Customer Reviews

Crime Scene: From Fingerprints to DNA Testing - An Astonishing Inside Look at the Real World of C.S.I.

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like a reviewer mentioned, this book did need a glossary. It would have been very helpful to look up words and phrases that he used so naturally.

However, I found this book to be informative and very well written. Ragle talks to his readers and explains as he goes along. I like that. I also like the crime scene scenarios where he talks about a case and how he investigated it, how the evidence was found, how the suspect was captured and his prison sentence.

I think this book is helpful for writers because he talks about real investigators and real crime scenes. You can get an idea of what they do, when and how for a more realistic portrayal of your character. There is also inside stuff that happens at a crime scene and during an investigation that you wouldn't get unless someone on the inside, like Ragle, told you.

However, I do reccomend you find this in your bookstore, flip through it and see if it answers any questions you may have. It's fairly cheap if it were to be used for a reference book, which is why I bought it. For casual reading I wouldn't recommend it.

Crime Scene by Larry Ragle is one of the best books that I have read on the subject of Forensic Investigation. It really provides the reader with the tools to working with crime scenes and evidence. It shows how forensic investigators put together evidence to pinpoint the cause of death, what investigators look for during an autopsy, how a bullet can identify the killer and the type of gun used, how secret blood pattern analysis can reveal about a crime, and how DNA testing works in murder investigatoins. I strongly reccomend this book to anyone who is interested in learning how police detectives and investigaors solve crimes and pinpoint evidence to catch cold-blooded killers.

This is the best of its type I've come across. I'm impressed. However the author doesnt address how you cope with idiots, and the system is filled with idiots: who run amok over the crime scene, destroying evidence; experts who know little or nothing about what they profess, severely damaging investigations; and political pressure to make certain outcomes likely. People get highly annoyed when your report is contrary to their bias and expectations. And newbie judges and lawyers. They arent scientists and they arent detectives, and they are arrogantly clueless when it comes to much of what you discover. This book is well-written, the author knows his stuff, and it's interesting.

This novel is best read by someone that already has a very basic, technical knowledge of the mechanics of forensic work, but anyone that enjoys watching CSI will be fascinated by the book. I recently finished a basic course in Criminalistics and this book is putting all the mechanics of forensic work into actual use. Mr. Ragle breaks everything down into steps,such as from first on the scene to the end of the crime scene investigation using real cases, and explains why it's done that way. Very Easy Reading, Very Fascinating and Very Informative!

Good book to read to get background on the field of forensic science. Gives easy to understand information and cases.

Absolute fantastic book regarding crime scene investigations. Book is uncomparable!! Don't let the cover deceive you!! The finest writing to date on crime scene investigations!! Buy it and see for yourself!!

Dr. Larry Ragle paints the true portrait of crime scene investigation that the television series, CSI, Law and Order, Cold Case, Cold Squad, etc. don't show on television in a forty minutes episode. Dr. Ragle is an expert in crime scene. While he tells the truth, he writes about the crime scenes in this book for those aspiring crime scene investigators. Sadly, I think we live in a society where many crime scene investigators who mean well will jump to conclusions and have tunnel visions. Dr. Ragle explains in detail about crime scenes and explains how to approach them properly. His book does contain a glossary in the back with explanations of such. It would have been better to have an index but it's not necessary. I think this book is not for everybody. It takes away the myth that crimes can be solved so easily. For me, I have never watched the shows that became clones from Law and Order because there are just too many of them on the air, not much different from another. Although Canadian show Cold Squad is filmed in Vancouver, the show is similar to his American counterparts. DNA is not easily explained away that it can happen in one in a billion. Ever since the O.J. Simpson trial, people have been armchair quarterbacks in watching and solving crimes but Larry Ragle is an expert on the crime scene investigation. Crime scene investigation can take months and even years to solve the crimes.

I'm the author. This book, a 2nd edition was published in 2002. Other than newer, more sensitive methods in DNA this book is timely. A 1st edition was published in 1995.

This is an excellent overview of the forensic world. Very helpful reading before taking any forensic classes. Describes everything that goes on behind the yellow tape. The real story!

I'm a writer in southern California and I use "Crime Scene" by Larry Ragle constantly as a source for factual information about crime scene investigation. The science and the anecdotes are fascinating. I recommend it.