Product Description

A plain–English primer on crime scene investigation that′s a must for fans of CSI or Patricia Cornwell
Since the O. J. Simpson case, popular interest in forensic science has exploded: CBS′s CSI has 16 to 26 million viewers every week, and Patricia Cornwell′s novels featuring a medical examiner sleuth routinely top bestseller lists, to cite just a few examples. Now, everyone can get the lowdown on the science behind crime scene investigations. Using lots of fascinating case studies, forensics expert Dr. D. P. Lyle clues people in on everything from determining cause and time of death to fingerprints, fibers, blood, ballistics, forensic computing, and forensic psychology. With its clear, entertaining explanations of forensic procedures and techniques, this book will be an indispensable reference for mystery fans and true crime aficionados everywhere–and even includes advice for people interested in forensic science careers.
D. P. Lyle, MD (Laguna Hills, CA), is a practicing cardiologist who is also a forensics expert and mystery writer. He runs a Web site that answers writers′ questions about forensics, dplylemd.com, and is the author of Murder and Mayhem: A Doctor Answers Medical and Forensic Questions for Writers, as well as several mystery novels. John Pless, MD, is Professor Emeritus of Pathology at Indiana University School of Medicine and former President of the National Association of Medical Examiners.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14227 in Books
• Published on: 2004-04-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Review
“…leaves you wondering how anyone ever manages to get away with any crime, let alone murder. Highly recommended...” (Fortean Times, March 2005)

“…fascinating reading…a must–have book…a superb introduction to a fascinating subject…” (Ripperologist, July 2004)

Fortean Times, March 2005
"...leaves you wondering how anyone ever manages to get away with any crime, let alone murder. Highly recommended."

Synopsis
A plain-English primer on crime scene investigation that's a must for fans of CSI or Patricia Cornwell Since the O. J. Simpson case, popular interest in forensic science has exploded: CBS's CSI has 16 to 26 million viewers every week, and Patricia Cornwell's novels featuring a medical examiner sleuth routinely top bestseller lists, to cite just a few examples. Now, everyone can get the lowdown on the science behind crime scene investigations. Using lots of fascinating case studies, forensics expert Dr. D. P. Lyle clues people in on everything from determining cause and time of death to fingerprints, fibers, blood, ballistics, forensic computing, and forensic psychology. With its clear, entertaining explanations of forensic procedures and techniques, this book will be an indispensable reference for mystery fans and true crime aficionados everywhere-and even includes advice for people interested in forensic science careers. D. P. Lyle, MD (Laguna Hills, CA), is a practicing cardiologist who is also a forensics expert and mystery writer. He runs a Web site that answers writers' questions about forensics, dplylemd.com, and is the author of Murder and Mayhem: A Doctor Answers Medical and Forensic Questions for Writers, as well as several mystery novels.

John Pless, MD, is Professor Emeritus of Pathology at Indiana University School of Medicine and former President of the National Association of Medical Examiners.

Customer Reviews

There are 3 levels of forensics texts
1. the books aimed at those that watch CSI et al and would like to know a little bit more

2. those aimed at undergraduates and other students

3. those aimed for use by "proper" forensic scientists

This book is firmly in the first catagory (there is nothing wrong with that) i agree with another reviews remark that this should not form the basis of any reserch (part of a degree is the diserning of relevent info at the right level) however if the odd student needs this book as a starting point to understand the question prior to reserch then ive never seen a problem.

However i would not recomend Jackson and Jackson as a "better introduction" more rather Crime scene to court, or possibly Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques.

Brilliant and gifted
Lecturers and teachers who moan about this book have totally missed the point: it is not a serious text for wannabe scientists or degree students. The title should be the biggest clue. Any student who actually uses it as the main source of material for a degree level essay (rather than Jackson and Jackson, White, Saferstein, Lee or Pepper)should be sacked and sent home.
Forensics for Dummies is written by a man who has been there and done that - and this shows in his text and content. Many of his peers have aparently spent too long in Universities and have failed, as a result, to engage their readers.
I commend this book to you as an easy way of entering the world of forensic science, not as a text book.

Not Recommended
Many of my students have made use of this book - and their assignments have suffered. Not recommended. For a good readable introduction to forensic science try Jackson & Jackson's "Forensic Science".