The Forensic Science of C.S.I.

by Katherine Ramsland

Book Overview

The CBS television show, "C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation," has captured audiences - and ratings - with its unflinchingly realistic details of forensic science, tools, and technology. This fascinating new book - written by an acclaimed biographer with a master's degree in forensic psychology - goes behind the crime-solving techniques dramatized on the TV show to examine the reality of these cutting-edge procedures. From DNA typing and ballistics,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425183599
• ISBN13: 9780425183595
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.71 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.3" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Behind the scenes...the real forensic science info --fibers, hair etc

We loved this book-- on the back cover it asks about a half dozen questions like -- "how can a pair of glasses suggest murder rather than suicide?" and others-- and then goes on to explain how forensic scientists arrive at their final conclusions using all kinds of methods and analysis. The auhtor has a masters degree in forensic psychology and has published 15 books incuding biographies of such famous writers as anne Rice and Dean Koontz. She also spent a year as a research assistant to former FBI profiler John Douglas...and she writes forensic science articles for Court TV's Crime Library. Note that the book was not authorized, prepared, approved, licensed or endorsed by anyone in connection with the TV series CSI...The book is divided into 11 chapters and includes a good glossary, references section and index. Topics covered begin 1) Scene of Crime and end at 11 Evidence Response and in between include 2) handling bodies 3) ID unknown 4) Traces, 5) We have a Match 6) Science v Intuition 7) Elements of Reconstruction 8)Criminal Logic and 9) Varieties of Deception and 10 Forensic puzzles. I especially like the boldface sections of the book where the author adds some historical perspective ie how the coroner system evolved etc. She certainly demystifies lots of the science of forensics and explains what's fact-based behind some of CSI's most watched shows. Did you know that Iodine fumes are used to bring up latent fingerprints-- well after reading this book you'll know lots more about forensic science...and it's great cocktail chatter too....

this book is a 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this book tells you everything you need to know about forensics. It is the best science text i have ever read. from the scene to the autopsy table, it has it all. if you like the show CSI and the CSI books by Max Allen Collins, you'll love this! it gives you real life examples, lists , and explanations on every page. it also has an awesome glossary and reference. LOVE IT!!!!!!

forensic science of csi

this book is interestin and educational, especialy to kids who watch the show, csi or want to be a forensic scientist when they get older.

The Forensic Science of C.S.I.-great book!

Excellent book! I liked the ties to the show. It helped a lot because you could think back to the episode and remember what the gang did, or what the process looked liked. This book was well written. It was very descriptive, and it goes in to so much detail I think anyone, fan or not, can understand. It was small and light, which was helpful considering I couldn't put it down!

A fun read for fans of the show and armchair detectives

I wasn't looking for a manual of forensic science. I'm just a fan of CSI and true crime in general. This book supplied fascinating details about the equipment and procedures that are featured on the show, and even included real cases that many of the shows seem to depict.I highly recommend it to anyone who's as curious about the investigation process as I am.