Crime Scene Chemistry for the Armchair Sleuth [Hardcover]

Cathy Cobb (Author), Monty L. Fetterolf (Author), Jack G. Goldsmith (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1591025052 | ISBN-13: 978-1591025054 | Publication Date: August 9, 2007

Chemists and science authors Cathy Cobb and Monty L Fetterolf have teamed up with Jack G. Goldsmith, fellow chemist and reserve police officer, to create another intriguing trek through the science of chemistry, this time using the fascinating field of forensic chemistry as their framework. All new hands-on demonstrations and fictional minute mysteries illustrate chemical concepts as the authors present the science - and the realities - of forensic chemistry in a narrative style that makes this timely topic accessible to the non-chemist. The authors lead you through actual and simulated forensic techniques such as: presumptive and confirmative drug testing; body fluid identification including luminol testing; DNA analysis; trace fibre and gun shot residue analysis; latent fingerprint development and collection; and, forensic soil analysis. Through over twenty-five demonstrations, using ordinary household products and items, you can become familiar with the basics of forensic chemistry and gain insights into the painstaking work that goes into criminal investigations that is rarely seen on TV. If you are a fan of true-crime stories or mystery fiction, or interested in the science behind dramas like CSI, this informative and entertaining book is a must-have addition to your library.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...well organized, sprinkled with interesting analogies and written in inviting, understandable language." -- American Scientist, Nanoviews, Vol. 96, July/August 2008.

About the Author

Cathy Cobb, Ph.D. (Aiken, SC), is the highly acclaimed author of The Joy of Chemistry, Creations of Fire, and Magick, Mayhem, and Mavericks. She is currently an instructor of chemistry, calculus, and physics at Aiken Preparatory School and adjunct professor of chemistry at the University of South Carolina at Aiken. Monty L. Fetterolf, Ph.D. (Aiken, SC), is the co-author of Joy of Chemistry and professor of chemistry at the University of South Carolina at Aiken.

Jack G. Goldsmith, Ph.D. (Lexington, SC), is a reserve officer and information management officer for the Town of Lexington Police Department and former associate professor of chemistry at the University of South Carolina at Aiken.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 394 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (August 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591025052
• ISBN-13: 978-1591025054
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Law > Criminal Law > Evidence

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Factual Than CSI, November 16, 2007

By 

Judith Dailey "[e-mail]" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crime Scene Chemistry for the Armchair Sleuth (Hardcover)

An introduction to the basic science behind forensic chemistry, this book gives a realistic appraisal of the time and levels of certainty behind the ta-da of television and movies. It includes experiments using common household products for those of us who wished we had gotten a chemistry set for Christmas. Highly recommended for mystery writers.

3.0 out of 5 stars My students like it, I was a bit bored, January 16, 2011

By 

chemteach21 (Southeatern US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crime Scene Chemistry for the Armchair Sleuth (Hardcover)

My students read this book and like it. One or two have done reports on it. I would have liked more content and depth. For me it was a little thin. For my students, it's just right.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For Beginners Only, May 16, 2009

By 

David Callahan "axolotl" (Houma,LA 70364) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crime Scene Chemistry for the Armchair Sleuth (Hardcover)

An affable enough book, but it didn't seem to cover the territory between the "CSI" shows on television and formal texts on Forensic Chemistry. Makes a good gift for a science-minded teenager.