Hard Evidence [Paperback]

David Fisher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 1996

Hard Evidence reveals, for the very first time in print, what goes on in the FBI's modern sci-crime lab--and it will dramatically alter your understanding of crime detection.  Here you will learn the behind-the-scenes stories of the truly remarkable work done in each of the lab's twelve units, told by the agents who actually conducted the investigations.

A sampling of the chapter titles will give you a sense of the readability of this riveting book:

--The Little Green Specks Of Death: The Chemistry/Toxicology Unit

--Putting The World Back Together: The Explosives Unit

--Threads Of Evidence: The Hairs and Fiber Unit

--Number One With A Bullet: The Firearms and Toolmarks Unit

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

True-crime fans will savor this room-by-room, machine-by-machine tour of the FBI Criminal Laboratory in Washington, D.C., perhaps the world's best forensics department. Fisher (Killer) introduces readers to units that involve chemistry (with a special emphasis on toxicology), explosives, hairs and fibers, fingerprints and DNA analysis, material analysis, documents, firearms, photography, video enhancement and polygraphy. Included are details of the ballistic investigations of the assassination of John Kennedy, the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan, the murder of Martin Luther King, and the World Trade Center bombing. Readers will be astounded by the abilities of the high-technology equipment and the talents of the investigators who staff this extraordinary sci-crime lab. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Major advances in forensic science, such as DNA analysis, have taken place in the recent past. With the interested lay reader in mind, Washington Post journalist Fisher describes the work of the FBI Crime Laboratory?regarding explosives, firearms, hairs and fibers, toxicology, etc.?and how it has been used to solve problematic cases. Writing with the FBI's cooperation, Fisher tends to accept at face value their judgments in some controversial cases?Sacco and Vanzetti, Alger Hiss, the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, and the JFK assassination. Nevertheless, his enthusiasm for the progress in processing the faintest crime-scene clues is not misplaced. While some detailed accounts of forensic procedures can be soporific, they also pinpoint guilt or innocence previously undetectable. Recommended for larger popular crime collections.?Gregor A. Preston, formerly with Univ. of California Lib., Davis
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Dell (May 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440222362
• ISBN-13: 978-0440222361
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,264,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Fisher is senior pastor of Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, New York. He was formerly senior pastor of Colonial Church in Edina, MN.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Accurate Portrait of the FBI Laboratory, June 1, 2001

By 

Ronald M. Furgerson (Fairfax, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hard Evidence (Paperback)

As one of the FBI Lab personnel interviewed by Mr. Fisher I can attest that his presentation of the material reported in his excellent book is accurate. I was impressed with his thoroughness during the time he spent in the Lab conducting his interviews and reviewing case facts. And, even though I was intimately familiar with much of the material contained in the book, I was still fascinated by Fisher's perspective and his ability to weave the material into a thrilling portrait of actual forensic scientists at work. An excellent read!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Standard puff piece for FBI lab, July 22, 1998

By 

Frank (Stockton CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hard Evidence (Paperback)

This 1995 book is a standard puff piece for the FBI lab, spending 380 pages without one negative word about anything at the lab -- all testing is rigorously and honestly done, and the defense is always informed of exculpatory evidence. Fisher's starry-eyed view of the FBI lab has been disproven by recent revelations in the press and in books such as John Kelly's _Tainting Evidence_.
This book does provide an interesting and readable account of the different techniques used by the FBI to analyze evidence, including many accounts of how those techniques solved real cases. On the plus side, the book is very well-organized, with each chapter covering a separate area of the lab -- chemistry, explosives, fingerprint, document, etc. The book includes a helpful index.
On the negative side, there is not one drawing or picture in the whole book. These would have been very helpful in visualizing the instruments, techniques and results Fisher describes.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Primer on Forensics, March 13, 2001

By 

Bob Glaser (Burlington, IA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hard Evidence: How Detectives Inside the Fbi's Sci-Crime Lab Have Helped Solve America's Toughest Cases (Hardcover)

This book provides a good overview of what the world's best crime lab can do. Unfortunatley, like anything else this day and age, in the six years since it was written, there have been many advancements. A revised addition would certainly be in order.