Overview
A crime scene appears to be clean. But is it really? Learn about the equipment and chemicals CSIs use to find blood that is invisible to the naked eye. Next, discover how DNA analysis and other lab techniques bring even old cases to a close.Describes how blood analysis is used to solve crimes, including the tests performed by lab technicians on samples to determine blood type and other characteristics, and finding, saving and interpreting blood evidence.
Synopsis
A crime scene appears to be clean. But is it really? Learn about the equipment and chemicals CSIs use to find blood that is invisible to the naked eye. Next, discover how DNA analysis and other lab techniques bring even old cases to a close.
Rachelle Bilz - VOYA
This six-book series attempts to explain forensic science to young readers. Chock full of color photographs, these brief volumes offer an overview of their specific topics, and each contains a notebook-like page that highlights certain information such as "Time of Death" and "Types of Bloodstains." Both Blood Evidence and Cause of Death present solid, clearly stated facts about the people, circumstances, and hard science involved in criminal investigations. What is confusing is the series' intended audience. Simply written using large print, these books are given a reading level of grade four and an interest level of grades three through nine by the publisher. Cause of Death, however, contains photographs of a cadaver and an autopsy incision that could upset younger readers. Blood Evidence has photographs of a bloody knife and a bloody crime scene. A visit to one of the Internet sites for Cause of Death yielded a site with a warning about strong graphic images and descriptions. Color photos of a dead pig in various states of decomposition as well as a black-and-white photo of a decomposing human skull proved the caveat appropriate. The books in this series have good information for those interested in forensic science. Because of the graphic nature of the books' photographs and suggested Internet sites, these books are best suited for mature junior high and high school students despite their more juvenile appearance. (Forensic Crime Solvers). VOYA CODES: 3Q 2P J S (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2004, Capstone, 32p.;Glossary. Index. Photos. Biblio., PLB . Ages 12 to 18.
Editorials
VOYA
This six-book series attempts to explain forensic science to young readers. Chock full of color photographs, these brief volumes offer an overview of their specific topics, and each contains a notebook-like page that highlights certain information such as "Time of Death" and "Types of Bloodstains." Both Blood Evidence and Cause of Death present solid, clearly stated facts about the people, circumstances, and hard science involved in criminal investigations. What is confusing is the series' intended audience. Simply written using large print, these books are given a reading level of grade four and an interest level of grades three through nine by the publisher. Cause of Death, however, contains photographs of a cadaver and an autopsy incision that could upset younger readers. Blood Evidence has photographs of a bloody knife and a bloody crime scene. A visit to one of the Internet sites for Cause of Death yielded a site with a warning about strong graphic images and descriptions. Color photos of a dead pig in various states of decomposition as well as a black-and-white photo of a decomposing human skull proved the caveat appropriate. The books in this series have good information for those interested in forensic science. Because of the graphic nature of the books' photographs and suggested Internet sites, these books are best suited for mature junior high and high school students despite their more juvenile appearance. (Forensic Crime Solvers). VOYA CODES: 3Q 2P J S (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2004, Capstone, 32p.;Glossary. Index. Photos. Biblio., PLB . Ages 12 to 18.—Rachelle Bilz