Product Description

Is there such a thing as the perfect crime?

In 1979, US Army captain, Jeffrey MacDonald claimed that three "hippies" broke into his house and attacked him and stabbed his wife and daughters. Despite the Army Captain's careful attempts to conceal evidence, forensic scientists were able to prove that MacDonald himself was guilty. Police Lab shows how forensic scientists gather and analyze evidence, examine weapons and bodies and use DNA testing and other techniques to help solve crime. Twenty real-life case studies show forensic scientists in action and demonstrate the fascinating secrets of police labs.

Police Lab includes:

• analyzing physical evidence and weapons
• fraud and forgeries including handwriting analysis
• DNA testing and the future of forensic science
• "forensic facts" sidebars throughout the book explaining how even the smallest detail and shred of evidence can help solve crime
• 20 real-life case studies including: The World Trade Center bombing, O.J. Simpson trial, assassination of John F. Kennedy and the conviction of serial killer Ted Bundy
• more than 200 color photographs

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #350708 in Books
• Published on: 2002-10-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-8-What with CSI one of the more popular shows around, forensic-science methods have made an entrance into many living rooms around the country, and there has been corresponding activity in the previously placid 363.25s. This addition to the genre discusses current methodology interspersed with actual forensic investigations into crimes as diverse as a brutal murder in 1889 to the causes of the gun turret explosion on the USS Iowa in 1989. Poison, strangulation, burning, drowning, shooting, and stabbing are some of the murderous methods explored in the readable text, as are such forensic tools as facial reconstruction, bite matching, ballistics, DNA screening, and the old standby, fingerprinting. Color photos abound, as do "Forensic Fact" and "Crime File" boxes. This title is on a comparable level with Andrea Campbell's more stolid Forensic Science (Chelsea, 1999) and Brian Lane's Crime & Detection (DK, 2000), and more difficult than Charlotte Foltz Jones's chattier Fingerprints and Talking Bones (Delacorte, 1997). Couple Owen's book with Mark P. Friedlander, Jr., and Terry M. Phillips's competent When Objects Talk (Lerner, 2001) and Donna M. Jackson's superb The Bone Detectives (Little, Brown, 1996) and put CSI on TiVo.
Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 6-12. Part forensics lesson and part historical crime review, this book blends fascinating and manageable detail with specific examples of famous cases most readers will recognize. Owen does an excellent job of explaining how forensics experts gather, analyze, and assess data on forgery, poisoning, suicides, explosions, and murder by fire, water, suffocation, and various weapons. Detailed descriptions of the forensics process are always put into historical context, with brief, gripping summaries of many famous cases and historical events, including the assassination of JFK, the discovery of diaries attributed to Hitler, the crimes of such serial killers as Ted Bundy, individual high-profile murders, and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The durable, glossy pages contain eye-catching color photos of criminals, crime scenes, and lab work, as well as occasional gruesome shots of victims. Whether moved by morbid curiosity or by Owen's command of his topic, both middle- and high-school readers will find this book an exciting, enlightening read. A lengthy glossary is appended. Roger Leslie
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
For those interested in how forensic science works, then Police Lab is a must-read. (Jennifer Warden TeensReadToo.com 200802)

Fascinating ... enough criminal horrors to be found in the 20 case studies to keep teens turning pages. (Linda Plwowarczyk Chicago Sun papers 20030619)

A very good introduction ... I recommend this entertaining, highly accessible text to all budding forensic-science buffs. (Robert R.J. Grispino Science Books and Films 20030515)

Compelling overview of forensic science ... Recommended. (Patricia S. Brown Library Media Connection 200305)

Poison, strangulation, burning, drowning, shooting, and stabbing are some of the murderous methods explored in the readable text. (Patricia Manning School Library Journal 20021215)

Fascinating ... both middle- and high-school readers will find this book an exciting, enlightening read. (Roger Leslie Booklist 20040306)

Not for the faint of heart, this book provides a wealth of information in a fascinating and clearly written presentation. (North Bay Nugget )