence -- The law governing identification evidence -- Obtaining physical and other evidence -- Obtaining evidence from computers or by use of search warrants, wiretapping, or dogs trained to indicate an alert -- The crime scene, the chain of custody requirement, and the use of fingerprints and trace evidence -- Videotapes, photographs, documents, and writings as evidence -- Scientific evidence -- App. A. Sections of the U.S. Constitution -- App. B. Finding and analyzing cases -- App. C. Federal rules of evidence.

This book is about History and Development of the Law of Criminal Evidence, Using Evidence to Determine Guilt or Innocence,The Exclusionary Rule, Obtaining Statements and Confessions for Use as Evidence.And Videotapes, Photographs, Documents, and Writings as Evidence.