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Crime Scene Ultimate Guide to Forensic Science by Platt, Richard [DK ADULT,2003] [Hardcover]
Excellent Book
Hardcover
First published May 19, 2003
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384 people want to read
About the author
Richard Platt
288 books25 followers(1953–)
Richard Platt is the author of more than sixty informative books for young readers, and he also writes for innovative multimedia projects. Some of his most popular works have been collaborations with illustrator Stephen Biesty on the "Cross-Sections" series. After a failed attempt to forge a career as a photographer, Platt discovered that he had a knack for writing. "I started writing about photography: first magazine articles, then books," he explained on the Walker Books Web site. "I got a job editing children's books, then went on to write them."
In the 1990s, Platt teamed up with popular juvenile illustrator Biesty for several books, beginning with Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross-Sections Book, published in 1992. The following year, a second volume in the series, Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections Man-of-War, proved equally interesting for late-elementary-age readers, especially those enchanted by seventeenth-century battleships. Alongside Biesty's cutaway illustrations, Platt provides explanatory text that indicates the purpose and activities in each section of the ship. The hardships of life aboard such vessels for their often 800-member crews are not overlooked, either, and the drawings depict food rations crawling with maggots and a doctor's pail containing severed limbs. Ellen Mandel, writing for Booklist, asserted that Platt's "intriguing text" serves to make "this meticulously presented book a treasure of factual content and visual imagery."
For Stephen Biesty's Incredible Everything, Platt provides informative paragraphs to accompany the illustrations for many everyday products, such as athletic shoes and compact discs. Much of the text revolves around the manufacturing process. Stephen Biesty's Incredible Body is a lesson in human anatomy, with sections on each of the body's systems and several major organs; the digestive system alone takes up four pages. Platt has also worked with the illustrator on Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections Castle and Stephen Biesty's Incredible Explosions.
Working with publisher Dorling Kindersley, Platt has authored several titles in their "Eyewitness" series, some of which have appeared in the United States under the Knopf/Borzoi imprint. Pirate details the world of corsairs, privateers, and crime on the high seas throughout history. A reviewer for Science Books and Films, Richard B. Woodbury, praised the work as "a veritable miniencyclopedia or minimuseum" and "a pleasure to look at." Spy chronicles the history of espionage and the decisive role intelligence-gathering triumphs have played in history. Of particular emphasis are the code-breaking endeavors by Allied intelligence networks during World War II. Shipwreck, also part of the "Eyewitness" series, investigates famous sea disasters and rescues. Like the other books in the popular series, Shipwreck is lavishly illustrated. Chris Stephenson, writing in School Librarian, called it "an excellent source of historical evidence and nautical information."
Platt has also written several books about inventions. His The Smithsonian Visual Timeline of Inventions, which appeared in 1994, won praise from reviewers for its comprehensiveness. Platt divides the development of technology throughout the ages into five sections, including agriculture, conquest, and communication. The timeline begins at 600,000 BCE, around the time humans likely began using fire, and includes predictions for innovations that may occur in the near future. Cathryn A. Camper, reviewing The Smithsonian Visual Timeline of Inventions for School Library Journal, praised Platt's skilled use of illustration and text, which the critic felt "teaches a sophisticated form of literacy similar to" that provided with multimedia learning tools—an area in which Platt already had a great deal of writing experience. "Readers will delight in the colorful pictures and the text, which gives just enough information to satisfy curiosity," opined Voice of Youth Advo
Richard Platt is the author of more than sixty informative books for young readers, and he also writes for innovative multimedia projects. Some of his most popular works have been collaborations with illustrator Stephen Biesty on the "Cross-Sections" series. After a failed attempt to forge a career as a photographer, Platt discovered that he had a knack for writing. "I started writing about photography: first magazine articles, then books," he explained on the Walker Books Web site. "I got a job editing children's books, then went on to write them."
In the 1990s, Platt teamed up with popular juvenile illustrator Biesty for several books, beginning with Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross-Sections Book, published in 1992. The following year, a second volume in the series, Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections Man-of-War, proved equally interesting for late-elementary-age readers, especially those enchanted by seventeenth-century battleships. Alongside Biesty's cutaway illustrations, Platt provides explanatory text that indicates the purpose and activities in each section of the ship. The hardships of life aboard such vessels for their often 800-member crews are not overlooked, either, and the drawings depict food rations crawling with maggots and a doctor's pail containing severed limbs. Ellen Mandel, writing for Booklist, asserted that Platt's "intriguing text" serves to make "this meticulously presented book a treasure of factual content and visual imagery."
For Stephen Biesty's Incredible Everything, Platt provides informative paragraphs to accompany the illustrations for many everyday products, such as athletic shoes and compact discs. Much of the text revolves around the manufacturing process. Stephen Biesty's Incredible Body is a lesson in human anatomy, with sections on each of the body's systems and several major organs; the digestive system alone takes up four pages. Platt has also worked with the illustrator on Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections Castle and Stephen Biesty's Incredible Explosions.
Working with publisher Dorling Kindersley, Platt has authored several titles in their "Eyewitness" series, some of which have appeared in the United States under the Knopf/Borzoi imprint. Pirate details the world of corsairs, privateers, and crime on the high seas throughout history. A reviewer for Science Books and Films, Richard B. Woodbury, praised the work as "a veritable miniencyclopedia or minimuseum" and "a pleasure to look at." Spy chronicles the history of espionage and the decisive role intelligence-gathering triumphs have played in history. Of particular emphasis are the code-breaking endeavors by Allied intelligence networks during World War II. Shipwreck, also part of the "Eyewitness" series, investigates famous sea disasters and rescues. Like the other books in the popular series, Shipwreck is lavishly illustrated. Chris Stephenson, writing in School Librarian, called it "an excellent source of historical evidence and nautical information."
Platt has also written several books about inventions. His The Smithsonian Visual Timeline of Inventions, which appeared in 1994, won praise from reviewers for its comprehensiveness. Platt divides the development of technology throughout the ages into five sections, including agriculture, conquest, and communication. The timeline begins at 600,000 BCE, around the time humans likely began using fire, and includes predictions for innovations that may occur in the near future. Cathryn A. Camper, reviewing The Smithsonian Visual Timeline of Inventions for School Library Journal, praised Platt's skilled use of illustration and text, which the critic felt "teaches a sophisticated form of literacy similar to" that provided with multimedia learning tools—an area in which Platt already had a great deal of writing experience. "Readers will delight in the colorful pictures and the text, which gives just enough information to satisfy curiosity," opined Voice of Youth Advo
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 7, 2019
Very informative and interesting book about the processes and technology that goes into solving crimes. A little like a textbook but short if you are looking for some quick research and facts. A few case studies are included.
May 2, 2018
Richard Platt wrote another book, this time he wrote an informational book about the process of a crime scene and how police and forensic science solves it. Crime Scene: The Ultimate Guide to Forensic Science goes through the journey of a crime scene and talks about the way evidence is collected and how it is solved to help the crime scene.
This book goes through each step at a crime, they start at when police arrive. They talk about different types of evidence and how it helps solve a crime. Next, they go on about the victim and how the time of death and an autopsy can help the case. They talk about the different types of human identification and how forensic scientists analyze evidence collected at the scene. Then they talk about the suspect, profiling, and how weapons are matched to a scene. Lastly, Richard Platt talks about crime without corpses, like forgery and robbery, and how they are solved which can be different than a homicide.
Anyone who enjoys mystery or learning about crime will enjoy Crime Scene: The Ultimate Guide to Forensic Science. The Crime Scene: The Ultimate Guide to Forensic Science brings you through the mystery and steps of a crime scene. The way this book is written make it easy understand the information. Overall the book is very informational, yet it keeps the reader interested.
This book goes through each step at a crime, they start at when police arrive. They talk about different types of evidence and how it helps solve a crime. Next, they go on about the victim and how the time of death and an autopsy can help the case. They talk about the different types of human identification and how forensic scientists analyze evidence collected at the scene. Then they talk about the suspect, profiling, and how weapons are matched to a scene. Lastly, Richard Platt talks about crime without corpses, like forgery and robbery, and how they are solved which can be different than a homicide.
Anyone who enjoys mystery or learning about crime will enjoy Crime Scene: The Ultimate Guide to Forensic Science. The Crime Scene: The Ultimate Guide to Forensic Science brings you through the mystery and steps of a crime scene. The way this book is written make it easy understand the information. Overall the book is very informational, yet it keeps the reader interested.
April 25, 2020
This book was a very basic introduction to Forensic Science. What I liked about this book was all the pictures that lined up with the information. It really allowed you to see what the author was describing. The down fall of this book was that it was way too basic. I really liked the case studies and would have loved to have more of them throughout the book. If you are looking for a basic level of information this is a great book!
October 14, 2019
Listened to Forensic Files while reading this. Felt like the universe was harmonizing. Very informative! So glad technology books are turning out to be less intimidating than anticipated. DK is one of my favorite publishers of encyclopedias.
July 29, 2018
An interesting read for anyone with an interest in forensic science
May 5, 2016
One word that I can use to describe Crime Scene by Richard Platt is engrossing. This word represents the book because there are a lot of intriguing facts and information . about forensic investigation. It is considered a mystery nonfiction book. I felt compelled to read about it.
I chose this book because it was very intriguing and I thought that it was a classic. Two of the things I learned included how polygraph tests work and some really interesting facts about The Adolf Hitler diaries.
This book was a page-turner because it showed me a lot of the different aspects of forensic science. Another reason the book was a page-turner
was the pictures for the book was so exciting. Another reason this book was a page-turner was because the book had one picture of Adolf Hitler. Although this book isn't about him, there was a page in the book that was called the Hitler Diaries.
I chose this book because it was very intriguing and I thought that it was a classic. Two of the things I learned included how polygraph tests work and some really interesting facts about The Adolf Hitler diaries.
This book was a page-turner because it showed me a lot of the different aspects of forensic science. Another reason the book was a page-turner
was the pictures for the book was so exciting. Another reason this book was a page-turner was because the book had one picture of Adolf Hitler. Although this book isn't about him, there was a page in the book that was called the Hitler Diaries.
September 20, 2010
When I actually watch tv, I like shows like Forensic Files, NCIS, CSI, and various other crime shows. I have a strange interest in how crimes are solved using the different kinds of forensic science. And, of course, when writing a novel where forensic science comes in, I like to make things accurate and possible. To me that makes the novel all the better. If just interested in forensic science or writing a story / novel that forensic science is involved in, than this is one of the ultimate books to have.
January 16, 2019
Here readers will discover the challenges faced by crime scene professionals as the narrative focuses on the science behind forensic detection. Various sections concentrate on the crime scene, the victim, human identification, the suspect, analysis of evidence, lethal agents, and crimes without corpses. A variety of pictures, diagrams, and case studies highlight each section; a timeline of breakthroughs in forensic science and a glossary are also included. Readers who enjoy the science of crime scene investigations will find much to appreciate here.
Recommended.
Recommended.
September 22, 2009
Loads of gruesome photos! I particularly enjoyed the insect presence timeline relatin to human body decomposition. My husband was thouroughly disgusted because I was reading this while I ate lunch. An excellent writing reference for capturing details.
March 20, 2011
i read a few other reviews, not sure i agree with all the details... this didn't seem to give a ton of info. to me. Lots of pictures w/info. thrown in. It's a quick read and maybe a basic foundation but I would look into some other resources if you are trying to use this for writing.
June 6, 2009
illustrated and basic information
December 5, 2015
a realy goood beginers book on forensics
August 11, 2015
I absolutely loved this book, it's very informative and orderly, but also easy-to-read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews