Crime Lab Technician, Vol. 8

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

A serious crime has been committed and evidence of it has just come to light. Apparently someone has been murdered and there are two suspects. Just like a TV program or a movie, this story opens with a crime investigation in progress. Today's technology and the Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs) make getting rid of all traces of a person nearly impossible. These CSIs check for fingerprints, hairs, blood and fibers and can test weapons to determine if they were used in the killing. Unlike what some may have seen on television, these professionals make sure that they do not contaminate any other potential evidence by wearing overalls and covering their hair. They also make sure the samples of everything they pick up are placed in secure containers. For example, they can learn the sex, age, race and even how a person may have died. Some of these individuals are skilled enough to help reconstruct what a face may have looked like. Teeth can provide information as well as DNA. The case against the suspects slowly builds and a conviction is sought. There is a brief one-page glossary titled "Need-to-Know Words," a few websites to visit and an index. The story is plausible and the presentation of the information is clear and quite enlightening. A good choice for older students who are not reading on grade level as well as those who are. Part of the "Crabtree Contact" series. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot