The Bone Detectives: How Forensic Anthropologists Solve Crimes and Uncover Mysteries of the Dead

by Donna M. Jackson

Explores the world of forensic anthropology and its applications in solving crimes.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Anthropology, Crime, Childrens, True Crime, Mystery

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[emyrose8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5- Suuuper interesting, especially since I've been watching episodes of the tv show "Bones" lately. The book gives examples of past cases and how forensic anthropology was used to solve them. A bit wordy.

[Leah Hahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book kids learn the importance of careful observation and research. I think this book has some great illustrations and facts to match. It was a very interesting read and I would recommend it for young readers.

[Link · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thin and a little lacking in information as it leaves information open ended and incomplete but good

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The study of forensics is explained very well in the nonfiction book, The Bone Detectives: How Forensic Anthropologists Solve Crimes and Uncover Mysteries of the Dead (1996). Opposite the table of contents the following is a quote from Dr. Cylde Collins Snow, a forensic anthropologist which reads, “As those who study them have come to learn, bones make good witnesses—although they speak softly, they never lie and they never forget.” Upon reading this quote, the reader knows immediately that the information in this book is going to be compelling. The title positions the nature of the book’s content in such a way to give readers the impression that as they learn about forensic anthropologists, they will uncover information that will in a sense enable them to be “detectives” or “think like detectives.” The writer of this book does an excellent job in conveying the factual information that relates to the question, “What does a forensic anthropologist do?” by immediately capturing the attention of the reader with the suggestion that even bones have a story to tell.

Even though the topic of this book may seem gruesome, the book does explain how forensic anthropologists’ knowledge and expertise help solve crimes. It must also be noted that the information contained in this book covers other related topics such as the discovery of the bones of “Lucy”, Alp Iceman, and other types of forensic detectives, i.e., computer specialists and document examiners.

The Bone Detectives: How Forensic Anthropologists Solve Crimes and Uncover Mysteries of the Dead, with its well written, engaging stories about the interesting work of forensic detectives and captivating photographs, is appropriate for children age 9 and up. As an informational book, the book is well organized and headings such as “Forensic File” break up the content and capture the reader’s interest. Additional features include information about other types of forensic detectives, glossary of terms, and a diagram of a skeleton for reference or study.

As a juvenile nonfiction title, The Bone Detectives: How Forensic Anthropologists Solve Crimes and Uncover Mysteries of the Dead with its step-by-step account of how forensic anthropology helps solve crimes would fit nicely in the 363.25 (Detection of crime) section or in the 301 section, under anthropology.

[Stephen · Rating 1 out of 5]

In The Bone Detectives by Donna M. Jackson the author really tries to make people understand how difficult the job of a Bone Detective really is. Since I have read it I have had a deeper understanding of bones, biology and how one finds DNA. This book is written as more of a 3rd person book. It seems as if the author is interviewing and retelling the story's of the investigators or the bone detectives. This book is a non fiction. The book tells the reader different crime stories throughout the pages. It tells one about people gone missing or bones found in a park and really pulls the reader in. One of the stories is how they found a skull and some other bones and how they matched them and predicted what the women looked like and then later molded her with clay. Once they molded her they sent out posters and someone actually said that it looked like her old friend and it turned out she was.
I did like this story because I watch crime shows like "Criminal Minds" or "Law and Order" and in the shows viewers see them try to identify people but in the book it shows how people actually do it and in greater detail. I would not recommend this to a classmate because as mush as it is factual it is not the most interesting book there is. There are many different stories so one can't really get hooked on a specific story.

[Charlynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

With the popularity of crime shows on television, it is only natural for children to be curious about the sciences involved in the process of identifying dead bodies. Taking this into consideration, Jackson, an award winning journalist, penned a book about forensic anthropology for kids which follows Dr. Michael Charney, a forensic anthropologist, as he details how bones and teeth can be used to determine helpful clues used in a police investigation. Photos are included, though some illustrating the differentiating, identity defining bone features would be beneficial. Additionally, the material presented in the text is dated – published in 1996, and there have been many advances in the field since then, most notably perhaps being isotope isolation which is not even hinted at. Finally, the arrangement of the book is awkward as Jackson inserts 'Forensic Files' into the middle of her recounting of the work's main case example.

[Lisa the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for the Reading Passport program I started at the school library. This is my non-fiction choice in the Dewey 300's (Social Sciences)

Although I am not a scientific mind myself, I find crime investigation facinating, if it is presented in laymans understandability. This book fit that bill.

Talking about the science of Forensic Anthropology and how age, gender, race and other factors can be determined by studying skeletal remains.

Using one particular case study and other examples as well this gave a well rounded but not too detailed explaination of the science.

A great introduction to the science or a companion to shows like CSI or Cold Case Files

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This juvenile nonfiction book looks at forensic anthropology and related fields, and examines how they are used to solve crimes.

This was weird to me, because it's billed as a juvenile nonfiction book, has lots of pictures, big text and short sentences--but the whole subject matter is about murders and examining dead bodies! It just didn't seem to go together. I was a little disappointed with this book; it was quite disjointed and didn't really flow well. The pictures were nice, but the text had a lot to be desired.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're interested in real crime scene investigation or true crime or even mystery, this is a GREAT read, though if you have a tendancy to get queasy about dead bodies I wouldn't . . . It's non-fiction and she discusses past cases, plus a lot of interesting facts about how bodies decompose and how bone detectives can use this information to piece together a crime scene.

[Fiona Endsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written childrens book on forensic anthropologists and the work they do. I highly recommend it for any children who have the temperment not to be very upset by the subject of murders and the dead. My eight year old and my five year old both found it fascinating.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, the only children's book I have found that details what anthropologists do (or at least one of the things they do). Large book, great pictures.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although you can

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little disturbing, but great!

[Charlene McCormack · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book describes what forensic anthropologists do; using photos, x-rays and step by step facial reconstruction. Interesting and informitive.

[Dotty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes a real event of a skull found in the woods and shows how they learned the identity of the person and the murderer.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couple of stories here. I like the back best.