The Casebook of Forensic Detection: How Science Solved 100 of the World's Most Baffling Crimes [Paperback]

Colin Evans (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 047128369X | ISBN-13: 978-0471283690 | Publication Date: October 16, 1998 | Edition: 1

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

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Anyone can summarize a collection of cases, but not everyone can make them read well. With a flair for compressed narrative worthy of a good short story writer, Colin Evans entertains and instructs the reader with 100 cases that exemplify the use of 15 different forensic techniques (ballistics, fingerprinting). Some (like the Lindbergh case) are famous, others are barely known, yet each has some unique twist that sets it apart. Many "firsts" are included, such as the first murder conviction without a body, the first use of psychological profiling, and the first use of DNA typing. Evans also brings out the distinct (often flamboyant) personalities of the pioneering experts of forensics and some of their more notable courtroom theatrics. Each case is labeled by name of criminal, forensic technique, date, location, and significant feature(s), making this a useful reference as well as a fun book to read. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

This well-organized compendium by Evans (Killer Doctors in Britain) covers cases from 1751 to 1991, arranged according to the methodology by which they were solved. Fifteen areas are listed alphabetically, ranging from ballistics through DNA typing, fingerprinting, odontology, serology and toxicology to the still-disputed voiceprint analysis. Only a few twice-told tales like the murder of Gay Gibson and Willie Guldensuppe have been included. Otherwise, even the most dedicated devotee of the genre will find much that is new in these brief but exciting accounts of the brilliant and persistent scientific work that brought murderers like John List (through forensic anthropology), Ted Bundy (through odontology) and Jeffrey MacDonald (through trace evidence) to justice. Those still convinced of the innocence of Sacco and Vanzetti or Bruno Richard Hauptmann are in for some surprises. Fifty photos include many of the pathologists and detectives whose exploits are related in the text.
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

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 16, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047128369X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471283690
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #858,203 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Introduction to the World of Forensic Detection, November 25, 1997

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Bluerigged "jsnapper" - See all my reviews

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

First, let me say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and learned much from it. I think, however, that the author tries to accomplish too much, and thereby leaves the reader with too little. The book is separated alphabetically into types of forensic detection methods (e.g., ballistics, fingerprints, etc.) and separated further within each category into case studies presented in chronological order. Thus, there are a number of case studies under each subject (usually 4-6) describing the chronological development of the forensic detection method at issue. The problem comes when the author tries to squeeze 100 separate case studies into this system. While almost all the case studies are interesting, and many absolutely fascinating, there simply is not enough space for each case study. Often, the author cannot provide enough detail to truly satisfy the reader. Some case studies are placed under one heading although the criminal was really caught primarily through another method (while this does not detract much from the forensic detection method being discussed, it does detract from the overall reading experience). The author would have been better off making the book longer or cutting down on the number of case studies while lengthening the description of each. Nevertheless, I still recommend this book for an introduction to the wide array of criminal forensic detection methods. The case studies are interesting and well written.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I detect that much is lacking..., November 26, 2002

By A Customer

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This review is from: The Casebook of Forensic Detection: How Science Solved 100 of the World's Most Baffling Crimes (Paperback)

The "case studies" in this book read like a Jr. High essay - they lack substance and information and have nothing to keep the attention of the reader.

Each case is laid out in the same format - where the guilty are indicated immediately (often with negative adjectives describing them), it is stated that (fill in the blank) technology was used (without any real scientific explanation of the technology), and then it is stated that the guilty was caught due to the science (which was never described).

If all you want to know about forensic science is case names and dates, you might like this book. If you would actually like to learn about the processes used and how the technology works, you may be more than a little disappointed.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good, but Slightly Disappointing, February 2, 2003

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Harkius "harkius" (Laramie, WY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Casebook of Forensic Detection: How Science Solved 100 of the World's Most Baffling Crimes (Paperback)

The book was somewhat well-written, and parts were certainly enjoyable, but there is nothing that you can find here that you cannot find in greater detail and with more useful information somewhere else. The case notes were frequently short enough that you would have no real interest in the case, and it read more like a How-To book for someone interested in writing a medico-legal thriller, as long as the person writing that just wanted a lot of really general information without actually knowing enough of what they are talking about. If you really want a good general interest forensics book, check out What The Corpse Revealed by Hugh Miller. In short, the book had a lot of information in it, but none of it was unavailable or more useful here than other sources.