Police Lab: How Forensic Science Tracks Down and Convicts Criminals

by David L. Owen, Antonio J. Méndez (Foreword by)

Is there such a thing as the perfect crime? In 1979, US Army captain, Jeffrey MacDonald claimed that three "hippies" broke into his house and attacked him and stabbed his wife and daughters. Despite the Army Captain's careful attempts to conceal evidence, forensic scientists were able to prove that MacDonald himself was guilty. Police Lab shows how forensic scientists gather and analyze evidence, examine weapons and bodies and use DNA testing and other techniques to help solve crime. Twenty real-life case studies show forensic scientists in action and demonstrate the fascinating secrets of police labs. Police Lab

Genres: Crime, Nonfiction, True Crime

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

David Owen is the author of Hidden Evidence and Hidden Secrets. He has written extensively on military deception, espionage, and written and produced television documentaries on computer crime and electronic intelligence.

Reviews

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

It may not be fair for me, as an older adult, to rate this book, as the publication information specifies that Police Lab was intended for a juvenile audience. Also, by the time I got around to it, the book was 20 years old. But I'll offer an opinion anyhow: This book somehow managed to give me both too much information and not enough at the same time. While watching true crime shows, I find it interesting to see how investigators use forensics to solve cases, and I thought this book might provide more insights and background. I can't say that it really did so. A lot of the material could be gleaned from watching a few episodes of "Forensic Files," etc. The section on fingerprints was interesting as were many of the case files. It's an easy read and is laid out well. If I'd been a young person interested in forensics in 2002, I likely would've rated this book a little (or a lot) higher, but as it is, I can give it no more than two stars.

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book did fully enravel me in the peculiar and grisly truth about crimes and murders, but also set me in the paths of how the science of forensics can observe and solve the crimes at hand, even case that as far I red date back to the late 1800's, also including the famous unsolved case of Jack the Ripper.

The cases I read of were gruesome and heart wrenching, of course I had no emotional attachment, but it was still horrific to imagine facing these crimes in real life. I can understand the stress that law enforcement must face when investigating these crimes.

The chapter of strangulation was tough to read about, particularly the parts of how it was a common method of suicide attempts.

April 24, 2012. That's how Dave went. I've never lost a friend in such a way before and it was not and never will be a pleasant experience.
I wish I could have known he was going through troubles, I wish I could have talked to him. As do the entire cheer leading team of which he was a part, and as his brother had said in the eulogy. "If only I could have sat down with you and just listened. Listen to all you had to say, everything that was on your mind. Just to Listen."

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

For those interested in how forensic science works, then POLICE LAB is a must-read.

Author David Owen presents a great beginning presentation into how forensic science works in regards to ballistics, DNA processing, fingerprint evidence, bite marks, tire imprints, and even handwriting analysis -- and how they can be used to figure out the person who has committed a crime. Using more than twenty true-life cases, from the death of INXS rocker Michal Hutchence to serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, Mr. Owen takes us inside the science that helped cracked the case.

Although there are other books that delve deeper into the actual workings of the science behind the science, this is a great starting point for teens interested in the forensic field. Be warned, though -- the book includes several full-color photographs of actual dead bodies, which might not be suitable for everyone. On the other hand, if you're planning on a career in the field of forensic science, you might do well to get used to such things now!

[Chloe Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really great. I chose it as my informative book. I have always loved crime television shows, reading about serial killers, etc. So when I saw this book in the YA Lit section at the library I grabbed it. It is really cool because it explains exactly how the police investigate and solve crimes. The book explains specific scientific tools they use to examine evidence and I thought that was really interesting. After every new scientific tool, they went over a crime that used that method to solve the murder. I was kind of creeped out by all the killers in the book, especially the female killers. They always seemed to be a little more demented then the men. Anyways, this book was really interesting and cool to read.

Language: none

Sex: there was some nudity in pictures from crime scenes.

Violence: A LOT. This book deals with murders and serial killers. The authors don't shy away from going into detail on the crimes.

[Astra Demertzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was overall a nice and really interesting reading. Though I straggled a little to get through it, I learned a lot of stuff about criminology, criminals, patterns, analyzing methods etc.

It was given to me as a birthday gift a couple of years ago when I settled down on wanting to become a coroner. So I guess this book helped a lot.

[Joey]

I wonder.....

[Dubiel Tavarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is good for people how what to know about crime's like 911,jeffrey macdonald and the ice pick and o.j. simpson and show fingerprint's

[Mandy Huot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The method of putting 1 or 2 case files in each chapter was awesome, and the information wasn't over bearing.