I was wrong, though. This is a great book. It is laid out by technique (Ballistics, DNA, Odonotology etc) then chronologically by case so you can see the development of the method over time.

The cases are quite short (ranging from one page to three or four) but a lot of information is imparted. Usually, we hear about the crime, the trial and the conclusion. The descriptions are straight forward and, while sometimes shocking, they are not needlessly gruesome.

It is a book pitched to anyone with an interest in forensics - the legal and medical professions as well as the general reader. This would probably be a great starting point for anyone doing background research but probably doesn't go into enough detail to be particularly useful on its own.

Don't be put off by the cover (or the title for that matter!), this is a great read.


The Casebook of Forensic Detection   August 6, 2002
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

This is an ideal book for a student of forensic science or law, who may need help to find out various cases for their studies. It gives a guide to many different cases throughout the last century, with enough detail for the student to be able to do further research.
Each new section has a brief review of what the subject matter is eg Ballistics. Colin tells a little of what ballistics is about, including some history, then he writes a little about the subject of firearms and then what can happen when firearms are fired. Other subjects covered are Cause of Death, Disputed Documents, DNA Typing, Explosives and Fire, Fingerprinting, Forensic Anthropology, Odontology, Psychological Profiling, Identification of Remains, Serology, Time of Death, Toxicology, Trace Evidence and Voiceprints.
The appendix in the book is on Forensic Pioneers and Their Cases and here Colin lists 9 forensic scientists giving their year of birth and if dead, their year of death, also a brief outline of their career or some other pertinent detail, with a list of the significant cases which they worked on.
This book is well written and with enough detail to give those who are not involved in this field a very enjoyable read.


A Basic Intro to the Realm of Forensic Science   June 7, 1999
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

The book is a basic introduction into the multiple aspects of forensic detection. While well-written, I was hoping for a bit more detail as to the technical processes utilized to analyze the evidence. I would recommend the book, albeit not to someone in the field. The book is a nice overview of the history of the field of forensic science.


An excellent book a vauled edition to any bookcase   May 29, 1999
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

The book is clearly set out with a Introduction at the beginning of the chapter and a conculsion at the end.

This book covers all aspects of forensic scince. Form explosion and fire to Serolgy it is a truly well rounded book.

The way the book is written a two year old could read it, it is so simple.

This book is a must for forensics


Engrossing & Concise   April 24, 1999
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Good book for those not willing to read a long-winded, drawn-out book dealing with forensic science. The case examples are concise. I was pleased with the selection of forensic methods presented. Well worth reading.