City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

Murderous methods, Using forensic science to solve lethal crimes, Mark Benecke ; translated by Karin Heusch

eng

Includes bibliographical references p. ([227]-233) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Murderous methods

bibliography

Mark Benecke ; translated by Karin Heusch

"How did a piece of wood lead investigators in the Lindbergh kidnapping case to Bruno Hauptmann? Who, besides O. J. Simpson, knows something about the death of his ex-wife? And just who was the "Vampire of Dusseldorf"? These are just some of the questions Mark Benecke explores in this compelling and surprising history of criminal investigative methods and techniques."

Using forensic science to solve lethal crimes

"Benecke, a leading forensic scientist who is frequently called upon to help solve crimes throughout the world, takes the reader through some of the most infamous and intriguing murder investigations in the United States, Germany, and Canada. In discussions of the cases against O. J. Simpson, and others, Benecke carefully explains the ways in which police and forensic scientists gather and analyze evidence. Going beyond the media frenzy that surrounded many of these investigations, Benecke considers how science, intuition, and an occasional lucky break can lead police to the guilty party. He describes the history of forensic technology as well as forensic scientists' tricks of the trade, including DNA fingerprinting, soil analysis, and the use of facial reconstruction and pollen analysis to learn more about unidentified corpses.""Benecke shows that even as scientific scrutiny helps investigators to understand more about crimes and the criminals who commit them, whenever humans are involved events may go in unpredictable directions. In particular, he looks at how unreliable eyewitness accounts and public fears and prejudices have led investigators down the wrong path."--BOOK JACKET

Foreword / Michael M. Baden -- 1. On my conscience -- 2. Traces -- 3. Witnesses, coincidences, and measurements -- 4. Fatal crimes, sometimes fatal punishments -- 5. Witnesses, publicity, and dead silence

Using forensic science to solve lethal crimes