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Forensics For Dummies (For Dummies

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Understand the real-life science behind crime scene investigation

Forensics For Dummies takes you inside the world of crime scene investigation to give you the low down on this exciting field. Written by a doctor and former Law & Order consultant, this guide will have you solving crimes along with your favorite TV shows in no time. From fingerprints and fibers to blood and ballistics, you'll walk through the processes that yield significant information from the smallest clues. You'll learn how Hollywood gets it wrong, and how real-world forensics experts work every day in fields as diverse as biology, psychology, anthropology, medicine, information technology, and more. If you're interested in a forensics career, you'll find out how to break in�and the education you'll need to do the type of forensics work that interests you the most. Written for the true forensics fan, this book doesn't shy away from the details; you'll learn what goes on at the morgue as you determine cause of death, and you'll climb into the mind of a killer as you learn how forensic psychologists narrow down the suspect list.

Crime shows are entertaining, but the reality is that most forensics cases aren't wrapped up in an hour. This book shows you how it's really done, and the amazing technology and brilliant people that do it every day.

Learn who does what, when they do it, and how it's done Discover the many fields involved in crime scene investigation Understand what really happens inside a forensics lab Examine famous forensics cases more intriguing than any TV show Forensic scientists work in a variety of environments and in many different capacities. If you think television makes it look interesting, just wait until you learn what it's really like! Forensics For Dummies takes you on a tour of the real-world science behind solving the case.

P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you�re probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Forensics For Dummies (9781119181651). The book you see here shouldn�t be considered a new or updated product. But if you�re in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We�re always writing about new topics!

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2004

129 people are currently reading
1469 people want to read

About the author

D.P. Lyle

34 books154 followers
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.



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5 stars
218 (38%)
4 stars
208 (36%)
3 stars
118 (20%)
2 stars
25 (4%)
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3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Rachel Bayles.
373 reviews116 followers
May 14, 2012
If you are contemplating a life of crime, there are about 836 scientific reasons in this book not to.
Profile Image for Vikki.
30 reviews
July 30, 2011
Really interseting read, delves deep into forensic science but not overly complicated language as some forensic books I have read. Highly recommended to people thinking of working in the forensic field.
Profile Image for Meg.
7 reviews
July 18, 2012
This is another great reference book for crime and thriller writers. Or even just a forensics aficionado who wants a greater understanding of the forensics on the crime and procedural shows that are so popular at the moment. It does a good job of giving you an overview of the science without being so technical that it's overwhelming or difficult to understand.
Profile Image for Jennifer Daniel.
1,255 reviews
October 3, 2009
Great to have on any writer's shelf as a quick easy to use reference. My only complaint is this series as a rule has limited photos. I am such a ghoul that I actually want a visual aid when blunt trauma investigation is being described.
Profile Image for Kristin.
124 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2008
This was good. At one time I wanted to be a Medical Examiner. Scary I know!
Profile Image for Claire.
645 reviews39 followers
February 14, 2018
Should be reprinted as "How Not to Get Away With Crime"
Profile Image for BabyLunLun.
912 reviews131 followers
April 7, 2025
Being a true crime junkie . Of course I will love this. I didn't know that I find Forensics so fascinating ( even though I am a total noob when it comes to biology ) But its truly a fascinating topic that combines all sciences into a wonderful subject in itself. I am not a fan of the sciences but I love reading about how they come together to crack a case.

What most interest me that warrant a further reading - Bloodstain Analysis , Criminal profiling . thats about it
Profile Image for Alan.
23 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2007
The forensics team have different types of specialists in different fields of forensics, there is a finger printing specialist, specialist that does autopsys, and many others. One of the main technique in the field of forensics is finger printing. Eac individual has his/her own unique finger print design, and everyoens finger pins are stored in a system known as AFIS, automated fingerprint identification system. This system can help analyze finger prints can track down the criminal in a matter of seconds. There are also ways to tell how a person wa skilled by looking at the location of the blood and its shape.
Profile Image for Karen Magill.
Author 3 books25 followers
June 28, 2012
I have to admit that this is not a book that I am going to read cover to cover - it is too technical for that. But, as a writer of paranormal mysteries, it is a must have reference book. There is so much information that I take a look through when I am in the planning stages of each book I write. As well, it is one that I can refer back to.
Profile Image for jess baker.
5 reviews
February 29, 2008
really is for dummies (i.e. sans academia diction). interesting - learning about forensics from a amateur point-of-view.
Profile Image for D..
Author 14 books91 followers
Read
October 2, 2009
Forensics For Dummies by Douglas P. Lyle (2004)
Profile Image for Emily.
24 reviews
August 7, 2010
A great overview of the basics of forensic science and many of its subspecialties. Recommended for any novice with curiousity about the secrets of forensic science.
Profile Image for Sam.
12 reviews3 followers
February 13, 2011
Very informative. I haven't given it a five as it's only written in American English and goes by American Law.
Profile Image for Carolee.
162 reviews6 followers
Read
July 28, 2011
Actually ... some articles instilled nausea (that says soooo much) - VERY good descriptions and relevant topics.
Profile Image for Anne Fox.
Author 25 books47 followers
April 6, 2022
For the lover of things forensic, the author of crime novels, or the screen writer of that next thriller in which a murder is committed, this is the book for you. Well-written, I'll put on my editor's cap and say that I found only one comma misplaced. The book is well-organized, and gives sufficient detail to each of the subject areas under the broad heading of "forensics" to keep the above-mentioned author or screenwriter from placing a foot squarely in their mouth—or in their book or movie.

It's also delightful in its presentation, with titles to areas that will make you grin, or perhaps cringe. Examples: "Chumming Around: The Shark Arm Murder," "A Shocking Situation: Electrocution," "Leaving Impressive Impressions: Shoes, Tires, and Tools." Such is not relegated to titles, but also extends into the body of the manuscript. Perhaps my favorite—so much so that I marked it in the book with a tab—is the following statement regarding mummification: "The process of mummification actually is similar to the process of making beef jerky. In both situations, moisture is removed, causing drying (mummification) of the body's tissues or the meat. Bon appétit!" Yes, you may call me macabre, but then when dealing with dirty deeds and the dead, being able to escape the less pleasant aspects of the work with a little humor should be forgiven.

This book will find its place on my shelf of most coveted reference materials for my own writing. As a lover of things forensic and someone who laments having not actually entered one of the forensic specialties, I found it (should I say this?) delightful.
251 reviews39 followers
November 18, 2021
4,5 звезди

Ставам все по-голям фен на книгите от поредицата "за начинаещи" (for Dummies).

Книжката беше доста приятна, до колкото една книга за убийства и престъпления може да бъде приятна.

Полето на криминалистиката и съдебната медицина избощо не ми е интересно, но все пак е добре човек (особено предвид това, че имам изпит по съдебна медицина) да има обща култура извън сериалите по телевизията.

Слушах аудиокнигата от Сторител на английски и си купих на хартия бг превода за да си го имам за спомен в библиотеката. Не мога да кажа колко е добър преводът, на няколко места когато лушах докато четох едновременно не беше лош.

Препоръчвам книгата, като въведение в съдебната медицина за студенти от медицинските университети.

Трябва да кажа, че не съм бил суууупер възможно най-концентриран докато слушах книгата, преди да напиша ревюто я преразгледах и видях на много места неща, които са ми заобиколили ушите. Мислех да напиша, че има доста общи приказки, но всъщност на второ (полу) четене бих казал, че си е доста подробна като за въвеждаща книга - все пак е към 400 стр.

Гласът на аудиото е на Chris Sorensen, който ми е познат (от Невронаука за НАЧИНАЕЩИ - която също е страхотна книга въведение за невронауките) и съм му свикнал, макар, че не бих казал, че е особено приятен. Например започнах да слушам Психология за НАЧИНАЕЩИ и английският глас там е по-добър.

нз друго какво да кажа. Очакваме резултат от изпита :)
Profile Image for Ann Cathey.
Author 8 books1 follower
July 31, 2017
Want to know a little something about how the investigative stuff on your favorite forensics show is supposed to work? This volume gives a nifty overview, and a definite point of reference for launching your own, deeper, research. Read the truth about what supposedly happens in a one hour program - but in reality takes days, weeks, even months, if it can be done at all.
Profile Image for Harbir.
108 reviews2 followers
June 11, 2018
Perfect for people new to forensics! I bought it as a refresher guide to forensics as I've been doing forensics for 6 years at school and university and now i specialise in a certain area i wanted to make sure i still knew the basic forensic principles for jobs and assessment centers.

It is a great read for those who want to know more about the forensic would and easy to follow for beginners.
Profile Image for David Liscio.
Author 3 books19 followers
December 5, 2016
As a crime writer, I'm always looking for specific details, especially if they involve police procedures and forensics. This seemingly basic book has provided me with plenty of information and led me in the right direction whenever I needed to find another reference source.
Profile Image for Adam Windsor.
Author 1 book5 followers
December 5, 2018
If you want an introduction to how forensics works, as-of-2005 (when this was released), then the book certainly seems to have you covered. It'd be a useful tool for someone wanting to write somewhat authentic fiction, for instance.
Profile Image for Neilie J.
284 reviews14 followers
January 10, 2019
Good, but kind of dry. I like the straightforward, plain-language approach, but having read other books on forensics before, it didn't teach me much. Probably the perfect book for someone just starting to learn about forensics.
Profile Image for L.B. Holding.
Author 2 books12 followers
January 26, 2022
This was just what I needed to figure out a good poison for my book. I took pages and pages of notes and borrowed this book at least three times in the last five months. If you write thriller or mystery, this one belongs on your shelf. At least three times.
Profile Image for Elizabeth  Petty.
32 reviews
June 13, 2024
I'm not a creep, I just like science. I feel like I need to specify why I bought this; science and curiosity. I like mystery books, I'm more interested in the psychology and biological parts of this, so I might actually get the psychology for dummies book. Fun read
Profile Image for Wesley.
332 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2020
Awesome intro - accessable to those who know absolutely nothing about forensics and had some really interesting material
Profile Image for tom.
66 reviews6 followers
February 22, 2025
i like the bits that haughtily go on about "what TV and the movies get wrong", as if most "real" forensics isn't also pseudoscience carried out for show.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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