Silent Witnesses: The Often Gruesome but Always Fascinating History of Forensic Science

Former police officer turned crime novelist and BBC screenwriter McCrery (Tooth and Claw) delves into the bloody origins of modern forensic science, looking back at key figures and important historical cases to track the origins of major developments in criminology. He examines each major technique in turn, from fingerprinting and anthropometric measurements to blood typing, DNA analysis, ballistics, and trace evidence, placing each development in context with the cases where they were first used successfully and the people responsible for their discoveries and implementation. When McCrery describes the long-ago cases and their key figures, it’s in a straightforward, accessible manner. However, when he discusses on the more technical aspects of his subject matter, such as ballistics and the evolution of bullets or the way blood types interact, he tends to get bogged down. For those looking for insight into the early days of forensics, this is a fascinating and informative work, a great entry point. Of special note is the chapter on DNA testing, where the author plays a role in identifying the remains of the Romanovs, the former Russian royal family. (Sept.)