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Howdunit Forensics
enlarge	Author: D P Lyle Publisher: Writers Digest Books Category: Book List Price: ~~$19.99~~ Buy New: $4.50 as of 7/30/2010 15:38 CDT details You Save: $15.49 (77%) New (22) Used (10) from $4.50 Seller: BookHouse1 Rating: 8 reviews Media: Paperback Pages: 448 Number Of Items: 1 Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.8 Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 6.9 x 1.3 ISBN: 1582974748 Dewey Decimal Number: 363.25 EAN: 9781582974743 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days


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Editorial Reviews: Product Description Just because you don't have all the tools and training of a full-time medical examiner, doesn't mean you can't learn your way around a crime scene. In Forensics, award-winning author and TV show consultant D.P. Lyle, M.D., takes each area of forensics--from fingerprint analysis to crime scene reconstruction--and discusses its development, how the science works, how it helps in crime solving, and how you as a writer might use this technique in crafting your plot. This comprehensive reference guide includes: Real-life case files and the role forensic evidence played in solving the crimes A breakdown of the forensics system from its history and organization to standard evidence classification and collection methods Detailed information on what a dead body can reveal--including the cause, mechanism, and manner of death The actual steps taken to preserve a crime scene and the evidence that can be gathered there, such as bloodstains, documents, fingerprints, tire impressions, and more Forensics is the ultimate resource for learning how to accurately imbue your stories with authentic details of untimely demises.

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 8 1 2 Next » Great reference tool July 2, 2008 Darian Ray (United States) 8 out of 9 found this review helpful I've been writing and publishing mysteries for over ten years, and this is one of the best reference books I've come across. The index is clear and the book easy to manuver around - I read it cover to cover and now it sits by my computer for easy access. Love it! Excellent book; very informative. July 4, 2009 Patricia Gilliam (Knoxville, TN) 5 out of 5 found this review helpful I'm primarily a sci-fi writer, but I love incorporating elements of other genres into my stories to make them more believable and entertaining. If you are writing about any type of murder investigation or crime scene, you would benefit from this book. It's very concise and straightforward as a reference, but it's also interesting just to sit down and read. I highly recommend it. Getting the Details Right May 3, 2009 John H. Turney (CIncinnati, Ohio USA) 4 out of 4 found this review helpful Have you ever read a book, and you know a certain detail is wrong? It can bring the entire story to a quick stop. You may even feel the author has violated that covenant between writer and reader. DP Lyle has provided a wonderful assest to writers. His book helps a writer get it right. Those pesky forensics details that can bring a story up short are presented herein. No longer do writers have to worry about the process of preparing DNA or what blood splatter should look like from a certain distance. Even moreso, the book is fascinating to read. It provides just enough of the science for anyone to understand without going so deep a lay person gets lost. This book should be on the bookshelf of every mystery/thriller writer. And if you have a child who has an interest in science, this book can only increase their interest in science. Howdunit Forensics..... February 25, 2009 Deborah K. Dobbins (Indianapolis, IN) 3 out of 3 found this review helpful This book has greatly exceeded the expectations as a reference guide for my writing adventures. It is very detailed, organized and well thought out. It is very detailed and not for the faint of heart... so if in depth details about an autopsy or evidence collection is too much for you, you shouldn't read this. I also place this book beyond a wrtiers guide. Though this is not a "textbook" by any means, this is great for anyone interested in a possible career in forensics as this would be a good way to learn about some generalized topics. More Than I Expected March 30, 2009 Saluki (Orlando, FL USA) 3 out of 3 found this review helpful The Howdunit Forensics book covers everything from DNA testing, to forgery, to asphyxia, and it covers it thoroughly. For testing methods (i.e. paternity, DNA, etc.), the book will give you procedures, uses, how long they take, what kind of materials can be used to carry out the tests, the shortcomings of each test, and more. For murder situations such as asphyxia and gunshot wounds, "Forensics" covers different types of strangulation and goes into how investigators can tell them apart. It's very specific, very informative, but not so informative that the reference feels like a textbook. There were times when I looked up a couple of things on the internet to supplement the information in the book, but it's a reference book, and in that regard, it does its job extremely well. And it definitely makes research a lot easier. I really don't have anything to complain about with the book. Great for writers, easy to read/understand, just an all around good reference book. Showing reviews 1-5 of 8 1 2 Next »

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