Women in Blue: 16 Brave Officers, Forensics Experts, Police Chiefs, and More

Featuring black-and-white photographs throughout, this addition to the Women of Action series traces the history of women in law enforcement. Moving chronologically from the 19th century to the present, Mullenbach assembles 16 biographies of women, including Frances Glessner Lee (1878–1962), whose interest in miniatures, science, and crime investigation led her to create dioramas of murder scenes that helped detectives hone their skills; and Isabella Goodwin (1865–1943), who spent 30 years with the New York City Police Department. In a more contemporary profile, Mullenbach draws from email interviews with Italian-born Cristina Pino, who pursued a career in forensics in the U.S. (and currently works in Torrance, Calif.). It’s an enlightening examination of a little-explored subject, offering both a historical resource and current insights into the profession. Ages 12–up. [em](May) [/em]