Forensics: True Crime Scene Investigations

by Zakaria Erzinçlioğlu

Written by one of the world's most respected forensic scientists, this book presents a gripping and fully illustrated study of the techniques that are familiar to us from countless trials, media reports or television dramas. Among the areas discussed are causes of death, including poisons, knife wounds and shootings; the evidence that leads to the conviction of criminals; and how identities of victims and times of death are deduced. As well as setting out the principles that lie behind the forensic process, the author also sets out the limitations of the science, and shows how forensic evidence can somehow lead to wrongful conviction. Many recent and historic cases are discussed in some detail; if you've ever wondered why the "gloves didn't fit" O J Simpson, or whether Rasputin was really poisoned by cyanide, you'll find the answers in this brilliantly researched and illuminating book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Crime, True Crime, School, Reference

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Geoff Cumberbeach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have become interested in Forensic Science since I did a 7 week course at U3A (University of Third Age) last year. This book is and excellent followup, a revision and new facts. It is written in a very conversational, easy to read, style.
The author is obviously an expert and although the book was published a few years ago (1999/2004) it is still very relevant.

"The practice of Forensic science ... is the cultivation of a suspicious mind. ... followed up with sound reasoning. This mixture of suspicion and reason is the forensic scientist’s forte." p13

"Expect the unexpected." p30

"Forensic science is constantly developing, and any current tests must be looked upon as potentially fallible, a fact many forensic scientists, lawyers and police officers have difficulty accepting." p107

[Baja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Táto mimoriadne pútavá kniha z pera uznávaného odborníka vás vtiahne do vzrušujúceho sveta profesionálnych vyšetrovateľov. Detailne vás oboznámi s vyšetrovateľskými postupmi a technikami vedúcimi k odhaleniu zločincov. Hodnotu tohto populárneho-náučného sprievodcu prácou vyšetrovateľa okrem bohatej obrazovej prílohy zvyšuje aj historické pozadie - k jednotlivým tematickým okruhom sú priradené kriminálne prípady, ktoré zarezonovali vo viac či menej vzdialenej minulosti.

Kniha ma hneď zaujala svojou tematikou, nakoľko sa o forenznú kriminalistiku intenzívne zaujímam.

Názov, obálka, grafická stránka knihy
Kniha pojednáva o forenznej psychológii, čiže názov sedí úplne presne. Obálka je veľmi zaujímavá a pútavá. Grafická stránka knihy je zvládnutá na výbornú. Text je vkusne a prehľadne doplnený obrázkami. Farebné kombinácie sú zvládnuté tiež veľmi dobre. Menší detail, ktorý mi miestami vadilo, bol nezarovnaný text.

Anotácia
Anotácia je síce krátka a môže sa zdať nedostatočnou, ale knihu vystihuje presne a navnadí vás k čítaniu.

Obsah knihy
Kniha naozaj oboznamuje čitateľom s nespočetným množstvom odvetví, no pritom je stále prehľadná a pochopiteľná. V niektorých prípadoch však podľa mňa autor zbytočne skomplikoval vety, lebo sa v nich dal použiť jednoduchší slovosled alebo výber slov pre lepšie pochopenie. Táto kniha mi toho veľa dala, lebo napriek tomu, že som toho už z forenznej kriminalistiky vedela dosť, tak ma táto kniha zásobila čisto novými a zaujímavými informáciami. Oceňujem "rubriku" história prípadu, tá bola pre mňa veľmi zaujímavá.

Knihu odporúčam každému, koho zaujíma forenzná kriminalistika. Vďaka jej jednoduchosti a prehľadnosti je radosť ju čítať.

[Rose]

Dr E. has a bit of a thing with recreational drugs. They turn him all odd or old-fashioned.

Two examples:

1) Describing cannabis: "The fresh material smells like spearmint, albeit with a difference". Granted, I've never smelt any that was particularly fresh, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't smell like spearmint.

2) Describing cocaine: "It is a most dangerous drug, which, when it does not kill, degrades the addict to such an extent that a description of the symptoms would be indelicate."

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book. Written in the UK so it had some case studies I had never heard of. It also was a bit of an eye opener to see the differences between the countries, for example dog evidence is not admissible in UK courts.

[Susan Mazur Stommen · Rating 3 out of 5]

British viewpoint. Lots of updates to historical cases. Learned a lot about poisons!