The Casebook of Forensic Detection: How Science Solved 100 of the World's Most Baffling Crimes (Hardcover)

Forensics for Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback)) by Douglas P. Lyle 4.2 out of 5 stars (8)  £7.49

Cause of Death: Memoirs of a Home Office Pathologist by Geoffrey Garrett 4.2 out of 5 stars (6)  £6.74

The Forensic Casebook: The Science of Crime Scene Investigation by N.E. Genge 5.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £9.99

Mammoth Book of True Crime (Mammoth) by Colin Wilson 4.0 out of 5 stars (3)  £5.99

The Father of Forensics: How Sir Bernard Spilsbury Invented Modern CSI by Colin Evans 4.5 out of 5 stars (2)  £5.39

› Explore similar items

Product Description
Discover the surprising answers in The Casebook of Forensic Detection, a true–crime treasury of 100 of the most fascinating cases of all time. More than two centuries in the development of modern forensic procedures come to vivid life as everything from handwriting analyses and voiceprints to ballistics, DNA testing, and psychological profiles reveal whodunit (and, in some startling cases, who didn′t do it).

"Pithy, concise, and remarkably accurate." –Science Books & Films

"Contains ample material to hold the attention and foster interest in science." –Science Teacher

From the Inside Flap
The Casebook of Forensic Detection A missing persons case is solved—four decades after the victim’s disappearance. A twisted piece of metal yields conclusive proof of a terrorist bomb aboard Pan Am Flight 103. A murder suspect’s face is aged through computer enhancement—and a killer is caught and convicted eighteen years after the crime. Today, what once was the stuff of science fiction has become fascinating fact. In The Casebook of Forensic Detection, crime–writing specialist Colin Evans recounts one hundred groundbreaking cases that have had a lasting impact on criminal investigation and trial proceedings. Spanning more than two centuries in the development of modern forensic procedures, this lively, eye–opening book examines the investigative tools that scientists, law enforcement officials, and legal experts use "to identify that which we can’t see, and analyze that which we can." Packed with enough mystery and intrigue to satisfy the most avid true–crime buff, the cases illustrate the invaluable contribution made by forensic scientists. From fingerprinting and ballistics to toxicology, psychological profiling, and DNA typing, fifteen different fields of forensics are examined, each accompanied by a brief introduction and real–life examples of practical applications. Along the way, Evans brings to light the work of early forensic pioneers such as Sir Bernard Spilsbury, the doctor who took pathology out of the morgue and splashed it across the headlines of newspapers around the world, as well as such modern–day titans of technology as Dr. Alec Jeffreys, the discoverer of DNA "fingerprinting." True–crime aficionados will be rewarded by absorbing details from some of the most famous cases of all time, from Bruno Hauptmann and Sacco and Vanzetti to John Wayne Gacy and Ted Bundy (who was identified through odontology, the study of teeth marks left on crime victims). The less well–known cases prove equally intriguing, among them Australia’s legendary Shark Arm Murder case, famous for its fact–is–stranger–than–fiction conclusion. The evidence is clear. Blending history, mystery, and scientific research, The Casebook of Forensic Detection adds up to engrossing, can’t–put–down excitement.

See all Product Description

First Sentence
Strictly speaking, balistics is the science that deals with the motion of projectiles and the conditions affecting that motion, but in criminal investigation it has come to mean specifically the study of firearms and bullets. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover

Search inside this book:

7 Reviews 5 star:  (4) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.1 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   11 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Looks can be deceiving, 4 Feb 2005 By  viciousidol - See all my reviews This review is from: The Casebook of Forensic Detection: How Science Solved 100 of the World's Most Baffling Crimes (Paperback) I must admit that, if I saw this book in a shop, I wouldn't buy it. It looks like a children's book or one of those supermarket "Bumper Guide to" titles. I was wrong, though. This is a great book. It is laid out by technique (Ballistics, DNA, Odonotology etc) then chronologically by case so you can see the development of the method over time. The cases are quite short (ranging from one page to three or four) but a lot of information is imparted. Usually, we hear about the crime, the trial and the conclusion. The descriptions are straight forward and, while sometimes shocking, they are not needlessly gruesome. It is a book pitched to anyone with an interest in forensics - the legal and medical professions as well as the general reader. This would probably be a great starting point for anyone doing background research but probably doesn't go into enough detail to be particularly useful on its own. Don't be put off by the cover (or the title for that matter!), this is a great read. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing & Concise, 24 April 1999 By A Customer This review is from: The Casebook of Forensic Detection: How Science Solved 100 of the World's Most Baffling Crimes (Paperback) Good book for those not willing to read a long-winded, drawn-out book dealing with forensic science. The case examples are concise. I was pleased with the selection of forensic methods presented. Well worth reading. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to understand yet very interesting to the knowledgable., 2 Dec 1998 By A Customer This review is from: The Casebook of Forensic Detection: How Science Solved 100 of the World's Most Baffling Crimes (Paperback) This a great book if you don't know a lot about forensics. It really explains everything that you may not understand. Yet it is very interesting to read how forensic different crimes. I think that this book would be suitable for anybody interested in forensic no matter how much they know on subject. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 7 customer reviews...		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 2.0 out of 5 stars Left Cold I wasn't enthused by this book. As someone who takes interest in criminology I didn't find it terribly exciting or clever. Read more Published 7 months ago by Ruth Jamie Babington 5.0 out of 5 stars The Casebook of Forensic Detection This is an ideal book for a student of forensic science or law, who may need help to find out various cases for their studies. Read more Published on 6 Aug 2002 by T. Tovey 3.0 out of 5 stars A Basic Intro to the Realm of Forensic Science The book is a basic introduction into the multiple aspects of forensic detection. While well-written, I was hoping for a bit more detail as to the technical processes utilized... Read more Published on 7 Jun 1999 5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book a vauled edition to any bookcase The book is clearly set out with a Introduction at the beginning of the chapter and a conculsion at the end. This book covers all aspects of forensic scince. Read more Published on 29 May 1999 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 7 customer reviews...

Highlights of recent fiction: A list by Heather "HF"   Bookspy's Library: A list by Bookspy   Everything a Forensic Science student needs......: A list by Ms. RL Addison "Bex" Create a Listmania! list

Search Listmania!

• Books > Business, Finance & Law > Law
• Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Medical & Healthcare Practitioners > Other Branches of Medicine > Forensics
• Books > History > Social & Economic History > Health & Welfare
• Books > Science & Nature > History & Philosophy > Reference
• Books > Science & Nature > Mathematics > Reference
• Books > Science & Nature > Medicine > Reference
• Books > Scientific, Technical & Medical > Medicine & Nursing
• Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Law & Disorder > Criminology
• Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Law & Disorder > Forensic Science
• Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Social Issues > Social Welfare & Services

• Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
• I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
• I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.