The Science of Cold Case Files [Mass Market Paperback]

Katherine Ramsland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2004

COLD CASE:
An inexplicable death is ruled to be an unfortunate accident--until authorities link it to the broken bones of a kidnap victim years later.

COLD CASE:
A braid is found belonging to a woman missing for 18 years--how can it solve the mystery of her disappearance?

The Science of Cold Case Files(r) reveals the absorbing true stories behind the pioneering A&E television series, and the intrepid detectives whose investigations resulted in the resolution of the most baffling of crimes-sometimes decades after they were committed.

From handwriting analysis, facial reconstruction, fingerprints and K-9 detectives, state-of-the-art DNA technology, and old-fashioned perseverance and police work, here is a detailed look at the methods used in forensic detection. Featuring the most fascinating Cold Case Files(r) on record, some of these cases have never been seen on television. Plus, this book offers an inside look at the intriguing clues found in cases that remain unsolved to this day.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Katherine Ramsland has a master's degree in forensic psychology from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She has published numerous books, including The Forensic Science of CSI and biographies of Anne Rice and Dean Koontz. Ramsland also spent a year as a research assistant to former FBI profiler John Douglas, the results of which were published in The Cases That Haunt Us. Currently, she writes forensic science articles for Court TV's Crime Library.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (September 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 042519793X
• ISBN-13: 978-0425197936
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #436,192 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

8 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is as good as it gets, March 17, 2005

By 

Jules (Asia Pacific) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science of Cold Case Files (Mass Market Paperback)

For all you TV thriller fans, The Science of Cold Case Files is an in depth exploration into the world of modern forensic science, the kind highly-acclaimed CBS TV drama `CSI: Crime Scene Investigation' is based upon. Yes, it's that interesting. It's also heavier.

Like the series, there's the thrill of discovery to The Cold Case. The only other book to have given me a such a rush to date, was Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, both having in common, thriller elements and insights into a specialized world we could - who knows - accidentally careen into by force of circumstance, tomorrow. Just knowing this will engage your imagination.

Except that the Cold Case delivers this with more gravity, being an expose on the dark side of man, and it's also heavy with science stuff. So, it cannot  quite be described as unputdownable but the wonder of it all is Ramsland is a lucid and concise writer, so if you're a diehard CSI fan, like me, it'll be a book you'll want to finish, when you can.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am waiting for a sequel!!, January 6, 2009

By 

Jessie - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science of Cold Case Files (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was fascinating. I could not put it down. I hope that there will be a sequel.