Dr. Suzanne Bell has written the book on forensic chemistry.

Bell, an assistant professor of chemistry who also spent several years working in New Mexico State Police crime labs, penned a textbook,Forensic Chemistry,which was published last month by Prentice Hall.

The 696-page book touches on all facets of forensic chemistry, from the particulars of lab work to the legal context in which its techniques are conducted. The book also contains extensive sections on forensic drug analysis and chemical analysis of physical evidence from crime scenes.

Its the first textbook that deals exclusively with the ever-growing field of forensic chemistry, according to Prentice Hall. Bell also wrote a lab manual andsolutionsmanual to accompany the book. Instructors from several other universities have already expressed interest in using the book in their forensic chemistry courses, the publisher says.

Bell holds bachelors degrees in chemistry and police science from Northern Arizona University, and a masters in forensic science from the University of New Haven. She earned a doctorate in chemistry from the University of New Mexico.

WVU s Forensic and Investigative Science major is a multidisciplinary program that also employs the classroom, internships and field work to prepare students for careers in the profession.

Its students, faculty and classes have received national media attention in outlets as diverse as The Chronicle for Higher Education to cable televisions E! Entertainment network.