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Forensics for Dummies Paperback – January 1, 2004

by D. P. Lyle (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 231 ratings
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Forensics For Dummies, 2nd Edition
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A plain-English primer on crime scene investigation that's a must for fans of CSI or Patricia Cornwell
Since the O. J. Simpson case, popular interest in forensic science has exploded: CBS's CSI has 16 to 26 million viewers every week, and Patricia Cornwell's novels featuring a medical examiner sleuth routinely top bestseller lists, to cite just a few examples. Now, everyone can get the lowdown on the science behind crime scene investigations. Using lots of fascinating case studies, forensics expert Dr. D. P. Lyle clues people in on everything from determining cause and time of death to fingerprints, fibers, blood, ballistics, forensic computing, and forensic psychology. With its clear, entertaining explanations of forensic procedures and techniques, this book will be an indispensable reference for mystery fans and true crime aficionados everywhere-and even includes advice for people interested in forensic science careers.
D. P. Lyle, MD (Laguna Hills, CA), is a practicing cardiologist who is also a forensics expert and mystery writer. He runs a Web site that answers writers' questions about forensics, dplylemd.com, and is the author of Murder and Mayhem: A Doctor Answers Medical and Forensic Questions for Writers, as well as several mystery novels. John Pless, MD, is Professor Emeritus of Pathology at Indiana University School of Medicine and former President of the National Association of Medical Examiners.
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  1. Print length
    356 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    For Dummies
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    7.5 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0764555804
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0764555800
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“…leaves you wondering how anyone ever manages to get away with any crime, let alone murder. Highly recommended...” (Fortean Times, March 2005)

“…fascinating reading…a must-have book…a superb introduction to a fascinating subject…” (Ripperologist, July 2004)

From the Back Cover

Features famous forensic case studies

"Dynamic, entertaining, and educational . . .blows the lid off the science of crime."
?Kathleen Antrim, author of Capital Offense

Fascinated by forensics? This plain-English guide introduces you to all the key players behind the investigations, revealing how they work crime scenes to identify the victim, criminal, and the circumstances surrounding the crime. You?ll follow the medical examiner and the forensic team in action, find out how they collect and evaluate evidence, and get a glimpse into the criminal mind.

Praise for Forensics For Dummies

"Dr. Doug Lyle has created the must-have guide to forensic science."
? Simon Wood, author of Accidents Waiting to Happen

"An informative, fun, and accessible compendium of facts for laymen and professionals alike. Highly recommended."
? Barbara Seranella, creator of the Munch Mancini crime novels

"This is the lay person?s indispensable guide to the fine art of criminal investigation."
? Taylor Smith, author of Liar?s Market and other novels of suspense

Discover how to:

  • Assess the scene of a crime
  • Analyze trace evidence
  • Determine how and when a victim died
  • Trace drugs and poisons in the body
  • Evaluate firearms evidence
  • Pursue a career in forensics

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ For Dummies; 1st edition (January 1, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 356 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0764555804
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0764555800
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 231 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Douglas P. Lyle

    Douglas P. Lyle

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    D. P. Lyle is the Amazon #1 Bestselling; Macavity and Benjamin Franklin Award winning; and Edgar(2), Agatha, Anthony, Shamus, Scribe, Silver Falchion, and USA Today Best Book(2) Award nominated author of 17 books, both non-fiction and fiction, including the Samantha Cody, Dub Walker, and Jake Longly thriller series and the Royal Pains media tie-in novels. His essay on Jules Verne’s THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND appears in THRILLERS: 100 MUST READS, his short story “Even Steven” in ITW’s anthology THRILLER 3: LOVE IS MURDER, and his short story “Bottom Line” in FOR THE SAKE OF THE GAME. He served as editor for and contributed the short story “Splash” to SCWA’s anthology IT’S ALL IN THE STORY.

    He is International Thriller Writer’s VP for Education, and runs CraftFest, Master CraftFest, and ITW’s Online Thriller School. Along with Jan Burke, he was co-host of Crime and Science Radio. He has worked with many novelists and with the writers of popular television shows such as Law & Order, CSI: Miami, Diagnosis Murder, Monk, Judging Amy, Peacemakers, Cold Case, House, Medium, Women’s Murder Club, 1-800-Missing, The Glades, and Pretty Little Liars.

    Website: http://www.dplylemd.com

    Blog: http://writersforensicsblog.wordpress.com

    Crime & Science Radio: http://www.dplylemd.com/crime--science-radio.html

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/DPLyleMD

    FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/dplylemd

    Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dp-lyle-md-5368a816/

    See more on the author's page
  2. D. P. Lyle

    D. P. Lyle

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    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
231 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amber
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the book
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024
Verified Purchase
As a fan of several tv shows, this book was very informative.
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C. ROUPAKIAS
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting and very educational
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2009
Verified Purchase
I feel very satisfied by this book.I purchased it-as well as most of those who will-because I am a fan of crime/detective fiction and of some television series like C.S.I. and Law and Order.I am a mechanical engineering student and I take a most scientific approach to things that catch my attention;so,if you are even remotely interested in forensic science and want to take a glimpse to the science and the processes behind the pursuit of criminals and the quest for justice,I believe this book will be a worthy investment,not only because it will provide you with almost all the information you may seek,but also because it will make you even more interested than you allready are in its subject-that is a very important and equally rare quality for an essentially scientific work.If you read this,you will have fun ,you will learn new things and by the end of your reading you will have found a new interest in science as well.Highly recommended.
2 people found this helpful
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Craig Hurley
4.0 out of 5 stars Simple and Easy to Read
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2013
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The things that CSI cover in their many shows present questions unto themselves. How do they get fingerprints? How is it they construct a crime scene? What is it that the forensic people Really do? This is an easy introduction into how these kinds of questions get answere. As a layman to the trade, only curiosity peaked my interest in the subject (it doesn't help my wife watches the heck out of the various shows). Pick this up if you want to have your curiosity tickled a little more than the show. This is not a CSI handbook, it is just good to use the analogy of what people see regularly on tv; and how it translates from real science vs. the fiction of hollywood. I give it four stars because I do not know how to compare apples to oranges in the subject matter, is it too simple or too complicated in comparison to other how-does-it-work books? It is a simple read, not too many pictures, lots of info, and a legend included for you to delve more into the subject should you want to know how things are analyzed.
2 people found this helpful
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Lorra Elcorn
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book for a beginner learner on forensics
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book came on time. It contains very interesting details and facts on anything upon forensics. Great book for a beginner. I had really not much background knowledge on forensics. After reading this well I don't think I have enough space to store all of this info. This book contains just about everything. Trace evidence, DNA, fingerprinting, guns and arson, documents, etc. It also contains notorious cases. If you want to learn anything about forensics, how they do it then buy this book.
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highlandlas
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this!
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is a book for writers. Dr. Lyle has put together a lot of information for people who write mysteries/thrillers but have no medical background. It's easy to find the information you need and you don't have to read the entire book or search page after page for it. It's written in plain English so all of us non-medical, non-law enforcement people can follow it easily. This is a must have for anyone who writes mysteries.
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David Liscio
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect resource for writers needing quick info about forensics
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2016
Verified Purchase
This book is a bit dated in terms of the technology currently in use, but it's well researched and written. The layout is sensible and it's perfect for writers who want to know more about forensics without having to take a course. Just about any time you open randomly to a page, chances are good you will learn something. It's well worth the money. Highly recommend it.
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Riley
3.0 out of 5 stars Basic
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2013
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It is a little basic but does clear up some issues with TV forensics. But definitely a good starting place.
One person found this helpful
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Nouhal suleiman
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
Lots of great information for those curious about this topic after watching all the crime shows (like me!).
would highly recommend
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Top reviews from other countries

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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on July 18, 2017
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Great book
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Resenhista
2.0 out of 5 stars Bastante desatualizado
Reviewed in Brazil on December 31, 2015
Verified Purchase
O livro é até interessante, no entanto ainda é bastante desatualizado. A parte da descrição dos exames de DNA não foi nada interessante. Ficou confusa e com alguns detalhes até questionáveis como o uso de restrição enzimática. Não é um livro ruim, no entanto é preciso um pouco de cuidado na leitura para não se acreditar em tudo o que está escrito, pois o autor não parece ser especialista em alguns assuntos e nem ter visto a fundo algumas técnicas antes de tentar explicá-las.

Isso ainda não torna o livro ruim. As informações continuam relevantes e ajuda a desmistificar muito do que os seriados de televisão geraram quanto às técnicas forenses.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable source of information on the crime-scene
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2009
Verified Purchase
As a beginning mystery-writer, this was the first book I bought, and I don't regret it one bit. Although some details are a bit gruesome (when does a body start decomposing under different variables), the book offers a lot of helpful home-truths or practical tips for my home-writing. Like: what evidence can be used to serve my case, and how; fingerprints, bloodstains (how they are dispersed, never thought bout that one before!), prints and tracks, the routine of identifying the body, blood, DNA, trace-evidence. In short: the layout for a police-file, which is a start of unravelling the case. The chapter in which ten famous forensic cases and ten ways Hollywood gets it wrong is discussed is truly enjoyable, but an addition of 'ten great forensic careers' didn't interest me. The book is like that. Some stuff you'll turn away from or leave through, while you pluck your case on info together. This book has helped me sofar and is still helping me (I haven't come to grips with all the info as yet, but then, it doesn't read like a novel. Tru this book I realized I was quite ignorant as a beginning mystery-writer, and I truly would advise this book to anyone who's either interested in crime-writing or in the mechanics of CSI on TV.
8 people found this helpful
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Jay Dunlop
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent Introduction to a fascinating subject.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2004
Verified Purchase
It may come under the '... for Dummies' series, but this is an excellent introduction to a fascinating subject, tho' not for the 'faint hearted'! If you're not keen on the gory details, then don't get this book. If, on the other hand, forensics and its kindred subjects fascinates and intrigues you, then this is for you!
The layout is good, and the subjects in each chapter are clearly explained. Whilst the format is naturally American based, as is the majority of the content, this is still a worthwhile addition to the library of any fan of CSI's, either in the UK or US.
If you are a crime writer, or want-to-be-a-crime-writer, then have this book by your side. Definately worth the money!
27 people found this helpful
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Sherman tank.
4.0 out of 5 stars Good interesting yet boring at the sametime
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 15, 2016
Verified Purchase
Bought this after seeing the Hatton Garden raiders read it. Thought I'd read it too in bed the wife thinks I'm planning on killing her and getting away with the crime. But I'd never do that to her who'd make me a sandwich? It's good a little boring and no real revelations of what you didn't guess or know already. The only new thing to me was glass is practically totally untraceable and it chemically 99% the same or something like that, to be honest I was struggling towards the end keeping interest. Got my copy as "used" so helped recycle a book I will pass it on to someone.
3 people found this helpful
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