Forensic Identification: Putting a Name and Face on Death

Murray, Elizabeth A.

ISBN 10: 0761366962 ISBN 13: 9780761366966

Publisher: Twenty First Century Books, 2012

Synopsis

About 4,000 unidentified deceased persons are discovered in the United States every year. But forensic experts are successful in identifying about 3,000 of those bodies within a year. In Forensic Identification: Putting a Name and Face on Death, forensic anthropologist Dr. Elizabeth A. Murray takes readers into the morgues and forensic labs where experts use advanced technology to determine the identities of dead bodies whose names are not known because the bodies are mutilated, decomposed beyond recognition, or cut into pieces. She also explores what happens to the bodies and remains that belong to people who have been missing for so long that law enforcement and forensic files are no longer active.

Through a wide range of fascinating scientific methods—including DNA testing, facial reconstruction, dental records, blood analysis, fingerprinting, and X-rays—forensic specialists work to piece together the stories that will give names back to the unknown dead and missing. Come along to watch the experts do their amazing work.

About this title

Review

"From watching CSI and Bones, kids know all about forensics, don't they? Well, sort of.... Murray's exposition will help fill the gaps left by a 60-minute format. Using a framework of 'case files' (printed in white on black pages), the author covers the obvious--skin, hair, scars, tattoos, fingerprints, and bones--and goes on to the presence of certain isotopes, soft tissue, and the favorite of all cop shows, DNA. The explanations are clear and to the point: this is how the unknown dead are identified, and these are the tools the scientists use in the identification process. Written by a board-certified forensic anthropologist, the book contains color photos (some quite graphic), diagrams, and X-rays. One minimal carp: some captions, printed in red on a black background, are difficult to read. Team this with Sally M. Walker's authoritative Their Skeletons Speak (Carolrhoda, 2012) and Lorraine Jean Hopping's engrossing Bone Detective (Watts, 2005) for a solid exploration of a currently hot science. Intriguing and informative." --School Library Journal

--Journal

"If one were to judge from the slate of current television shows, it would seem that there is no limit to this topic's popularity. In a straightforward, no-nonsense manner, this focuses on how forensic scientists are able to solve the mystery of human remains that are not easily identifiable. While the text is detailed, it is contained to four brief chapters. Meanwhile, plenty of illustrative photographs and diagrams lead readers through the minutely detailed techniques that forensic anthropologists, artists, odontologists, and pathologists use, often working with only skeletal remains, to uncover the identities of individuals. Each chapter opens with two real-life, attention-grabbing 'case studies, ' which set the scene before actually delving into the specific steps taken by specialists. The resolutions of the case files at the end of each chapter provide a satisfying wrap-up while demonstrating how the process explained in that chapter is used to solve the case. A smart and interactive introduction to the CSI field." --Booklist Online

--Website

About the Author

Dr. Elizabeth A. Murray is a native Cincinnatian from a large family. When she was young, Elizabeth always thought she may grow up to be a writer, teacher, scientist, or explorer--now that she is a college professor and forensic scientist, she is active in all of those fields! Elizabeth always loved science; it was her favorite subject in school. In college, she studied biology and discovered that she found humans to be the most interesting animals, so she continued her studies in the field of anthropology. Being a very practical person, Elizabeth wanted her research focus to have tangible results and benefits that could aid society, and this led her to the forensic application of anthropology. It took many years of college and lots of hard work to become a forensic scientist, but Elizabeth says that teaching is still the very best part of her job. She enjoys taking difficult concepts in science and explaining them in a way that is interesting and relevant to her students.

Edition details

• Publisher: Twenty First Century Books
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0761366962
• ISBN 13: 9780761366966
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 72