Jumped, Fell, or Pushed: How Forensics Solved 50 "Perfect" Murders

by Stephen A. Koehler, Peter Moore, David L. Owen

It takes more than a knife, a pair of gloves, and a fabricated motive to get away with murder today; and more than a pot of ink and a steady hand to forge a document. Thanks to advances in the science of forensics, many of the world's most dangerous, psychotic, violent, and cunning criminals can now be brought to justice. This case-packed book shows you how each unit of forensic science specialists works by highlighting 50 carefully selected crimes around the world and describing how scientific methods have been used to solve them. Included are sections such as: * Trace Elements: examining elements such as hairs, fibers, and paint traces * DNA Analysis: investigating the importance and mechanics of DNA inspection * Serology: examining blood and bodily fluids for clues * Toxicology and Drugs: identifying poisons and drugs to snare the non- confrontational killer * Criminal Markers: finding the suspect through marks at the scene * Document Identification: analyzing documents in fraud investigation * Electronic Forensics: investigating technological snaring methods REVIEW

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

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Название книги вводит в заблуждение. Кажется, что рассказ в ней должен идти о 50 преступлениях, которые обставленны так, чтоыб выглядеть несчастными случаями или же вовсе самоубийствами, но на самом деле в каждой истории идет упор на те или иные типы улик, которые помогли детективам / криминалистам доказать вину преступника.
Для человека, который много лет читал детективы и смотрел процедуалы, в этой книге будет мало каких-то открытий, но написано интересно, а "примеры из жизни" показывают, как развивались методы сбора и обработки всевозможных улик.
Книга довольно поверхностная, но это было ясно уже из объема.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

The science-y sections were suspect, with some truly bogus information, but the case studies were interesting. Find another book if you want an overview of the Forensic world.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Forensic Files, you'll enjoy this compact overview of the major subjects covered in Criminal Forensics. Each section has several "case studies" showing how that particular subject helped detectives and scientists to solve baffling cases.

I found only a few errors in the Hardcover version of this book: Page 32, One of Gouffe's work colleague revealed / One of Gouffe's work COLLEAGUES revealed ; 102, by London chemist, James Marsh / by A London chemist, James Marsh ; 109, on to a zinc plate / onto a zinc plate ; 124, with a bullet found in body / with a bullet found in THE body ; 149, and pick out the hiding place / and PICKED out the hiding place ; 149, His prints were the 46,253 set taken / His prints were the 46,253RD set taken .

[Amy P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple read on a fifth-sixth grader level. Written in a forensics textbook fashion. The title has absolutely nothing to do with any of this anecdotes relayed in this book. Although it explains different methods of forensic science and incorporates advancements in technology, it misses crucial details and elements. The murder stories are brief and lacking, because they relay only partial information from each case. Mirroring an unsolved case, it lacks evidence and closure.

[Dragonglimer Lisa Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this one a few months ago, it was a relative quick read. There was 1-2 pages of different cases that were solved. I read it in the car on trips or waiting.. if you’re a true crime buff this may be one you’d like. Both my daughters want to read it as well as the other 2.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but pretty basic and surface level. A lot of the highlighted cases were already known to me. Guess I watch too much true crime tv!!! 😁😆

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Sarai · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Reader's Digest book, so it's not long on detail. If you have not read anything forensic before and are not a follower of shows like CSI, there will be lots of new information presented here. If you have read other nonfiction forensic books or have watched shows like CSI where the terms and equipment are thrown about on a regular basis, there will be nothing new here.

Of the most interest to me were the brief page-long descriptions of actual crimes and how they solved them. However, some of those left me wanting more information.

Overall, not a bad read. If you're coming to the subject new, this is a good place to start.

[Richard Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another admirable book from Reader's Digest. The subject here being forensic science. There are eight chapters covering various aspects of forensics. Each chapter contains a brief discussion divided into subtopics for readability. Also included is a day's log of an expert in that field. Finally, there are case studies, fifty in all, of supposedly "perfect murders" subdivided into the crime, the case, the evidence, and the outcome. The book is copiously illustrated with drawings, charts/graphs, and photographs. The book is ideal for anyone interested in forensics.

[Hy-C · Rating 3 out of 5]

For someone who watches C.S.I,it contains nothing new. The methods of handling a crime scene,the evidence and other valuable things are put into details,which is good because on TV crime dramas you just see it you don't know what the evidence goes through to extract a valuable sample. Set in a textbook style which makes it easier to read. I was just bit dissapointed that the title didn't exactly matched the contents of the book. All in all it's very informative.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look into the various methods of forensics investigation used to solve crimes, along with case studies that illustrate these methods, some cases are well-known, other's are not. But I was intrigued by all of them.

The only downside was since there were so many case studies they weren't very detailed although they covered the basics and the forensics.

I'd recommend this book to people interesting in forensic investigation.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read I picked up off the bargain table at Barnes & Noble. Some interesting murder cases out there....

[Big H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information, set up in a textbook format. I was disappointed in a major historical mistake of one of the case histories based on the Romanov family, though.

[Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was okay, but not what I expected. it seemed written more for a 6th grader than an adult. the best part of it was the case studies.

[Uwe Windhoven · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't live up to the hype on the jacket. Written for a 12 year old.