Forensics and Fiction: Clever, Intriguing, and Downright Odd Questions from Crime Writers

by D.P. Lyle

How long can someone survive in a cold, damp cave without food or water? How was diphtheria treated in 1886? Can Botox kill? Can DNA be found on a knife years later? How are mummified corpses identified? How long does it take blood to clot when spilled on a tile floor? What happens in death from electrocution?

As a consultant to many novelists around the world and to the writers of such popular TV shows as Monk, Law & Order, House, and Miami, D. P. Lyle, M.D., has answered many cool, clever, and oddball questions over the years. Forensics and Clever, Intriguing, and Downright Odd Questions from Crime Writers is a collection of the best of these questions. The answers are provided in a concise and entertaining fashion that will keep you wide awake so you can read "just one more."

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

320 pages, Hardcover

First published August 21, 2007

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Robert Chartrand · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be a really fascinating read. It is a collection of questions that a doctor has recieved over the years from people who are trying to write a novel. Questions range from the effects of posions and drugs on the body, to proper procedures at a crime scene and everything else in between. Many of the questions' authors are anonymous, but there were a few from authors that I recognized, which added a nice bit of flavor to the read.

There were times when the book became a little dry and rather slow, where it seemed that the only thing that kept me going was my complete interest in the subject. This causes me to recommend this book more for the avid fan of the topic rather than the curious passerby. All in all a great read for someone who wants to write a book with murder and the like in it, or for someone fascinated by forensics, but others might want to let this one slide by.

[Clued-in With A Book (Elvina Ulrich) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always appreciate a well-researched book since it always make the story believable, especially in a murder mystery novel. Authors may get their information from numerous resources and Dr. D. P. Lyle is one of them. Forensics and Fiction is a compilation of intriguing, peculiar and clever questions from crime writers, in which were answered by Dr. Lyle in an entertaining and concise way.

There are 5 categories in this book: - Traumatic Injuries, Illnesses, Doctors, and Hospitals; Poisons, Toxins, Medications, and Drugs; The Police, the Crime Scene, and the Crime Lab; The Coroner, the Body, and the Autopsy; Odds and Ends - Mostly Odds. Questions like: "How does "truth serum work? Was it possible to uncover laudanum in a corpse in 1941? What is the cause of death in a Crucifixion? All these were answered in an easy to understand way without being too sciency.

This book is replete with information and I definitely has learned so much from it! It took me about one month to finish reading it. This is one delightful read and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in forensics and more so for aspiring crime writers! It is one terrific resource!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

幾年前看了笫一冊，第二冊買了一陣子，今天輪班都這一本（還有笫三冊）
基本上：法醫研究，死亡，死者，死亡方式，殺人方式，藥物，兇嫌⋯⋯等等CSI ，你們不用看電視劇⋯看這就好⋯
暗網很多有的沒有的
看以下目錄就知⋯188類
本人剛看完，天下太多怪事⋯⋯
8/10
目錄
第一篇：外傷、疾病、醫師和醫院
PartI:TraumaticInjuries,Illnesses,Doctors,andHospitals（共有61道問題）
請問醫師
1流血致死的症狀與徵候為何？
2人在洞穴中沒有食物或水的情況下可以存活多久？
3一個孩子在緬因州海岸寒冷的海水中可以生存多久？
4環境溫度過高多長時間會導致懷孕婦女死亡？
5商業客機上一般如何救治心臟病？
6車禍被害者有可能失憶十天後，突然又恢復記憶嗎？
7頭部受創有可能造成對傷前所發生的事失憶嗎？
8一個男人在車禍重傷後，可以在沙漠存活多久？
9人被開槍射中何處可能會存活下來但半身殘廢？
10心臟中箭會發生什麼事？
11如何治療手部中槍的人？
12腦血管瘤破裂的症狀為何？
13上吊自殺會發生什麼事？
14噬肉菌（flesh-eatingbacteria）會如何侵害人體？
15眼盲有可能偽裝嗎？
16放血這種古老醫術是如何進行的？目的又是什麼？
17因車禍昏迷且從未恢復意識的患者可以活多久？
18鹽水算是好的抗菌劑嗎？
19亂倫所生下的孩子會有先天缺陷嗎？
20美國清教徒時期（PuritanTimes）的醫療環境如何？
21精神鑑定是怎麼進行的？
22什麼情況會讓人出現妄想？
23腦部受傷或心理打擊有可能造成暫時失語或失聰嗎？
24僵直症（Catatonia）患者可以進行什麼動作？
25長期被關在完全黑暗的房間裡的人會出現什麼精神狀況？
26什麼情況會造成一個正常人暴怒？
27梅毒在一九六○年代如何診斷與治療？
28居家懷孕檢測最早在何時問世？
29何種創傷或疾病會讓一個人不孕？
30心臟去顫器有可能致死嗎？
31一八八六年，美國中西部是如何治療白喉？
32給對花生過敏的人食用花生能否害他喪命？
33一八一六年的醫師做什麼事會讓自己被逐出醫界與社會？
34哪種創傷有可能在一年後復發並危及性命？
35一個人遭到毒打有可能產生肺栓塞（pulmonaryembolism）致死嗎？
36一八三三年已經在用「癌症」（Cancer）這個詞嗎？
37一八二六年的醫師會如何治療乳癌患者？
38什麼測試或檢查可用來區分體型矮小的成人與兒童的差別？
39一八○○年晚期，一名小女孩在美國西部邊境歷經壞疽與腿部截肢，她有可能倖存下來嗎？
40古埃及針對疼痛與受傷有什麼醫藥治療？
41將空氣注入靜脈中可致人於死嗎？
42人死後可以將屍體放血嗎？
43若把一個人的臉壓入沸水之中，會出現什麼後果？他會怎麼個死法？
44一九六○年代，可以用哪種藥物或手術讓連續強暴犯性無能？
45把叉子插進一個人的喉嚨會造成什麼傷害？
46用刀子殺害某人最「仁慈」的方式為何？
47保險套能不能用來急救被碎玻璃嚴重割傷者的性命？
48哪種傷害可使人暫時癱瘓，之後又恢復正常？
49假性懷孕（Hystericalpregnancy）患者的症狀為何？
50一八七○年，如何受治療心理疾病？
51一八九○年的美國仍存在著脊髓灰質炎（Polio）嗎？
52氣膠化病毒（aerosolizedvirus）多快能擊垮一個人？
53哪種槍傷或穿刺傷會讓女性被害者無法生育？
54一九八○年代的醫療技術，能否讓處於植物人狀態的懷孕女性順利生產？
55在荒野地區被熊咬傷該如何進行救治？
56過度激烈的脊椎按摩能否致人於死？
57一九○○年初期，有什麼得以控制出血的有效民俗療法？
58一八九○年代，毒血症（toxemia）是已認知的病症嗎？
59醫師為什麼要在接生前清洗雙手？
60一艘正在航行的船隻爆發天花疫情，船員的情緒會受到什麼影響？
61人若進入太空的真空狀態會發生什麼事？
第二篇：毒物、毒素、藥物和毒品
PartII:Poisons,Toxins,Medications,andDrugs（共有43道問）
62哪種藥物會讓人失憶？
63一杯酒有可能讓平時滴酒不沾的人受到傷害甚至死亡嗎？
64驗屍時，法醫能否判定被害者喝下的是哪種酒？
65注射抗凝血劑能否讓某人的刀傷失血狀況更嚴重？
66可以對被害者下毒一段時間，讓他出現中風症狀，最後死亡嗎？
67什麼藥物可使人麻痺，卻又保持完全清醒？
68連續服用多少劑量的阿斯匹靈幾天，就會出現明顯的副作用？
69使用哪種毒氣足以殺死一整個房間的人？
70瘋癲帽工症候群（Mad-HatterDisease）是什麼時候首度提出的？
71一瓶存放已久的氯仿（Chloroform）其強度是否足以使人失去知覺？
72喝下氯系漂白水企圖自殺會有什麼後果？
73把水管清潔劑注射到一個人的體內會發生什麼事？
74一九八○年代，對海洛因使用過量的治療方式為何？
75一個裝填海洛因的氣球在毒梟胃裡可以維持完整多久？
76死刑犯在接受致命藥物的注射後，還有可能救得活嗎？
77給人服用什麼藥物會導致憂鬱及自殺傾向？
78何種藥物能使看守囚犯的警衛失去意識？
79所謂的「吐實藥」（TruthSerum）是怎麼運作的？
80變更一名年長女性的藥物有沒有可能致死？
81一九六○年代，何種藥物會讓人出現如嚴重酒醉般的狀態？
82中世紀有什麼藥物可以讓人失去意識？
83酒精加贊安諾（Xanax）可以多快使人斃命？
84被響尾蛇咬傷的初始症狀，以及相關的長期問題為何？
85遭響尾蛇咬傷頸動脈是否會迅速致死？
86烏頭（aconite）是一種有效的毒藥嗎？法醫驗屍時能否找出死因？
87讓酗酒者吃下抗凍劑（Antifreeze）能否致死？
88什麼藥物可以讓人嚴重不適，但不致於喪命？
89讓重度過敏者使用過期或更換過的藥物有可能致死嗎？
90給住院的病患注射鉀（Potassium）可以快速使他斃命嗎？
91把氰化物加入用於隱形眼鏡的生理食鹽水中，可以做為殺人手段嗎？
92哪種化學物質可把香菸變得有毒？
93沼氣（SewerGas）如何致人於死？
94在按摩乳液中加入何種毒物能讓運動員斃命？
95兇手若用相思豆毒素（abrin）毒害某人，法醫可以找得出原因嗎？
96生產基因改造的毒玉米可以做為宗教恐怖組織的手段嗎？
97何種獸醫用藥可用來殺害我筆下的人物？
98肉毒桿菌（Botox）可以用來做為謀殺工具嗎？
99何種毒素可製成「冷凍子彈」（FrozenBullet）讓人猝死？
100兇手能否利用注射二氯甲烷（MethyleneChloride）來偽裝被害者是死於一氧化碳中毒？
101有毒的加州蠑螈（CaliforniaNewt）如何致人於死？
102若竊賊計畫侵入一處宅邸，他可以用什麼鎮定劑給看守的狗兒下藥？
103慢性硒（Selenium）中毒的症狀為何？
104墮胎用的草本艾菊（Tansy）有可能致人於死嗎？
第三篇：警察、犯罪現場和犯罪鑑識實驗室
PartIII:ThePolice,theCrimeScene,andtheCrimeLab（共有42道問題）
105警方何時可以移動犯罪現場的屍體？
106濺灑在磁磚地板上的血要多久才會凝固？
107屍體的腐化進程為何？屍體被丟進水裡為什麼會浮起？
108屍體或凶器若被丟入水中，一般來說證據可以保存多久？
109可以從被害者被截斷的指頭上採集到兇手的指紋嗎？
110可以從塑膠袋上採到指紋嗎？
111人死後傷口的血還會流多久？
112警方會怎麼檢驗失蹤者的汽車？
113警方有可能追查出非法製造藥物的共同來源嗎？
114若某處被發現埋有數具屍體，鑑識小組會如何搬移以及檢驗呢？
115儲存的血液可以用來偽裝謀殺案嗎？
116一九九○年代早期有DNA鑑定嗎？
117有可能在多年後在刀上發現血液和DNA嗎？
118粒線體DNA（MitochondrialDNA）可來以追蹤某人的血系嗎？
119毒物檢測可以測知被害者是長期吸毒者嗎？
120犯罪現場所找到的彈殼能否用來辨識槍枝？
121如何在犯罪現場的彈殼上動手腳，始其無法做為證據？
122法醫能否判定屍體上的瘀傷是在死前或死後造成的？
123一九三九年，精子可用於血型判定嗎？
124凍死在冷凍櫃中與凍死在偏僻山區，屍體有什麼差別？
125屍體在週期性結冰的沼澤中五年後會有什麼變化？
126已埋葬十二小時的屍體會不會產生氣味？
127埋在水泥下五個月的屍體將是什麼狀態？
128眼球轉動能否透露一個人是否說謊？
129什麼方法可使印在次頁的書寫痕跡現蹤？
130電子郵件中所使用的語言可用來判定寄件者的身分嗎？
131探員能否判斷犯罪現場的毛髮與纖維證物是故意設局的？
132驗屍官能否判定頭部中槍的被害者屍體是在死後一小時遭人移動？
133被棄置屋內好幾個月的屍體會乾屍化嗎？
134在屍體上找到的沙能否用來判定案發地點？
135如何檢測人體中的海洛因？
136遭到謀殺的被害者死後一年毛髮是否可檢測出汞？
137能否辨識出用以切割某種毯子的工具？
138出生與死亡証明及DNA鑑定可以用來證明父母身分嗎？
139一九八○年代，可能把子彈跟某特定武器進行比對嗎？
140警方或犯罪現場的鑑識人員能否看出被裁縫工具劃破動脈的死者是死於意外還是他殺？
141哪種藥物可以讓被刺傷的被害者流血更加嚴重？
142若某人死於創傷，兇手能否以心肺復甦術騙倒調查人員相信該人是因槍傷而死？
143兇手能否用麻醉藥來偽裝被害人是死於自殺，但其實是槍殺案件？
144一九四一年時可發現屍體中留有鴉片酊（laudanum）嗎？
145毒物檢測可以區分出安定文（Ativan）、Restoril、煩寧（Valium）嗎？
146在濺血的犯罪現場噴灑血液，能否混淆魯米諾（Luminol）對最初血跡型態的判斷？
第四篇：法醫、屍體和屍體解剖
PartIV:TheCoroner,theBody,andtheAutopsy（共有25道問題）
147哪種不甚明確的驗屍結果會讓一個菜鳥病理學家看出端倪，而經驗較豐富的前輩卻沒看出來？
148屍體被丟入河中多長時間，被害者遭性侵的證據才會消失？
149是否有從屍體體溫準確判斷死亡時間的公式？
150觸電死亡的驗屍結果為何？
151法醫如何判定什麼凶器造成某刺傷？
152法醫可分出古老骨骸和新鮮骨骸嗎？
153一具一百五十年的骨骸可判斷出性別嗎？
154如何辨識乾屍的身分？
155驗屍官有可能從四十年歷史的骨骸取得DNA嗎？這對於辨識被害者是否有幫助？
156雙胞胎的DNA圖譜相同嗎？
157運用DNA分析判定性侵需要多久時間？
158在被毆打致死的案件中，驗屍官如何判定是拳頭或棍棒所造成的？
159若一名懷孕的婦女遇害後被扔進湖中，胎兒會有什麼變化？
160在割腕死亡的案件中，法醫能否判定謀殺和自殺的不同？
161驗屍能否發現死者曾接受過大型顏面重建術？
162被扼死的案件能否偽裝成死者自高樓墜下身亡？
163驗屍官能否區分出遭受攻擊的瘀傷與跌落導致的瘀傷？
164屍體棄置在寒冷的山上兩個月後會變成怎樣？
165法醫能否根據被害者肺部的積水判定溺斃處？
166法醫能否判定被害者是溺斃於雞尾酒缸，而非湖泊？
167死者頭部遭重擊致死，能否用射擊傷口掩飾，讓整起案件看起來像是自殺？
168驗屍官能否判定上吊的死者是自殺還是他殺？
169能否從槍傷的穿入傷口看出兇手使用滅音器？
170若近期曾接受輸血，有可能干擾DNA分析嗎？
171法醫驗屍時能否看出死者過去曾接受過何種外科手術？
第五篇：雜項，多半是稀奇古怪的問題
PartV:OddsandEnds,MostlyOdds（共有17道問題）
172如果一個人被釘在十字架上，他的死因為何？
173人有可能躲進一具屍體中嗎？
174把人頭放進木箱中在北海漂流，浸泡水中多久仍得以辨識？
175瀉��要多久才能發揮藥效？
176一個人有可能死於想像出來的疾病嗎？
177「被打到橫隔膜痙攣（getthewindknockedoutofyou）」是什麼意思？
176僵屍會留下殺人證據嗎？
179法醫能否判定死者是被大蟒蛇殺害的？
180屍體在火星上會不會腐化？
181法醫能否判定被害者是死於狼人口中？
182某人在被「傳送（Teleported）」到另一個地點的同時，若正巧頭部中彈，他能存活下來嗎？
183什麼是穿刺癖（Picarist）？
184一個人有可能在日曬機上嚴重燒傷嗎？
185探員能辨認出嵌合體（Chimera）嗎？
186莎士比亞《泰特斯‧安特洛尼克斯》（TitusAndronicus）中的泰特斯如何把兩具屍體磨碎，細到可以做成肉派？
187林肯若是在今日中槍，他有可能活下來嗎？
188如果用絲巾偽裝吐出靈質（ectoplasm），會不會窒息而死？

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For every reader . . . or for every mystery/thriller writer . . . who has ever wondered how long someone might survive in a cave with no food or water or if there is a drug that could cause amnesia or how long a corpse might bleed after death or if a recent blood transfusion might confuse DNA analysis, this book is for you. In the pages of this book, readers will find the answers to these [and many more] questions that address basic medical and forensic questions.

Among the topics discussed are Traumatic Injuries, Illnesses, Death, and Hospitals; Poisons, Toxins, Medications, and Drugs; The Police, the Crime Scene, and the Crime Lab; The Coroner, the Body, and the Autopsy; and Odds and Ends – Mostly Odds.

Presented in a straightforward question-and-answer format, some answers are simple; others are complex while others are downright peculiar. But readers who find themselves wondering about the basic forensics as they apply to victims, crime scenes, and investigations are sure to find much to appreciate in this fascinating book.

Highly recommended.

[Infamous Sphere · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book - just a compilation of questions and answers from authors to D.P Lyle. For some reason I've never thought to write directly to an expert in regards to my fiction - I've just done my own research and that has worked quite well, but I've never tried to write crime. I realised partway through reading the book that it's from 2007 though, so in the interim 10 years some of the medical and forensic science mentioned in this book might have changed, as well as how confident authors feel researching something themselves rather than sending in their question to an expert directly. Obviously there's no point reading this book if you're not interested in forensics and crime fiction - it's not even a narrative.

[Brian Greiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intriguing and potentially useful book. Sometimes a writer needs a bit of information for their novel, and sometimes a lot of detail. This book falls very much into the former category. On the other hand, it will probably serve as a good introduction to further research for those that require more details. The questions, and answers, range from modern-day scenarios to historic situations, so there's a little something for everyone.

[T.R. Kerby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful answers to intriguing questions. This is a great reference for any writer or simply entertainment for the morbid. It is arranged in categories with an easy to use index so you can quickly find the subject you're looking for. A definite keeper that will go on my reference shelf.

[Shayla Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my crime writers and true crime lovers, you need this book. No excuses. It’s fascinating and creepy and gross and just plain amazing. You’ll love it.

[Hiu Ying]

二手$。T$380

[Helena Handbasket · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent information

Information presented clearly, with variables explored. Excellent resource for those that strive to be more accurate in their descriptions and rhetoric.

[Emily Edmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful and informative! Delightful because of the obvious admiration for and interest in his author's letters; informative because of all the science (most of which I promptly forgot.)

[Dane MacPhail · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are three books by this author, all covering similar subjects. They are very well organized and it's very obvious that the author takes an interest in the writer's questions, providing great feedback and even encouragement. Other than the fact that the three books tend to repeat some of the topics, I would definitely recommend these to any writer who wants to create credible mysteries and thrillers.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

D. P. Lyle has one of the most interesting jobs I have ever heard of. He is the authority on odd deaths, crime scenes and injuries for fiction writers. Imagine you are sitting down to write your novel. You plan to have your villain slowly poison someone over an extended period of time with something that will not show up on a tox screen. Or, maybe you want to know how a doctor could save somebody's life using a condom. These are questions that D. P. Lyle has answered, and has kindly compiled into a book for your reading pleasure. I loved reading this book. As a crime/mystery novel aficionado it was so cool to get a behind the scenes look at how some of the crazy scenes and plot lines get accurately constructed. Although it was pretty hard to read at times, overall this book was completely worth it.

[Lena Loneson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forensics and Fiction is a seriously cool book.

The book is set up as a series of questions from crime writers, with responses from Dr. Lyle: Can a chiropractic adjustment lead to death? How would a mummified corpse be identified? Could my character hide inside a corpse? What toxic gas could be used to kill a roomful of people?

If any of those questions intrigue you, pick up a copy. Though I haven't written a lot of mystery and don't really need this kind of research, it's fascinating to skim through anyway. It's also a great source of inspiration, if you need something particularly gruesome to kick off the start of your story.

[D.A. Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic resource for crime writers, or, it should be said, the criminal element. All sorts of easy to understand and fun explanations of how to kill off characters, how to conceal bodies, about decay and forensics of all sorts. Written in a chatty question and answer format, I can't recommend this book highly enough, whether you kill people in fiction or you just want to talk about it at family dinner parties.

[Gordon Gammell · Rating 2 out of 5]

The questions were intriguing, the answers were kind of interesting but surprisingly there was a lot of redundancy. If you are a medical geek you might enjoy it. If you are looking for off the wall Q & A the last chapter might be interesting for you otherwise I'm glad I got it from the library and didn't buy it. If you are an author and are killing off someone in your story and need some medical advice this might help.

[Mike Shultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't pass up this book because it combines the new course I'm going to be teaching this year at my high school (forensics) along with my interest in writing. The author's answers to the questions varied from fascinating to a little on the mundane side, partly due to the repetition. Definitely glad I read it, but hopefully not the best book I'll find on the subject.

[Alan Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must have book for crime/thriller writers! The book is straight to the point. The author, who is a doctor, fielded many questions from writers about what happens in real life, and he answers from a medical perspective. This book will help me write more realistic scenes. It's also a blast to read some of the twisted (fun) ideas authors come up with for their books.

[Sara Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow read, but chocked full of great info I might need someday as a writer. I hope to buy my own copy soon to have on hand. Just make sure you aren't faint of heart, he gives good descriptions as to what would happen in various situations!

[Sarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these books. It has helped me kill off a few characters in totally unique ways. I have also learned how to kill someone and make it look like an accident (highly useful but scary) some of the questions authors ask amuse me so I would highly suggest you not read while drinking!

[Lori Whitwam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using as a reference for my novel.

Three stars based on the degree of usefulness.

[Carrie Clevenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

All those crazy questions writers have, Dr. Lyle (patiently, I admit) answers many. His responses are well thought-out and useful. Highly recommended.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must for a crime writer in the modern age when forensics play such a key role in the mystery/crime/thriller genre. It's a keeper for my reference library.

[Stephanie Chu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fascinating and interesting. I learned a lot of about the human body and forensic. Highly recommended for everyone who are interested in learning about forensic and the human body.

[Rebecca Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was full of fascinating, if sometimes weird, information, and I enjoyed reading it.

[Marcia Martins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected more of this books. I was very disappointed .