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Acknowledgments
The seed for this book was planted during the first class we taught at the
University of California at Berkeley Extension when a student asked us how
the principle of 
 
transfer
applied to physical match evidence. Our search for an
answer to her question led us to propose the new principle of 
 
divisible matter
,
and subsequently to reexamine the prevailing ideas and conventional wisdom
in forensic science. The constant challenges and critical thinking from our
students comprised the major driving force behind the writing of this book.
We are eternally grateful to Harvey Kane who rescued the proposal for
this book from apparent oblivion and insisted that it was a worthwhile
project. He remains our “Godfather.” Becky McEldowney, who inherited the
responsibility of editor for two demanding and high-maintenance authors,
helped bring the book to fruition. Her patience with our missed deadlines
and at times odd requests is appreciated. Likewise, Andrea Demby, our
project editor, maintained both a sense of perspective and a sense of humor
while expertly guiding us through the details of the publishing process. We
also would like to acknowledge the folks, many of whom we have never even
met, who labor behind the scenes in the CRC production department.
A number of individuals provided material or assistance with specific
items. E.J. Wagner and Peter Martin contributed to the Birmingham Six
sidebar; John Houde provided us with one of the original Locard quotes, and
Sharon Kruzic assisted us with the translation; Elliot Beckleman gave us
permission to reproduce the results chart from one of his cases; Jeff Silvia
and Roger Moore provided us with case transcripts; Ron Linhart and Mark
Stolorow reviewed the Fred Zain sidebar; Duayne Dillon provided assistance
in checking various historical details; John Buckleton gave us permission to
use his “absence of evidence” example previously posted to a mailing list.
Carl Selavka, Greg Matheson, Hiram Evans, Jay Henry, Peter Striupaitis,
Frank Hicks, and Joe Polski assisted us in obtaining permission for the logos
used to illustrate Chapter 12.
Finally, we are especially grateful to Peter Barnett, Ann Bradley, and Ray
Davis who provided both encouragement and a number of suggestions which
significantly improved the manuscript. Any remaining errors are our respon-
sibility alone.
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