The Bone Detectives: How Forensic Anthropologists Solve Crimes and Uncover Mysteries of the Dead [Turtleback]

Donna M. Jackson (Author), Charlie Fellenbaum (Photographer)

Book Description

It's said that "dead men tell no tales" -- yet their bones have some interesting stories to reveal. That's what police depend on when the only clues to a crime are the bones of the victim. Then it's time to call in the "bone detectives".

Following forensic anthropologist Dr. Michael Charney step-by-step through an investigation, this book shows how a person's sex, race, age, height, and weight can be determined from studying his or her bones and teeth; how markings on bones can be "read" to establish cause of death; how a sculptor uses clay to reconstruct a face from a skull so it can be publicized in the media and possibly recognized; and how all of this information can be used to help crack a case.

Curious young readers will revel in every eerie detail of award-winning journalist Donna Jackson's lively text and Charlie Fellenbaum's full-color photographs as they discover how these fascinating detectives help the stories behind the bones come to life.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In 1987, a skeleton was turned up near a Boy Scout camp in Missouri. A forensic anthropologist was brought and, using clues from the skeleton and some decaying clothes found nearby, determined that the victim was a young Asian woman. From there, police where able to determine the identity first of the victim and then of her killer. Using the Missouri case as a jumping-off point, The Bone Detectives provides an introduction for young readers to the science of forensics. Written for curious readers who are approaching adolescence, this book is sure to appeal to the nearly universal interest that age group exhibits for the macabre and the horrible. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

"More than two hundred bones hold our bodies together, and each one tells a story"-right from the opening words, readers will find themselves glued to this fact-filled foray into the fine art of forensics. A real-life murder case solved through the painstaking work of "bone detectives" serves as a springboard for examining the techniques employed by forensic anthropologists in fighting crime and unraveling archeological puzzles. How a person's height, weight, sex, ethnic heritage and so on can be estimated from just a handful of bones makes for absorbing reading, and the plentiful accompanying photographs are equally intriguing. In addition to the murder case, first-time author Jackson highlights several historically significant finds-including the "Lucy" fossil, a bone fragment found at Little Bighorn, and perhaps this decade's most spectacular discovery, the 5300-year-old mummified "Iceman" found in the Alps (an artistic facial reconstruction is eerily lifelike). The handsome design and Jackson's equable presentation help tone down the grislier aspects of the subject matter. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Turtleback
• Publisher: Demco Media (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606210784
• ISBN-13: 978-0606210782
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,880,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Get Real! That's what I love to do most--write about real people, places, and things. During my travels, I've met some fascinating people, from bug scientists to bone detectives. I've also had the privilege of meeting some of the heroes--and hero dogs--of September 11th.

This year, I'm excited to share two new books: WHAT'S SO FUNNY?, which explores the worlds of humor and laughter, and THE ELEPHANT SCIENTIST, which follows the remarkable work of Caitlin O'Connell, a researcher who studies African elephants at Etosha National Park in Namibia. Both are books I hope you'll find as fascinating to read as I did to write!

Visit: www.donnamjackson.net

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An exceptional book for exceptional children, January 2, 1998

By 

N. Norman "got2readit" (Fuquay-Varina, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bone Detectives: How Forensic Anthropologists Solve Crimes and Uncover Mysteries of the Dead (Hardcover)

The Bone Detectives is a compelling book for young readers. While the subject matter may seem out-of-the-ordinary and even macabre to many adults, pre-teens and teenagers seem facinated with the science and technology involved in solving murder cases. The book can also serve as a way to open a dialogue about the harsh realities bombarding our children from televison, film, and the evening news.
If you know a bright child with an interest in science or police work, or if you just want to foster an interest,this book is a good start.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good place to start, August 22, 2001

By 

"doggerme5" (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bone Detectives: How Forensic Anthropologists Solve Crimes and Uncover Mysteries of the Dead (Hardcover)

I had the chance to work under Dr. Michael Charney for 5 years before his death. Dr. Charney focused heavily on education and teaching people. That is what this book does. When this book came out he gave me a hard time for buying a copy because it was a "kid's book". All of that aside, the book gives a basic introduction to forensic anthropology on a level that explains it to the reader. It covers the case from start to finish as well as touching on the other aspects of forensic investigation such as forensic entomology and facial reconstruction. So if you have a child that is wanting to learn more about the field or you are looking for a good place to start learning, this is the book to get.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for forensic science fans., April 24, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Branchburg New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bone Detectives: How Forensic Anthropologists Solve Crimes and Uncover Mysteries of the Dead (Hardcover)

If you like anthropology or forensic science you will love this book. It tells of forensic anthropology, along with several other forensic techniques. It also explains about forensic archeology, and how past mysteries are being solved using forensics.