Overview
A mysterious death. How did it happen? Was it an accident or homicide? Discover how medical examiners perform autopsies. Learn about the clues bodies leave behind and how medical examiners determine a cause for even the most puzzling deaths.Describes clues bodies leave behind about the cause of death, procedures for autopsies, and ways medical examiners form an opinion about how a death has occurred.
Synopsis
A mysterious death. How did it happen? Was it an accident or homicide? Discover how medical examiners perform autopsies. Learn about the clues bodies leave behind and how medical examiners determine a cause for even the most puzzling deaths.
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
Children's Literature
Capitalizing on the success of television programs like "CSI," colleges and universities have begun offering new courses in forensic science. This new title for younger readers is part of the same trend. After a general introduction to how various professionals use forensic techniques following a hypothetical murder case, individual chapters discuss the role of the medical examiner, the procedures for an autopsy, and the ways in which detectives use forensic evidence. The somewhat dry text does reinforce the fact that forensic science is not as glamorous as it is on television. Gruesome color photographs may be enough to turn some queasy readers' stomachs, although the staged photographs accompanying the opening story are more cheesy than creepy. Nevertheless, this is an adequate introduction to what may be a high-interest subject for many young readers. A brief glossary, bibliography, and FactHound "webography" are appended, as is a rather incomplete index. Part of the Edge Books "Forensic Crime" series. 2004, Capstone Press, Ages 9 to 12.—Norah Piehl
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