Howdunit Forensics

by D.P. Lyle

Just because you don't have all the tools and training of a full-time medical examiner, doesn't mean you can't learn your way around a crime scene.In Forensics, award-winning author and TV show consultant D.P. Lyle, M.D., takes each area of forensics-from fingerprint analysis to crime scene reconstruction-and discusses its development, how the science works, how it helps in crime solving, and how you as a writer might use this technique in crafting your plot. This comprehensive reference guide includes: Real-life case files and the role forensic evidence played in solving the crimesA breakdown of the forensics system from its history and organization to standard evidence classification and collection methodsDetailed information on what a dead body can reveal-including the cause, mechanism, and manner of deathThe actual steps taken to preserve a crime scene and the evidence that can be gathered there, such as bloodstains, documents, fingerprints, tire impressions, and moreForensics is the ultimate resource for learning how to accurately imbue your stories with authentic details of untimely demises.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference, Science, Research, Crime, True Crime

ebook

First published March 21, 2008

About the author

DP Lyle, MD is the Macavity and Benjamin Franklin Silver Award winning and Edgar, Agatha, Anthony, Scribe, Silver Falchion, and USA Best Book Award nominated author of many non-fiction books as well as numerous works of fiction.

He has worked with many novelists and with the writers of popular television shows such as Law & Order, CSI: Miami, Diagnosis Murder, Monk, House, Medium, and Pretty Little Liars and others

For the past 35 years, he has practiced Cardiology in Orange County, California. He is the co-host, along with Jan Burke, of Crime and Science Radio, a twice-monthly program on Suspense Radio.

Reviews

[Elena Linville-Abdo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars: 5 out of 5.

Very good book and a must read for anyone who write crime fiction. Or even for people who just want to know a little more about forensics than what's shown on TV shows like CSI.

I don't write crime books, but I sure love reading them. And watching crime shows like CSI or Criminal Minds. So this book was right up my alley. It explains in plain and simple terms how crime scene investigation and evidence collection works. You will learn about different types of evidence that can be collected at a crimes scene and how they are analyzed and presented to court.

Honestly, I think this book isn't just for writers. It's for anyone who wants to know slightly more about how forensics work but doesn't have a medical or criminal investigation degree. It's simple, but that's what is needed for beginners. After all, you've got to start somewhere, right?

If you liked this review, check out my blog.

[Cell · Rating 4 out of 5]

資訊量有夠多
多到將任意2頁的內容塞進小說中就會覺得作家有做功課的程度
原文書名的 A Guide for Writers 該不會是作者避免麻煩的說詞吧
--
雖然大多數人沒有這樣的壞習慣，這本書拿來配飯有部分會有問題
雖然本書沒有任何實際的照片
但我在採檢要從哪切到哪，再從哪鋸到哪的圖（即使只是墨線圖）
以及屍體腐爛現象的文字敘述部分會有點受不了
--
本書可能有些國情不同的地方
關於法醫的制度、作業SOP、可用儀器及資料庫等可能會與台灣不同
還有不會有「向這把槍的申請人問話比對」這種合法擁槍國家的特有管道
以及本國能夠調閱鋪天蓋地的監視器就能限縮可疑人士的現象

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Howdunit: Forensics" is a basic course in forensics. Though the subtitle says it's a guide for writers, there's a lot more information in it than an author could use in a novel without bogging the action down (though I do highly recommend they read this!). It's actually a book for anyone interested in learning the basics of forensics. It doesn't say things like, "In your novel, you could do this..." but simply gives real life examples of how everything works or how real criminals act.

The book was well-written and interesting. I never had a problem following what the author was explaining even though it did get technical at times. A wide range of topics were covered with enough depth that most people would learn all they cared to know. Brief, real case files or made-up examples were used to demonstrate how a certain technique is used to reconstruct the crime scene or help identify a criminal. The book covered murders, but also theft, arson, and forgery. It talked about determining if a death was from natural causes, accident, suicide, or homicide. The author also gave a little history about how various techniques were developed and improved over the decades.

Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about forensics.


Topics covered: Medical examiners versus coroners; gathering evidence; the steps involved in an autopsy and what can be discovered; how to discover the identity of a dead body; determining the time of death; determining how the victim died; identifying what caused the wounds; what to look for in suffocation cases (including hanging and strangling); using blood and bodily fluids to help identify the criminal; using DNA to identify the criminal; how to identify when toxic substances (including drug overdose and poisons) caused death; fingerprints; using bloodstains to reconstruct the sequence of a crime; finding, preserving, and using impressions (of shoes, tires, tools, and fabric); finding and using trace evidence (hairs, fur, etc.); identifying the gun type and specific gun used in a crime from bullets, etc.; arson investigation; handwriting and forgery examination; and profiling. The appendix contained more information about the various tools used in forensics.

[Gwyn Haller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be in every writers' case of "tools". Mystery,thriller,and crime novelists are not the only type of writer who could and should use this book. Why?

Besides covering every detail of a crime and all the branches of Forensics in way that would be useful for a writer--television shows like CSI, NCIS, Burn Notice, all the crime and some medical shows present the viewer that every crime lab has all the resources shown on the television screen and it is assumed that your crime lab would have the same technology,science gadgets, machines, technicians and man power to devote to each piece of key evidence.

Also if your story comes anywhere near a crime scene--becareful where the blood does and does not spatter! Not only that, be correct about what color or colors the body is! If your victim died from carbon monoxide (CO)or cyanide poisioning or died in a cold temperature right before death check the heading Livor Mortis (in my copy pg 96). Also if your victim died and then was rolled and moved around as the body was hidden you better get the coloring right or you'll get the time of death wrong! Also don't get Livor Mortis confused with Rigor Mortis. Also, just having a reference to turn to should your character get involved in a contraption that malfuntions and your character or victim suffers both a shattering coup and counter-coup injury and your Medical examiner is wondering if he had a cardiac event?

The whole point of this book is to give writers a chance to create great fiction with what scientific, technological, medical and crime research has made availible to solve crimes---even if reality would not allow a CSI tech to bring back every cigerette butt, chewing gum wrapper, fiber etc. to the lab and spend the years' budget on one crime scene!

I love this book.

You will enjoy the "Case Files" in this book.

With D.P Lyle's book, we can create our characters to speak with authority and confidence--just don't have the character explain how every forensic concept,task and machine works because D.P. Lyle makes it sound so interesting!

[P. Wish · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a crime fiction writer looking for a reference book on forensics, this is the way to go. This book is worth every penny you spend on it. In this book, the author takes us through the main elements of a forensic investigation. The book is split into three parts and eighteen chapters. The first part, containing two chapters explains the forensics system. The second part explains the role of the coroner, autopsy and its stages. This part was my favourite as it answered my questions about how bodies are identified, determination of the time of death, how the victim died, DNA analysis, blood and poisons. The third part covers what happens in a crime lab. Topics include fingerprints, bloodstains, impressions, arson investigations and criminal psychology.

The book is very well-researched and presents information in a way that benefits writers. The author follows the line of thinking that a crime writer and I felt that helped make the book more accessible. Howdunit: Forensics is not the kind of book that you read in one go (although you can). I think it benefitted me to read the book in parts, focusing on the elements that were needed to enhance my mystery novel. In that sense, it's more like a textbook but a lot more fun.

Overall, I recommend this guide to any aspiring mystery writer. Even if you're not writing about forensics, the information presented in this book will help you write better mysteries. The science of it is well-explained and somebody with an interest in biology and science would also enjoy this book. It's part of my writer's bookshelf now.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the targeted audience for this comprehensive reference book, part of the Writer’s Digest Howdunit series, is the writer, anyone with an interest in forensics and crime scene investigation will find much to appreciate here. In an examination of the science behind the various components of crime scene analysis and reconstruction, readers look at their development, explore how they fit into the process of crime investigation, and discover how writers might use this type of information in developing a plotline.

Beginning with the Forensics System, readers investigate the history of forensic science before moving on to the work of the coroner. The Crime Scene and The Crime Lab follow with investigations into fingerprints, bloodstains, impressions, trace evidence, firearms, arson, handwriting and forgery, and criminal psychology.

The inclusion of real-life cases and the examination of the role forensic evidence played in solving the crime make for informative [if occasionally a bit gruesome] reading. An appendix offers details on forensic science tools.

Highly recommended.

[J Manansala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful reference. This book is thorough and detailed, yet easy enough for the average writer to understand. I consider it a necessity for any author who dabbles in crime, thrillers, and mysteries. Although the book is reminiscent of a textbook, it's quite fascinating in its delivery and information. The occasional "forensic case files" provide greater insight on the importance of such details and are morbidly intriguing to read on their own. Would even recommend to a non-author friend who may just be interested in forensics.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Writer's Digest Howdunit series. As with the other books in this series that I've read, Forensics: A Guide for Writers was added to my reference shelves.

FYI -- Dr. Lyle's website, dplylemd.com, offers insightful blog postings and articles related to both forensics in specific and mysteries in general. The site and his book are highly recommended.

[Judie Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone interested in Forensics should read this book. Very well written and easy to understand. every aspect of forensics is contained in it's own separate chapter. I especially like the "case histories" that told what was done to prove h ow a person was guilty or not of committing the crime, or as the book states "WHO DONE IT"

[Lyle Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exceptional. I use it as my guide in my detective fiction novels. I would never be without it I bought it several years ago and only recently read through it. I'm so not a medical person, but the language is so easy for a layman to understand that it makes it easy to understand.
If your writing in detective fiction this is a must for your library.

[Roger Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use this as a reference book. I've learned quite a bit about forensics from this book. It is really detailed and a great tool for writing a murder mystery (that I have yet to write). This book will help me write the perfectly believable murder mystery.

[Max Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thorough and comprehensive volume on the topic.

Large and informative, this book gives all information you need to get an overview of the forensics technology and techniques available to law enforcement.

[Aaron Jura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for any writer when dealing with a dead body. Dr. Lyle presents the information in a compelling way that is easy enough for a layman to understand. This is my go to reference guide when writing mystery novels.

[George Polansky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent Guide to Forensics. It covers the field in a clear and understandable narrative.

[T.L. Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess Howdunit Forensics: A Guide for Writers by D. P. Lyle, M.D. was in my to-be-read stack for quite a long time before I started reading it. I initially bought it to do research for a couple of mysteries I was writing. When one of those books turned into more of a mainstream novel removing emphasis from the mystery element, I put Howdundt Forensics to the side. Then as I was editing the book I realized there were some factual issues I needed to address, so I found Lyle's book and started reading. Initially just to fill in those gaps, but I soon realized the book itself offers a great foundation for writing multiple elements of a book that includes a criminal aspect. Lyle explains forensics in layman's terms while always honoring the science. I appreciated his attention to process and detail as well as his honest depictions even when it meant pointing out the errors we often let pass by us when reading, watching, or writing crime fiction. Howdunit Forensics is an informative and helpful book for the crime fiction writer or even the writer who just has a story with a criminal investigation sprinkled between the main plot line. I think even crime fiction readers who don't write would find this book interesting. Lyle makes forensics accessible, so that it's easy to incorporate into the writing process.

[DeAnna Knippling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not knowing a lot about forensics, I can't say whether this book is a) accurate or b) thorough. However, gave me some story ideas and did spend some time on how forensics was handled through the years, so I could extrapolate a reasonable investigation in, say, 15th-century China, if I wanted to. Good enough for me :) The lack of fifth star came from the poor editing, though. Not atrocious, just...surprisingly poor.

[Betsy Ashton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in learning more about forensics beyond what you see on CSI and Law and Order, this is the book for you. Dr. Lyle explains complex details of all topics that fall under the broad rubric of forensics in simple terms. If you are a writer who touches on any of the standard crime topics, motive, means, DNA, blood splatter, etc., this book should be on your shelf. After you've read it cover to cover.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever watched an episode of CSI and been fascinated by what they say? This is ALL of that. It explains rather difficult concepts and even has diagrams that seem like they should belong in a criminal justice textbook. I'm sure you can BS a lot of details and have it pass, but if you want to make sure your stuff is medically sound, seriously check out this book.

[Eric Susak · Rating 3 out of 5]

The table of contents and index make this a good reference guide for writing about crime, but I wouldn't recommend reading it all the way through (think textbook, a stream of out-of-context facts).

Unrelated to the content: I noticed quite a few typos.

[Jennifer Worrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book. A lot of detail and information on specific cases; very helpful without dumbing anything down.

I am thinking about buying a copy just to have around for future murders. I mean murder mysteries. Yes, that's right

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of three books of an amazing series that I hope will have further volumes. It's very handy to use a reference book as a writer and it's pretty fascinating just for reading as well.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun little reference book. Some interesting points in here. I do not use it for a career, but I got it for enjoyment and it has given me that.

[Dawn Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulously helpful book for authors who need this sort of research material.

[Ellen Kucharik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now to write the great murder mystery!

[Preethi V · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a crime fiction writer looking for a reference book on forensics, this is the way to go. This book is worth every penny you spend on it. In this book, the author takes us through the main elements of a forensic investigation. The book is split into three parts and eighteen chapters. The first part, containing two chapters explains the forensics system. The second part explains the role of the coroner, autopsy and its stages. This part was my favourite as it answered my questions about how bodies are identified, determination of the time of death, how the victim died, DNA analysis, blood and poisons. The third part covers what happens in a crime lab. Topics include fingerprints, bloodstains, impressions, arson investigations and criminal psychology.

The book is very well-researched and presents information in a way that benefits writers. The author follows the line of thinking that a crime writer and I felt that helped make the book more accessible. Howdunit: Forensics is not the kind of book that you read in one go (although you can). I think it benefitted me to read the book in parts, focusing on the elements that were needed to enhance my mystery novel. In that sense, it's more like a textbook but a lot more fun.

Overall, I recommend this guide to any aspiring mystery writer. Even if you're not writing about forensics, the information presented in this book will help you write better mysteries. The science of it is well-explained and somebody with an interest in biology and science would also enjoy this book. It's part of my writer's bookshelf now.