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

By Donna M. Jackson

Book Overview

It's said that "dead men tell no tales" -- yet their bones have some interesting stories to reveal. That's what police depend on when the only clues to a crime are the bones of the victim. Then it's time to call in the "bone detectives". Following forensic anthropologist Dr. Michael Charney step-by-step through an investigation, this book shows how a person's sex, race, age, height, and weight can be determined from studying his or her bones and teeth; how markings on bones can be "read" to establish cause of death; how a sculptor uses clay to reconstruct a face from a skull so it can be publicized in the media and possibly recognized; and how all of this information can be used to help crack a case. Curious young readers will revel in every eerie detail of award-winning journalist Donna Jackson's lively text and Charlie Fellenbaum's full-color photographs as they discover how these fascinating detectives help the stories behind the bones come to life.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316829358
• ISBN13: 9780316829359
• Release Date: April 1996
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.8" x 11.4"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

An interesting book

I read this book for a sixth grade nonfiction reading assignment. It explains how forensic anthropologists help police solve crimes by studying the bones of victims. It also describes how Dr. Michael Charney of the Forensic Science Laboratory at Colorado State University helped identify bones found at a Boy Scout camp in Missouri in 1988. I thought the book was very interesting. If you like shows like Law & Order and CSI or if you like to read mysteries, then you might like The Bone Detectives. Caelan (age 11)

A good place to start

I had the chance to work under Dr. Michael Charney for 5 years before his death. Dr. Charney focused heavily on education and teaching people. That is what this book does. When this book came out he gave me a hard time for buying a copy because it was a "kid's book". All of that aside, the book gives a basic introduction to forensic anthropology on a level that explains it to the reader. It covers the case from start to finish as well as touching on the other aspects of forensic investigation such as forensic entomology and facial reconstruction. So if you have a child that is wanting to learn more about the field or you are looking for a good place to start learning, this is the book to get.

Great for forensic science fans.

If you like anthropology or forensic science you will love this book. It tells of forensic anthropology, along with several other forensic techniques. It also explains about forensic archeology, and how past mysteries are being solved using forensics.

An exceptional book for exceptional children

The Bone Detectives is a compelling book for young readers. While the subject matter may seem out-of-the-ordinary and even macabre to many adults, pre-teens and teenagers seem facinated with the science and technology involved in solving murder cases. The book can also serve as a way to open a dialogue about the harsh realities bombarding our children from televison, film, and the evening news. If you know a bright child with an interest in science or police work, or if you just want to foster an interest,this book is a good start.