The Devil's Dozen: How Cutting-Edge Forensics Took Down 12 Notorious Serial Killers [Paperback]

Katherine Ramsland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 7, 2009

A forensics expert follows the historic evolution of CSI through a century of serial killers.

"Katherine Ramsland has brilliantly captured the insights and drama of some fascinating cases" (Dr. Henry Lee) in her previous bestselling books. Now she examines the case histories of twelve of the most notorious serial killers of the last one hundred years, and answers the questions: What clues did they leave behind? How were they eventually caught? How was each twist and turn of their crimes matched by the equally compelling weapons of science and logic?

From exploring the nineteenth century's earliest investigative tools to remarkable twenty-first century CSI advances, The Devil's Dozen provides a fascinating window into the world of those who kill-and those who dedicate their lives to bringing them to justice.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; 1 edition (April 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425226034
• ISBN-13: 978-0425226032
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,037,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Katherine Ramsland began her career as a writer with Prism of the Night: A Biography of Anne Rice. She had a bestseller with The Vampire Companion. Since then, she has published 40 books and over 1,000 articles, reviews and short stories. From ghosts to vampires to serial killers, she has taken on a variety of dark subjects. She holds graduate degrees in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, criminal justice, and philosophy. Currently, she teaches forensic psychology and criminal justice at DeSales University. Her books include The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds, The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation, Inside the Minds of Serial Killers, Inside the Minds of Sexual Predators, and Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers. Her background in forensic studies positioned her to assist former FBI profiler John Douglas on his book, The Cases that Haunt Us, and to co-write a book with former FBI profiler, Gregg McCrary, The Unknown Darkness, as well as The Real Life of a Forensic Scientist with Henry C. Lee and A Voice for the Dead with James Starrs. She speaks internationally about forensic psychology, forensic science, and serial murder, and has appeared on numerous documentaries, as well as such programs as The Today Show, 20/20, 48 Hours, NPR, Coast to Coast, Montel Williams, Larry King Live and E! True Hollywood.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crime Library Editorial Review, September 19, 2009

By 

Marilyn J. Bardsley "Editor, Crimescape books" (Savannah, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Devil's Dozen: How Cutting-Edge Forensics Took Down 12 Notorious Serial Killers (Paperback)

This is a fascinating book about very cunning serial killer monsters and heroic efforts of detectives and forensic scientists working together to stop a killing machine and bring him to justice. Dr. Ramsland has carefully selected serial killers that are not household names, like "The Red Spider, who left a note in red ink near one of his victims in a brazen and brutal Christmas Eve killing and then later sent alarming notes to newspaper editors written in blood-colored ink.

Ramsland's expertise in selecting the terrifying killers is only part of the equation. These twelve cases are dramatic examples of how police and forensic experts brought these killing machines to justice. She captures the fear, excitment and revulsion of the people who are working crazy hours for days, months and even years trying to prevent these killers from killing again. Each of the twelve cases is the makings of a movie.

It's a great read, especially for audiences of CSI and the other forensics TV series. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best that my money can get in terms of true crime books, October 23, 2011

By 

Cestmoi - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Devil's Dozen: How Cutting-Edge Forensics Took Down 12 Notorious Serial Killers (Paperback)

- The first 3 cases are full of facts but dry.

- The remaining cases are more interesting for example the Harvey Robinson case. The suspense created while the police lying in wait for the criminal to kill again was unbearable.

- On the average, each case is covered in 24 pages. It's long enough for all the necessary details.

- This book emphasizes on the hard working of the detectives and the scientific methods used to solve the crimes. However, the details of the methods are sketchy. If you are a CSI student, you will want more detailed information.

- It does not expose the inner thinking or feeling of the criminals either. You'll have to read Ann Rule's books for that.

- Each case has one to two illustrations. Many cases have only one drawing or photo of the criminals but none of the detectives.

- Overall, it's a gripping book. I could not put it down until I finished it.

Below is the list of the 12 crimes described in this book.

Albert Fish, Andrei Chikatilo, Colin Pitchfork, Dennis Rader, H.H. Holmes, Harvey Robinson, Jack Unterweger, James B. Grinder, Lucian Staniak, Ludwig Tessnow, Richard Rogers, Robert Pickton.

4.0 out of 5 stars Generally good but..., May 3, 2011

By 

Ozamandiz "None" (Pennsylvania USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Devil's Dozen: How Cutting-Edge Forensics Took Down 12 Notorious Serial Killers (Paperback)

The stories are very interesting and well written but the scientific content is a little "light" for some of the forensic evidence.