Solving Crimes (Lives in Science) [Library Binding]

Ron Fridell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2000 | Series: Lives in Science

Profiles the work of six individuals whose work shaped the field of forensic science: Alphonse Betrillon, Edward Henry, Karl Landsteiner, Edmond Locard, Clyde Snow, and Alec Jeffreys.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-Although there are numerous titles available that describe techniques used in modern forensic science, few do more than mention the significant pioneers in the field. Fridell documents the accomplishments of six men over the past century, from Parisian file clerk Alphonse Bertillon's system of measuring and recording the physical characteristics of criminals to British scientist Alec Jeffreys's development of "DNA fingerprinting." In the case of each individual, it is passion and persistence, often in the face of indifference or ridicule, that made the significant achievement possible. Technical terms, italicized in the text, are defined in a glossary. Most definitions are adequate when combined with contextual clues, but some are too minimal to be useful. For instance, "blood typing" is defined as "classifying a person's blood according to its blood type." Black-and-white photos, reproductions, and diagrams enhance the presentation and occasionally show some important aspects of the techniques under discussion. An annotated list of Internet addresses and the names and addresses of eight museums and exhibits in the United States offer opportunities for continued exploration of this fascinating field.
Ann G. Brouse, Big Flats Branch Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Mystery buffs, future criminologists, curious browsers, and students scouting for a great report topic will be fascinated by Fridell's profiles of six men responsible for some of the most significant advances in the field of forensic science. In compact, surprisingly readable chapters, Fridell spans the relatively short history of the discipline, from Bertillon's complex system to describing criminals in the 1880s to Jeffrey's discovery of DNA fingerprinting in 1984. Citing cases in which each man's contribution was the determining factor in establishing identity or proving guilt or innocence, he explains how techniques such as bertillonage, fingerprinting, and blood typing evolved, and how scientists learned to examine skeletons, trace evidence, and use DNA to solve crimes. Sophisticated scientific concepts--which could easily bog down even the most interested readers--are clearly explained in the text and redefined in the glossary. Researchers will appreciate the source notes, extensive bibliography, annotated list of Web sites, and a list of museums and exhibits devoted to forensic science. Chris Sherman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Library Binding: 144 pages
• Publisher: Franklin Watts (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531117219
• ISBN-13: 978-0531117217
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,626,744 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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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 Passion for Crime, February 25, 2000

By 

Patricia Walsh - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solving Crimes (Lives in Science) (Library Binding)

Ron Fridell's new book, Solving Crimes: Pioneers of Forensic Science, examines the careers and lives of six influential forensic scientists. It begins in the 1800s with Alphonse Bertillon's precise measurements of the physical features of criminals, and continues through to the work today of Alec Jeffreys and his incredible discovery of DNA variability that is used for DNA fingerprinting. Mr. Fridell tells this story through intriguing case examples. He clearly explains both the simple and the complex techniques each scientist discovered and developed. And he leads the reader to discover the personal qualities that separate these men from others and make them scientific pioneers. Each man had a passion for order, a gift for making sense of conflicting information, and a determination to overcome the obstacles that blocked the acceptance of new ideas. The names of Alphonse Bertillon, Edward Henry, Karl Landsteiner, Edmond Locard, Clyde Snow, and Alec Jeffreys may not be household words. But law enforcement officials and justice departments could not make accusations or acquittals based on physical evidence without the ingenious work of these pioneers of forensic science. It is a story well told.