Howdunit Forensics (Paperback)

by D P Lyle (Author)
Key Phrases: individualizing evidence, firearms examination, conclusive match, United States, John List, Ted Bundy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Just because you don't have all the tools and training of a full-time medical examiner, doesn't mean you can't learn your way around a crime scene.

In Forensics, award-winning author and TV show consultant D.P. Lyle, M.D., takes each area of forensics--from fingerprint analysis to crime scene reconstruction--and discusses its development, how the science works, how it helps in crime solving, and how you as a writer might use this technique in crafting your plot. This comprehensive reference guide includes:

• Real-life case files and the role forensic evidence played in solving the crimes
• A breakdown of the forensics system from its history and organization to standard evidence classification and collection methods
• Detailed information on what a dead body can reveal--including the cause, mechanism, and manner of death
• The actual steps taken to preserve a crime scene and the evidence that can be gathered there, such as bloodstains, documents, fingerprints, tire impressions, and more

Forensics is the ultimate resource for learning how to accurately imbue your stories with authentic details of untimely demises.

About the Author
D. P. Lyle, MD is the Macavity Award winning and Edgar Award nominated author of the nonfiction books Murder and Mayhem: A Doctor Answers Medical and Forensic Questions for Mystery Writers and Forensics for Dummies. His published fiction includes the thrillers Devil’s Playground and Double Blind. He has worked as a story and technical consultant with many published authors and with the writers and producers of several popular television shows, including Law & Order, CSI: Miami, Monk, Medium and House. www.dplylemd.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books; illustrated edition edition (April 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582974748
• ISBN-13: 978-1582974743
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,489 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #7 in	Books > Nonfiction > Law > Criminal Law > Evidence
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference tool, July 2, 2008

By	Darian Ray "mystery author" (United States) - See all my reviews

I've been writing and publishing mysteries for over ten years, and this is one of the best reference books I've come across. The index is clear and the book easy to manuver around - I read it cover to cover and now it sits by my computer for easy access. Love it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Than I Expected, March 30, 2009

By	Saluki (Orlando, FL USA) - See all my reviews

The Howdunit Forensics book covers everything from DNA testing, to forgery, to asphyxia, and it covers it thoroughly.
For testing methods (i.e. paternity, DNA, etc.), the book will give you procedures, uses, how long they take, what kind of materials can be used to carry out the tests, the shortcomings of each test, and more.
For murder situations such as asphyxia and gunshot wounds, "Forensics" covers different types of strangulation and goes into how investigators can tell them apart. It's very specific, very informative, but not so informative that the reference feels like a textbook. There were times when I looked up a couple of things on the internet to supplement the information in the book, but it's a reference book, and in that regard, it does its job extremely well. And it definitely makes research a lot easier.
I really don't have anything to complain about with the book. Great for writers, easy to read/understand, just an all around good reference book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Howdunit Forensics....., February 25, 2009

By	Deborah K. Dobbins "Five By Five" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews

This book has greatly exceeded the expectations as a reference guide for my writing adventures. It is very detailed, organized and well thought out. It is very detailed and not for the faint of heart... so if in depth details about an autopsy or evidence collection is too much for you, you shouldn't read this.

I also place this book beyond a wrtiers guide. Though this is not a "textbook" by any means, this is great for anyone interested in a possible career in forensics as this would be a good way to learn about some generalized topics.