Body In Question

The beginnings of a scientific approach to solving crimes can be traced back to ancient China, but forensic science as we know it today dates back only to the 19th century. Since then, investigators have learned how to interpret the evidence of fingerprints, traces of skin, blood, bone or chemicals, and even the unique markings on a single bullet. This fascinating and formidable science has brought to justice some of the most notorious and dangerous criminals of the past hundred years.

Drawing evidence from a wealth of murder cases from around the world, The Body in Question is an in-depth exploration of the field of forensic science, detailing the techniques, principles and technology employed in every stage of the investigation of a crime.

The first part of the book constitutes an introduction to the world of forensic science, looking at its history and outlining some of the most important breakthroughs made by forensic research scientists. This section includes clear explanations of the scientific basis of toxicology, ballistics, fingerprints and DNA identification, including a brief history of the development of these techniques and the cases in which they were first employed. The book then goes on to explore the procedures and techniques used by forensic science at every stage of an investigation, from the discovery of the body to the presentation of evidence in the courtroom. Sections deal with the identification of the body, the containment and analysis of the crime scene, identifying the time and cause of death, and eventually pinpointing the perpetrator of the crime itself.