Book excerpt: For courses in Criminal Investigation This text is part of the Justice Series Brief. Affordable. Visual. Criminal Investigation, 3/e, provides an affordable, thought-provoking look at criminal investigations that uses clear writing and eye-catching visuals to get your students straight to the important concepts. By focusing on these core concepts, students will gain true understanding of the material, without becoming overwhelmed with unnecessary information. Lyman presents information that parallels the steps and considerations observed in an actual criminal investigation, blending scientific theories of crime detection with a practical approach to criminal investigation. The book's conversation-starting pedagogy encourages active participation in learning, moving students beyond memorization by engaging them in the latest research findings and current events shaping the field. "