Scene of the Crime: A Writer's Guide to Crime Scene Investigation

Howdunit Series

by Anne Wingate

Provides information on how evidence is measured, collected, identified, and analyzed, the timetable of activity at a crime scene, and technical terms and professional techniques used

Genres: Writing, Reference, Nonfiction, Research, Mystery, Crime

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1992

About the author

Aka Lee Martin, Martha G. Webb

Anne Wingate, born in 1943 as Martha Anne Guice, is a mystery writer currently living in Salt Lake City, Utah. Most of her mysteries are set somewhere within Texas. She is an adult convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and this sometimes shows in her works. She grew up in the Disciples of Christ Church.

Reviews

[Betsy Ashton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Others have already noted that this book, written about CSI techniques in 1992, is dated. It is. But, and this is a huge but, if you are writing a story that begins in the early '90s, this is the book that must be on your bookshelf. It will prevent you from making continuity mistakes. In 1992, no one rushed a blood smear to the crime lab and got the DNA results back in a day. Never happened. It's too easy to forget that what we take for granted today weren't around twenty years ago.

Writer beware.

[Sally Kilpatrick]

My kingdom for an updated version of this book!

I've been going through a few of the Writer's Digest books on how to write a mystery. The last one, whose title I can't even remember, was pretty damn dry. This one? Written by a writer for writer complete with anecdotes and suggestions for ways procedure could go amiss.

Unfortunately, it is now woefully out of date. DNA procedures, especially, have evolved. I think photography is different. A lot of this still probably works in a similar manner, though, so I may buy my own copy. (This one was checked out of the library)

Also, I found Wingate so charming, I will try to find some of her books.

[Adam Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little outdated I suspect in terms of forensics, it does tell a good few tips on how a writer can make their crime scene's more believable. With interesting case stories from the writer's own experience, it's an enjoyable read and I'm sure will be helpful in my own writing. This book is part of a series of books, on crime scenes, finding missing persons, trauma and injuries and the Modus Operandi of criminals; which are all worthy of a read by an aspiring or current author wanting to ensure their crime fiction rings true. It's certainly worth a read but I suspect some more specific study will be necessary depending upon the individual writer's needs. But, I did enjoy the book and am moving on to the Modus Operandi book also from the series. Therefore, I am obviously finding the series worthwhile and I am taking many notes as I go. I would recommend this to anyone starting out in crime fiction wanting to not look a fool by making rookie errors in their writing. Let's just hope I still don't make said rookie errors regardless of having read this informative little book.

[KR · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book isn't bad, but it is outdated, having been published in 1992. Nobody uses film cameras anymore. A large portion of the book is spent on fingerprinting. After years of CSI and Bones on TV, most of what's said in this book isn't going to be new or very informative. Not saying those shows are accurate, but this book won't give you more knowledge (or different knowledge) than those shows will.

[John Bolles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting little book

[Jeanie Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful information for a mystery writer!

[Davinia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't too thrilled with this book. The author's writing style grated on me a little, and I couldn't get past it enough to enjoy the information laid out. What's more, this book was written in 1991, and forensic science has improved in leaps and bounds since then. It's still a good and cheap reference book to have if you're writing crime scenes (especially set in the States) and you want to look something up quickly. But I would recommend you get something relevant to the laws of the setting of your story, and also something written a little more recently. I'd love to see an updated version of this in the Howdunit series, which would include more on forensic entomology and even cyber- and digital- forensics.

[Cat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although nearly 20 years out of date, this is a good intro to writing SOC/CSI descriptions. It's pretty clear that the CSI writers have referred to this book, or one that's very similar--there are a couple of true stories/examples that seem to have been 'massaged' into TV episodes.

Interesting. Would be nice if Writers Digest would update this book, and the others in the series this book is in, all of which cover writing crime novels.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every mystery writer should have a book like this one on their shelf. Not only does it give a lot of practical information about such things as fingerprinting and bagging evidence, but it provides some interesting true crime scenarios as well.

My one complaint, the book is a bit dated. I need to find something more updated, although this one will remain on my book shelf as a resource.

[Ally Cabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this book is seriously outdated, a lot of basic information is still relevant. It is a entry point for more research. In my current novel, I have a case from 1994 that is being reexamined so the types of testing available and procedures used back in the early 1990s is a big help for me.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great for anyone who's an aspiring writer like me writing scenes that deal with crime scenes and foresnics. (Apparently, I'm missing some books from the series like Body Trauma. If anyone has a copy, please let me know. They're out of stock and out of print at my bookstores.)

[Lonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very interesting nearly textbook style of crime investigation and how it relates to writing fiction. However, being written in 1992, this book is extremely outdated. With television shows like CSI it's obvious there are a lot more advanced techniques available now.

[Phillip · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't expect much from the books in this series. They aren't designed to give a writer the knowledge of something he or she does not already know about in order to work the information into a mystery.

[Jennifer Worrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less facts than anecdotes, but there are some great creepy stories in here that are sure to inform your writing and give you ideas for twisted murders. It gives you an inside look at what the job looks like.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book in this series that I have is absolutely incredible. I love them! So useful =)

[Regina Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awsome

[T.M. Carper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful for understanding how crimes scenes are investigated and the various procedures of the police. Easy to read and understand.

[Ashley F · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really, really helpful for research!!