Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation

Inquire and Investigate

by Carla Mooney, Samuel Carbaugh (Illustrations)

The fascinating world of forensic science is introduced to students in this interactive book that shows them how to find clues, analyze evidence, and crack the case. Combining hands-on investigation with history, science, and technology, kids will have fun learning about the world of forensics, collecting evidence, and performing their own crime lab analysis. The open-ended activities encourage students in the seventh through ninth grades to use their imaginations and skills to experiment, create, and solve problems, while entertaining illustrations and fascinating sidebars illuminate the topic and bring it to life. Educational "Words to Know" are highlighted and defined within the text to reinforce new vocabulary. Projects include documenting a crime scene, identifying fingerprints, analyzing blood splatter, and extracting DNA, and additional materials include a glossary, and a list of current reference works, websites, museums, and science centers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crime

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Carla Mooney is an award-winning author of numerous nonfiction STEAM books for kids and teens. She hopes to spark a healthy curiosity and love of nonfiction in youth.

Reviews

[Michelle M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you want to know how forensics scientist work? How they find evidence to catch the criminal? The book Forensics; Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene investigation by Carla Mooney informs you about everything you want to know about forensics. Overall this book is amazing. Every chapter has a different topic. For example blood evidence, bones and bodies, fakes and forgeries. The book contains a lot of information about the forensic world. It explains to you how the forensics scientist get evidence to track the victim. Tracking a victim takes a lot of hard work and time. The book will tell you how the scientist work with each other to get the criminal. Also something I like about this book is that if you want to create your own crime scene, they will tell you how to do it. I would recommend this book to all the people that are in love with forensic science and people who are thinking about a career in forensics.

[James Pickett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forensics was a pretty cool book. if you think it's interesting to learn how they solve crime then it would be a good book to read. The book is very similar to that TV show Forensic Files. It explains different types of evidence and what each type consists of.like physical evidence, biological evidence, and so for.

This book also focuses on what the first steps may be for a forensics team after first arriving on scene. It also describes what kind of experiments they do back at the lab. It can be firing a gun to see if the gun has similar characteristics to the one found. And more. All in all it's a knowledgeable book. the only thing I didn't like was it was kind of childish but you can still learn something from it.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forensics seems to be a popular topic when I'm helping kids find something to read in our libraries. I'd definitely buy this book for our collections!

It's very kid-friendly. Each chapter hooks the reader in with a short comic about the chapter. Headings, subheadings, and the "sidebars" (for lack of a better term) help guide the reading. The sidebars are chock full of info, such as Forensic Facts, historical background, definitions, key facts, and comics that illustrate the principle. Chapters are broken up with activities that readers can do at home or at school- these are titled under "Inquire and Investigate." They give lists of supplies which are easy to find around the home or would take just take a little effort and money to obtain. Who wouldn't want to try these fun activities out and pretend to be a CSI?!

Toward the back of the book, there is a glossary, list of Resources (museums, science centers, books, web sites), and an index.

Overall, a great book! I can't wait to read the others in the series- Genetics and Music.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the Inquire and Investigate series, Forensics introduces readers to the world of forensic science through a combination of facts and "hands-on" activities. Topics covered include a general overview of the world of forensics, fingerprints, blood evidence, bones and bodies, marks and prints (i.e. footprints), trace evidence, and fakes and forgeries. While the writing is a bit bland, it does a good job of explaining the concept at hand and giving students a firm understanding of the topic. The Inquire & Investigate sections provide a solid way for students to apply what they just learned and could serve as a nice basis for science fair projects. The book includes a chronology of the history of forensics, an extensive glossary, and a substantial list of resources books and websites, for further information. Overall, a solid title that ties in nicely with STEM units and for fans of shows like CSI.