Hidden Evidence: Forty True Crimes And How Forensic Science Helped To Solve Them

From Publishers Weekly
Once it took a thief to catch a thief; these days it more often takes forensic scientistsAthe experts who scrutinize fibers and fabrics, tire tracks and shoe prints, cell scrapings and bloodstains. Journalist and engineer Owen's first book shows how these scientists work and what they discover. Forensic geologists trace pebbles and soil; engineers examine aircraft panels and wreckage to find the cause of a crash. Forensic pathologists investigate corpses for their time and manner of death; chemists test hair and blood for DNA. Owen organizes his book by type of evidence, which sometimes corresponds to manner of death: drowning, hanging, poison, guns, and the identification of bodies each get chapters. Each case shows how the scientists work. Some concern famous victims (Czar Nicholas II) or notorious criminals (Josef Mengele); some date from the 19th century, while others show off advanced technology. Fingerprints are the oldest way to prove a person's presence at a crime scene. Another early tool, the comparison microscope, presented two magnified images side by side, making it easy to check if, for example, two bullets came from the same gun. Forensic scientists don't just catch criminals, we learn; they also save lives by preventing accidents. When a U.S.S. Iowa turret blew up in 1989, killing 47 sailors, the navy labeled the disaster sabotage; explosives experts discovered the real cause, a flaw in the guns' loading procedures, thus preventing repeats of the tragedy. More than 420 photos (many in color) enhance the text, and retired L.A. coroner Thomas Noguchi and mystery writer Kathy Reichs vouch for the book in two short introductions. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Owen, a science writer, looks at how forensic science has developed and how techniques have evolved from methods of investigation used in ancient China to computerized DNA analysis. The discussion presents the earlier and fairly dubious practices of cataloging physical traits of the criminal class and how such practices evolved into more scientific methods of sketching suspects. Owen highlights 40 actual crimes, including explanations of how evidence was investigated, in such cases as the Lindbergh baby kidnapping and the O. J. Simpson murder trial. The author looks at how blood, skin tissue, and fiber sampling have evolved. In the arena of criminal frauds and forgeries, Owen examines detective methods used to determine the authenticity of the alleged diaries of Adolf Hitler and Jack the Ripper. He details the procedures used by police and investigators at the crime scene and forensic lab and looks at promising developments in forensic science. This is fascinating reading for a range of readers from forensic scientists to professional and amateur sleuths, but the graphic illustrations are not for the squeamish. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


From Book News, Inc.
Writing for a general audience, Owen (a journalist) looks at 40 infamous crimes and the investigations that followed, outlining the history and current application of forensics in law enforcement. He offers detail on the scientific procedures used in the various cases--from gathering elusive clues to examining weapons and bodies, to DNA testing. Cases include the Lindbergh kidnapping, the crash of PanAm 103, the trial of O.J. Simpson, and the Oklahoma city bombing. The book is attractively designed, every page illustrated with color photographs.Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR


Buy from Amazon     Compare Prices

A thought-provoking look at the role of forensic science in criminal investigations. Read all 14 "From The Critics" >


Buy from Barnes & Noble     Compare Prices