The C.S.I. Effect

by Katherine Ramsland

How do investigators get from crime to conviction? For the astonishing answer, Ramsland covers the latest cutting-edge techniques in crime scene investigation. Inspired by episodes from the fact-based C.S.I. television franchise, she illustrates the use of computers and toxicology in forensics, explores interrogation strategies, and revisits history's most notorious crimes. And in considering the shows' locales - Las Vegas, New York, and Miami - Ramsland divulges ways in which crimes are dependent on location, climate, and population and discloses ways of solving them in the twenty-first century.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crime, True Crime

301 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

I've loved books since I was 3, and the library was a highlight of my childhood. I've been fortunate to be able to find great joy in what others have written and sometimes to give this to readers. I follow my own muse, because it leads me on interesting adventures. I began my writing career with "Prism of the Night: A Biography of Anne Rice." I had a bestseller with "The Vampire Companion." Since then, I've published 69 books and over 2,500 articles, reviews and short stories. I have also been an executive producer for "Murder House Flip" and "BTK: Confession of a Serial Killer." From ghosts to vampires to serial killers, I have taken on a variety of dark subjects, mostly in crime and forensics. I hold graduate degrees in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, criminal justice, creative writing and philosophy. Currently, I teach forensic psychology and criminal justice at DeSales University. My books include "I Scream Man," "How to Catch a Killer", "Confession of a Serial Killer", "The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds", "The Mind of a Murderer", "The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation", "Inside the Minds of Serial Killers", "Inside the Minds of Sexual Predators", and "Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers". My background in forensic studies positioned me to assist former FBI profiler John Douglas on his book, "The Cases that Haunt Us", and to co-write a book with former FBI profiler, Gregg McCrary, "The Unknown Darkness", as well as "Spree Killers" with Mark Safarik, "The Real Life of a Forensic Scientist" with Henry C. Lee, and "A Voice for the Dead" with James Starrs. I speak internationally about forensic psychology, forensic science, and serial murder, and has appeared on numerous documentaries, as well as such programs as The Today Show, 20/20, 48 Hours, NPR, Dr. Oz, Coast to Coast, Montel Williams, Larry King Live and E! True Hollywood. Currently, I'm working on a fiction series, The Nut Cracker Investigations, which features a female forensic psychologist who manages a PI agency. "I Scream Man" is the first one.

Reviews

[Koren · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are interested in this book because you are a fan of the TV show, I think you will be disapponted. There is actually very little about the show here. The author will mention a show by title, for instance the show titled "Ashes to "Ashes" deals with incident simulation using a computer, then it will go on to tell you more about how that forensic tool works. The basic premise of the book is that the TV show has generated more interest in forensics as a career, but aside from that there really isn't anything else about the show itself. If you have read other books about forensic science, I don't think there is a lot new here. On the other hand, if forensic science is new to you, this is an easily read and understood book. I just wouldn't pick it up thinking you are going to learn more about the TV show.

[Jeanine · Rating 3 out of 5]

People watch TV and get the idea everything is DNA and fingerprints. There's much more to making a case against a defendant. Interesting.

[Karin Betten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interessant. Veel informatie over onderzoek en technieken in het forensisch onderzoek. De methoden worden uitgelegd aan de hand van CSI afleveringen en echte zaken.

[Marie Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rated this in terms of info provided, amount of research that went into it, the clarity of info, etc. I did not rate this book on my enjoyment of it, as I was expecting it to be more like the show. In all fairness, it never claimed to be. This book is exactly what it says, it describes the CSI effect perfectly and gives examples and specific episodes referenced. I personally just skimmed the the pages and read each instance, I am fascinated by the depth of forensic science they have reached. It is an amazing field.

[Nelsond]

This book was pretty interesting. It shows readers the tools the C.S.I. uses to investigate crimes such as murders, robberies and so on. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the TV series Crime Scene Investigation. Or if you are interested in seeing how the C.S.I. catches criminals using the latest technology to find them and bring them down.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book. Some interesting info about real forensic technology. Got a little dry in places, but overall, quite interesting.

[Cheryel Hutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting info. I want to buy as a reference :)