From School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up-Divided into three sections, Meltzer's book covers the day-to-day work of detectives, the crime lab, and investigators outside the police force. Separate chapters provide information (including some history) on handwriting and DNA analysis, organized crime, the Pinkertons, and the efforts of investigative journalists. The author does a fine job of balancing discussions on the excitement of the field with the extremely difficult, and often dangerous, work done by the men and women in it. The descriptive text is full of real-life examples of work on criminal and white-collar offenses. A few black-and-white illustrations, mainly photos, accompany the text. A thorough index and extensive bibliography are included. A good choice for career reports or for anyone interested in the fascinating world of criminal investigation.
Carol Fazioli, formerly at The Brearley School, New York City
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Gr. 5-9. From bloody murder to white-collar embezzlement, crimes are investigated and solved by diligent detectives. Veteran nonfiction author Meltzer probes the history of various detective agencies, the day-to-day work of investigators, and the tools of a police crime lab, highlighting some intriguing cases along the way. There isn't much about each topic (just three pages devoted to fingerprints, for instance), so readers will need to consult other sources, and the lengthy list of further reading doesn't include many titles for young people. Even so, the subject is a very compelling one, and Meltzer has put together a solid introduction that students can use to frame further research into detective work and forensic science as well as satisfy their curiosity. For more on the subject, suggest Charlotte Foltz Jones'
Fingerprints and Talking Bones (1997).
Catherine AndronikCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved