“Call[ing] to mind the forensic mysteries of Aaron Elkins and Patricia Cornwell” (Chicago Sun-Times), Beverly Connor’s spellbinding series proves that the dead do tell tales—and reveal secrets that can threaten the living in the most chilling of ways… In the depths of an unmapped cave, forensic anthropologist Diane Fallon makes an astonishing discovery: the decades-old skeleton of a caving victim. Soon, the remains of two more bodies are found—one in an old car submerged in the waters of an abandoned quarry, another buried in the Georgia woods. At first, with nothing to link the dissimilar victims except desiccated bones, Diane can’t fathom the connection. But someone in her shadow does. It’s the key to a mystery that reaches back seventy years in a heritage of love, greed, and murder—and an unearthed family secret that still holds the power to kill.
Teasing Secrets from the Dead is a front-lines story of crime scene investigation at some of the most infamous sites in recent history. In this absorbing, surprising, and undeniably compelling book, forensics expert Emily Craig tells her own story of a life spent teasing secrets from the dead. Emily Craig has been a witness to history, helping to seek justice for thousands of murder victims, both famous and unknown. It’s a personal story that you won’t soon forget. Emily first became intrigued by forensics work when, as a respected medical illustrator, she was called in by the local police to create a model of a murder victim’s face. Her fascination with that case led to a dramatic midlife career change: She would go back to school to become a forensic anthropologist—and one of the most respected and best-known “bone hunters” in the nation. As a student working with the FBI in Waco, Emily helped uncover definitive proof that many of the Branch Davidians had been shot to death before the fire, including their leader, David Koresh, whose bullet-pierced skull she reconstructed with her own hands. Upon graduation, Emily landed a prestigious full-time job as forensic anthropologist for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, a state with an alarmingly high murder rate and thousands of square miles of rural backcountry, where bodies are dumped and discovered on a regular basis. But even with her work there, Emily has been regularly called to investigations across the country, including the site of the terrorist attack on the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, where a mysterious body part—a dismembered leg—was found at the scene and did not match any of the known victims. Through careful scientific analysis, Emily was able to help identify the leg’s owner, a pivotal piece of evidence that helped convict Timothy McVeigh. In September 2001, Emily received a phone call summoning her to New York City, where she directed the night-shift triage at the World Trade Center’s body identification site, collaborating with forensics experts from all over the country to collect and identify the remains of September 11 victims. From the biggest news stories of our time to stranger-than-true local mysteries, these are unforgettable stories from the case files of Emily Craig’s remarkable career.
An exploration of the study of crime-scene blood spatter, featuring real-life examples and scientific analysis. Blood Secrets reveals how forensic experts read the story of a murder told in the traces of blood left behind, providing crucial evidence that has helped convict criminals who might have otherwise walked free. When Rod Englert began his career in law enforcement, virtually no police force in the world knew how to correctly examine blood spatter. He spent years studying and testing how blood behaves, pioneering a vital new tool that is now a part of any criminal investigation. In Blood Secrets he demonstrates how detectives and forensic experts use blood-spatter analysis to solve real cases. How can the police tell what type of murder weapon was used when the body is missing and all that’s left is a trace of gore? How can they tell if a victim was moved, or which person in a room fired the fatal shot? Englert lays out what he’s learned on a variety of intriguing cases, from puzzling murders in tiny, remote towns to the highest-profile celebrity trials—including O. J. Simpson, Robert Blake, and many others. Filled with fascinating details of forensic science and real-life CSI stories, Blood Secrets shows the techniques and tools used to decipher blood spatter’s code. Praise for Blood Secrets “A fascinating journey into the study of crimson drops. . . . Englert deftly balances real-life examples and detailed scientific analysis, giving readers a richer understanding of this developing avenue of forensic science.” —Publishers Weekly “Rod Englert is the ideal forensics professional. Blood Secrets shares many special insights and lessons learned from his long and storied law-enforcement career. The reader will appreciate his honesty and conviction as he weaves his way through the world of forensics and criminal investigation.” —Dayle Hinman, criminal profiler, host of Body of Evidence: from the case files of Dayle Hinman
Teenage forensic scientist Cameryn Mahoney has seen more gore than your average 17-year-old. But even Cammie is shocked when the most popular guy in school discovers the corpse of their English teacher murdered in his own bed.
What links all of these subjects? Identifying a robber from a single hair Collecting evidence from a crime scene Underground escape tunnels Simple-they're all Extreme! Fingerprint Wizards is packed full of fascinating details about how forensic scientists help to track down criminals---using fingerprints, traces of blood, and even footprints in the mud. Extreme is an action-packed series that brings together incredible tales and secret facts about the most radical things you really want to know---such as how to avoid a shark, survive a snowstorm, or spot the world's most poisonous snake! Discover the fascinating stories behind how things work and why they happen. Book jacket.
FBI-certified forensic artist Carrie Stuart Parks infuses her real-life expertise into her award-winning suspense novels. Evelyn McTavish’s world came crashing down with the suicide of her fiancé. As she struggles to put her life back together and make a living from her art, she receives a call that her dog is about to be destroyed at the pound. Except she doesn’t own a dog. The shelter is adamant that the microchip embedded in the canine with her name and address makes it hers. Evelyn recognizes the dog as one owned by archaeologist John Coyote because she was commissioned to draw the two of them. The simple solution is to return the dog to his owner—but she arrives only to discover John’s murdered body. As Evelyn herself becomes a target, she crosses paths with undercover FBI agent Sawyer Price. The more he gets to know her, the more personally invested he becomes in keeping her safe. Together, they’re desperate to find the links between so many disparate pieces. Stolen art. A New Mexico archaeological dig. An abandoned dog. And a secret that’s worth killing for. And the clock is ticking. Praise for Fragments of Fear: “A rollercoaster ride with a lovable protagonist and a suspenseful, twisty plot.” —Colleen Coble “Over the years, Carrie has mastered forensic art, fine art, and her own brand of offbeat humor. As a novelist she combines these skills with another: puzzle writing––scattering puzzle pieces all over her fictional universe and then dropping them into place in twists, surprises, revelations, and side-pocket whimsy until the big picture emerges, never too soon, always on the brink of disaster.” —Frank Peretti “I love Carrie Stuart Park's skill in writing characters with hysterical humor, unwitting courage, and page-turning mystery. I hope my readers won't abandon me completely when they learn about her!” —Terri Blackstock, USA TODAY bestselling author of the If I Run series “Carrie Stuart Parks has been a favorite author of mine since I read her first book. She's one of the few authors I'll give up sleep for! Without fail, she delivers stories that reel me in and keep me turning pages until I'm done and craving more. Fragments of Fear is sure to make you a Carrie Stuart Parks addict as well! #CSPaddictandproudofit” —Lynette Eason, bestselling, award-winning author
Each title in this series deals with one aspect of the forensic team's work, to show the complex and effective processes of modern criminal investigation. These include work on fingerprinting, evidence collection, blood-stain identification, ballistics, handwriting analysis, and much more.
Teasing Secrets from the Dead is a front-lines story of crime scene investigation at some of the most infamous sites in recent history. In this absorbing, surprising, and undeniably compelling book, forensics expert Emily Craig tells her own story of a life spent teasing secrets from the dead. Emily Craig has been a witness to history, helping to seek justice for thousands of murder victims, both famous and unknown. It’s a personal story that you won’t soon forget. Emily first became intrigued by forensics work when, as a respected medical illustrator, she was called in by the local police to create a model of a murder victim’s face. Her fascination with that case led to a dramatic midlife career change: She would go back to school to become a forensic anthropologist—and one of the most respected and best-known “bone hunters” in the nation. As a student working with the FBI in Waco, Emily helped uncover definitive proof that many of the Branch Davidians had been shot to death before the fire, including their leader, David Koresh, whose bullet-pierced skull she reconstructed with her own hands. Upon graduation, Emily landed a prestigious full-time job as forensic anthropologist for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, a state with an alarmingly high murder rate and thousands of square miles of rural backcountry, where bodies are dumped and discovered on a regular basis. But even with her work there, Emily has been regularly called to investigations across the country, including the site of the terrorist attack on the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, where a mysterious body part—a dismembered leg—was found at the scene and did not match any of the known victims. Through careful scientific analysis, Emily was able to help identify the leg’s owner, a pivotal piece of evidence that helped convict Timothy McVeigh. In September 2001, Emily received a phone call summoning her to New York City, where she directed the night-shift triage at the World Trade Center’s body identification site, collaborating with forensics experts from all over the country to collect and identify the remains of September 11 victims. From the biggest news stories of our time to stranger-than-true local mysteries, these are unforgettable stories from the case files of Emily Craig’s remarkable career.
One of America's leading forensic pathologists, Dr. Cyril Wecht, has been involved in some of the most sensational cases of our time. Now "Grave Secrets" takes readers on a personal tour behind the scenes of these notorious incidents--touching on cases as varied as O.J. Simpson, Vincent Foster and even the much-publicized "Alien Autopsy". Through shocking eyewitness testimony and crucial findings of facts, Wecht's expert opinions are sure to enlighten and fascinate true crime fans everywhere. Photo insert.
Why are programs such as CSI, Law & Order, and Cold Case so popular? Because our culture is fascinated with crime—and these television shows reveal investigators' procedures and secrets. With so many forensic-based television programs, it might seem that North America's morbid curiosity is a new phenomenon. The truth is, however, that humanity have always been fascinated by that which also frightens them. What's more, humans are attracted to puzzles—and forensic science offers opportunities to solve mysteries while at the same time "catching the bad guys." Modern media has only magnified the tendencies of previous generations. This book takes a look at the ways this fascination with crime shapes modern news media, television programming, movies, and the Internet. It also provides information on the real-life opportunities for forensic careers. Forensic science is more than just a cultural obsession—it's a fast-growing professional field. Forensics in American Culture will reveal this field's intriguing mixture of science, mystery, excitement, and justice.
