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The Numbers Behind NUMB3RS: Solving Crime with Mathematics
The companion to the hit CBS crime series Numb3rs presents the fascinating way mathematics is used to fight real-life crime
Using the popular CBS prime-time TV crime series Numb3rs as a springboard, Keith Devlin (known to millions of NPR listeners as the Math Guy on NPR's Weekend Edition with Scott Simon ) and Gary Lorden (the principal math advisor to Numb3rs ) explain real-life mathematical techniques used by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to catch and convict criminals. From forensics to counterterrorism, the Riemann hypothesis to image enhancement, solving murders to beating casinos, Devlin and Lorden present compelling cases that illustrate how advanced mathematics can be used in state-of-the-art criminal investigations.
Using the popular CBS prime-time TV crime series Numb3rs as a springboard, Keith Devlin (known to millions of NPR listeners as the Math Guy on NPR's Weekend Edition with Scott Simon ) and Gary Lorden (the principal math advisor to Numb3rs ) explain real-life mathematical techniques used by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to catch and convict criminals. From forensics to counterterrorism, the Riemann hypothesis to image enhancement, solving murders to beating casinos, Devlin and Lorden present compelling cases that illustrate how advanced mathematics can be used in state-of-the-art criminal investigations.
244 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2007
76 people are currently reading
687 people want to read
About the author
Keith Devlin
85 books164 followersDr. Keith Devlin is a co-founder and Executive Director of the university's H-STAR institute, a Consulting Professor in the Department of Mathematics, a co-founder of the Stanford Media X research network, and a Senior Researcher at CSLI. He is a World Economic Forum Fellow and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His current research is focused on the use of different media to teach and communicate mathematics to diverse audiences. He also works on the design of information/reasoning systems for intelligence analysis. Other research interests include: theory of information, models of reasoning, applications of mathematical techniques in the study of communication, and mathematical cognition. He has written 26 books and over 80 published research articles. Recipient of the Pythagoras Prize, the Peano Prize, the Carl Sagan Award, and the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics Communications Award. He is "the Math Guy" on National Public Radio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
December 6, 2010
If you loved the hit TV show Numb3rs but ever wondered if it was really possible to use math like that then this is a must read.
This is Suprisingly readable book that anyone with a highschool understanding of mathmatics should be able to follow. I have an A.A. degree with a major in writing and I understood it.
The authors use real life examples of when math was used to crack open an investigation as well as elaborate on the techiques used in the Television show.
This is Suprisingly readable book that anyone with a highschool understanding of mathmatics should be able to follow. I have an A.A. degree with a major in writing and I understood it.
The authors use real life examples of when math was used to crack open an investigation as well as elaborate on the techiques used in the Television show.
October 22, 2023
2022 52 Book Challenge - 5) Chapters Have Titles
This was a pretty easy book to follow if you want to know more about the mathematics used in Numb3rs. I'm not fantastic at maths, but I found it easy enough to follow along and it was quite an interesting read, especially as they showed the mathematics being used in real crimes outside of the show.
This was a pretty easy book to follow if you want to know more about the mathematics used in Numb3rs. I'm not fantastic at maths, but I found it easy enough to follow along and it was quite an interesting read, especially as they showed the mathematics being used in real crimes outside of the show.
September 6, 2018
Enjoyable book by Stanford mathematics professor and NPR commentator, Keith Devlin, about mathematics and the then hit TV series Numb3rs. Although some of the math went right by me, Devlin is very good at explaining complex subject matter to the lay person. The discussions about prime numbers and encryption were especially interesting and I only wish there were updates to this book, which is 11 years old.
May 16, 2015
The contents of this book are ICT and fingerprinting , Bayesian estimation , it is in such as data mining,etc..........
They apply to the criminal investigations.
That is mathematically I criminal investigation. But their contents are old a little, so you may cannot feel them fresh.
They apply to the criminal investigations.
That is mathematically I criminal investigation. But their contents are old a little, so you may cannot feel them fresh.
December 11, 2018
I started this book years ago and never finished it, then picked it up yesterday for an “out of the normal” read and actually rather enjoyed it. It’s a fast, slightly-dated read with some skimmable sections where the mathematical explanations go a little over my I-barely-finished-college-algebra-head which focuses on the use of math in solving crimes and/or proving a position in court. I basically had no memory of the excerpts from the TV series which I watched 5+ years ago but still found the descriptions of mathematical techniques like changepoint detection, Bayesian inference, and game theory in relation to counterterrorism interesting. I particularly liked the descriptions of how image enhancement/reconstruction is done and of the probability of why “cold hits” in DNA or fingerprints banks may not actually be very likely suspects.
May 21, 2020
An interesting read especially if you’ve watch the show Numb3rs (which I highly recommend). Even if you haven’t the book is mostly about various interesting aspects of mathematics from factoring prime numbers to determining how terrorist groups are organized. All the math is pretty accessible and explained well so most people could understand it with some thought but doesn’t go much farther than that (they do provide some further reading in some cases)
January 29, 2010
The Numbers Behind NUMB3RS was a fascinating look at how mathematics is used in criminology every day and it's applications towards crime and criminal profiling is just amazing. It was enlightening to learn that several of the television shows episodes were based on real life criminal cases and situations.
The book was somewhat dry in its presentation of the material. If fact, it seemed almost textbook like in the approach. That being said, I found the subject matter and content of the book rich enough to overcome this shortfall. It did get technical in some points almost to the point of redundancy and required some mathematical ability to understand in other parts.
I enjoyed this book a lot but it is definitely not for everyone!
The book was somewhat dry in its presentation of the material. If fact, it seemed almost textbook like in the approach. That being said, I found the subject matter and content of the book rich enough to overcome this shortfall. It did get technical in some points almost to the point of redundancy and required some mathematical ability to understand in other parts.
I enjoyed this book a lot but it is definitely not for everyone!
July 19, 2014
Devlin has written a highly readble account of some of the most highly recondite mathematical systems and techniques underlying modern criminology. Striking the right balance between technical knowledge and general information sharing this book will appeal to the mathophile and to the general public, alike. Numbers Behind Mumb3rs provides an interesting and in some cases fascinating glimpse into the subterranean world of cryptology, data mining, neural networking, social network analysis, change point detecting, DNA & geographic profiling used by crimminologists, scientists and data analysts to crack seemingly unsolvable crimminal investigations.
October 19, 2009
This is a fascinating look at how math is used in crime-fighting. The authors do an excellent job of highlighting the multitude of ways that math is used through many aspects and instances in police work.
Don't let the title full you... this is not written specifically for a die-hard fan of the TV show, NUMB3ERS. I've seen a total of one episode of the show, but loved this book nevertheless. The appendix does contain a very brief synopsis of each episode of the first three seasons. For me, these are more of a teaser, tempting me to invest in the DVD collections.
Don't let the title full you... this is not written specifically for a die-hard fan of the TV show, NUMB3ERS. I've seen a total of one episode of the show, but loved this book nevertheless. The appendix does contain a very brief synopsis of each episode of the first three seasons. For me, these are more of a teaser, tempting me to invest in the DVD collections.
Read
October 17, 2009This book was fascinating. I can't say I understand all of the mathematical formulas but I do understand why the authors include them. The true life cases and fingerprinting analysis is interesting. They say that no 2 fingerprints are alike but this book says thats not the case. The poker chapter was interesting for those who are avid poker players.
March 2, 2009
It reveals the accuracy of the math used in the tv show "Numb3rs," as well as the inaccuracies in the portrayal of it upon occasion. Fascinating read for anyone who enjoys this television show, math or ideally, both.
July 20, 2008
I liked this book more then the actual show.
December 5, 2010
A nice little (sometimes semi-in-depth, sometimes elementary) look at some of the math techniques used on the crime show Numb3rs. 3.5 stars.
August 6, 2016
Talks about the math theories used in Numb3rs. Interesting, but not revealing.
July 3, 2024
"The Numbers Behind NUMB3RS: Solving Crime with Mathematics" is a captivating and enlightening book that delves into the fascinating intersection of mathematics and criminal investigation. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in how math can be used to solve real-world problems, particularly in the realm of crime-solving.
One of the most impressive aspects of the book is its accessibility. The authors, Keith Devlin and Gary Lorden, have done an excellent job of making complex mathematical concepts understandable to a general audience. As they explain, "Mathematics is not just about numbers; it's a way of thinking, a powerful tool for solving problems" (p. 12). This statement encapsulates the essence of the book and sets the tone for the engaging explanations that follow.
The authors skillfully illustrate how various mathematical techniques are applied in forensic science and criminal investigations. For example, they discuss the use of probability in determining the likelihood of different scenarios, highlighting that "probability can turn uncertainty into a quantifiable measure that helps investigators make informed decisions" (p. 58). This approach not only demystifies the mathematical processes but also showcases their practical applications in real-life cases.
Moreover, the book is rich with intriguing examples and case studies that bring the subject matter to life. One particularly compelling section explores geographic profiling, where the authors explain how "mathematical models can predict the most likely location of a serial offender's home base" (p. 142). Such insights demonstrate the real-world impact of mathematical analysis in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.
The writing style is engaging and often sprinkled with humor, making the book an enjoyable read. The authors' passion for both mathematics and criminology is evident throughout, as they eloquently convey their enthusiasm to the reader. As they note, "Every criminal case is a puzzle, and mathematics provides the pieces that help solve it" (p. 215).
In summary, "The Numbers Behind NUMB3RS" is an outstanding book that successfully bridges the gap between abstract mathematical theories and their practical applications in solving crimes. It is a testament to the power of mathematics as a tool for uncovering the truth and achieving justice. Highly recommended for anyone curious about the hidden numbers behind the stories of crime and investigation.
One of the most impressive aspects of the book is its accessibility. The authors, Keith Devlin and Gary Lorden, have done an excellent job of making complex mathematical concepts understandable to a general audience. As they explain, "Mathematics is not just about numbers; it's a way of thinking, a powerful tool for solving problems" (p. 12). This statement encapsulates the essence of the book and sets the tone for the engaging explanations that follow.
The authors skillfully illustrate how various mathematical techniques are applied in forensic science and criminal investigations. For example, they discuss the use of probability in determining the likelihood of different scenarios, highlighting that "probability can turn uncertainty into a quantifiable measure that helps investigators make informed decisions" (p. 58). This approach not only demystifies the mathematical processes but also showcases their practical applications in real-life cases.
Moreover, the book is rich with intriguing examples and case studies that bring the subject matter to life. One particularly compelling section explores geographic profiling, where the authors explain how "mathematical models can predict the most likely location of a serial offender's home base" (p. 142). Such insights demonstrate the real-world impact of mathematical analysis in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.
The writing style is engaging and often sprinkled with humor, making the book an enjoyable read. The authors' passion for both mathematics and criminology is evident throughout, as they eloquently convey their enthusiasm to the reader. As they note, "Every criminal case is a puzzle, and mathematics provides the pieces that help solve it" (p. 215).
In summary, "The Numbers Behind NUMB3RS" is an outstanding book that successfully bridges the gap between abstract mathematical theories and their practical applications in solving crimes. It is a testament to the power of mathematics as a tool for uncovering the truth and achieving justice. Highly recommended for anyone curious about the hidden numbers behind the stories of crime and investigation.
September 28, 2022
Ada yang masih ingat film seri Numb3rs? Ini salah satu film seri favorit saya, sayang sudah tidak tayang lagi. Dalam seri ini, tim penyelidik FBI cabang Los Angeles yang dipimpin Don Eppes bekerjasama dengan adiknya, Charlie Eppes matematikawan jenius dari CalSci, dalam menyelidiki dan memecahkan kasus-kasus kriminalitas.
Numb3rs ini menarik karena hampir nggak ada film seri sukses yang salah satu fokus beratnya adalah matematika. Belum lagi banyak obrolan fisika dan filsafat antara Charlie dan koleganya Larry Fleinhardt yang fisikawan teori.
Buku ini ditulis oleh Gary Lorden, matematikawan dari Cornell University yang menjadi konsultan matematika film seri Numb3rs, dan Keith Devlin, matematikawan Stanford yang banyak mempopulerkan matematika lewat buku, artikel, dan radio.
Dalam buku ini dijelaskan bagaimana matematika digunakan dalam penyelidikan kriminalitas, seperti dalam Numb3rs. Ya, matematika yang ditampilkan di film memang beneran, bukan ngarang (produsernya nggak main-main, makanya pakai konsultan ahli). Meskipun ya, dari segi rentang waktunya memang tidak realistis, karena aslinya penyelidikan (dan proses analisa yang mengiringinya) memakan waktu lama, tidak hanya satu-dua hari seperti di film.
Matematika seperti apa yang dibahas di buku ini? Bab pertama bercerita tentang rumus yang dipakai Charlie untuk mencari serial killer di episode pertama Numb3rs. Ternyata episode itu berdasarkan kisah nyata seorang polisi di Canada yang menciptakan rumus tadi: rumus geographic profiling untuk mencari pelaku berdasarkan data lokasi kejahatan yang dilakukannya.
Bab-bab lainnya membahas statistics, data mining, changepoint detection, image enhancement, bayesian inference, DNA profiling, security codes, fingerprints, networks, risk analysis, dan bagaimana proses dan aplikasinya dalam penyelidikan kejahatan. Juga diberikan contoh-contoh kasus nyata di mana hal-hal tersebut diterapkan. Misalnya bagaimana proses pencocokan sidik jari dan bagaimana penerapannya kadang menunjuk kepada orang yang tak bersalah. Bahkan pencocokan DNA pun masih mungkin menghasilkan kejadian seperti itu (karena yang dicocokkan hanya loci tertentu).
Tapi buku ini ditulis tahun 2007 ya, mungkin sekarang teknologi pencocokan sidik jari dan DNA sudah jauh lebih maju.
Pembahasan matematikanya lumayan teknis, jadi buat yang suka matematika, dan suka cerita detektif, buku ini (dan serial Numb3rs) cocok untuk anda!
-dydy-
Numb3rs ini menarik karena hampir nggak ada film seri sukses yang salah satu fokus beratnya adalah matematika. Belum lagi banyak obrolan fisika dan filsafat antara Charlie dan koleganya Larry Fleinhardt yang fisikawan teori.
Buku ini ditulis oleh Gary Lorden, matematikawan dari Cornell University yang menjadi konsultan matematika film seri Numb3rs, dan Keith Devlin, matematikawan Stanford yang banyak mempopulerkan matematika lewat buku, artikel, dan radio.
Dalam buku ini dijelaskan bagaimana matematika digunakan dalam penyelidikan kriminalitas, seperti dalam Numb3rs. Ya, matematika yang ditampilkan di film memang beneran, bukan ngarang (produsernya nggak main-main, makanya pakai konsultan ahli). Meskipun ya, dari segi rentang waktunya memang tidak realistis, karena aslinya penyelidikan (dan proses analisa yang mengiringinya) memakan waktu lama, tidak hanya satu-dua hari seperti di film.
Matematika seperti apa yang dibahas di buku ini? Bab pertama bercerita tentang rumus yang dipakai Charlie untuk mencari serial killer di episode pertama Numb3rs. Ternyata episode itu berdasarkan kisah nyata seorang polisi di Canada yang menciptakan rumus tadi: rumus geographic profiling untuk mencari pelaku berdasarkan data lokasi kejahatan yang dilakukannya.
Bab-bab lainnya membahas statistics, data mining, changepoint detection, image enhancement, bayesian inference, DNA profiling, security codes, fingerprints, networks, risk analysis, dan bagaimana proses dan aplikasinya dalam penyelidikan kejahatan. Juga diberikan contoh-contoh kasus nyata di mana hal-hal tersebut diterapkan. Misalnya bagaimana proses pencocokan sidik jari dan bagaimana penerapannya kadang menunjuk kepada orang yang tak bersalah. Bahkan pencocokan DNA pun masih mungkin menghasilkan kejadian seperti itu (karena yang dicocokkan hanya loci tertentu).
Tapi buku ini ditulis tahun 2007 ya, mungkin sekarang teknologi pencocokan sidik jari dan DNA sudah jauh lebih maju.
Pembahasan matematikanya lumayan teknis, jadi buat yang suka matematika, dan suka cerita detektif, buku ini (dan serial Numb3rs) cocok untuk anda!
-dydy-
August 16, 2025
I got this book as I'd watched the show and really liked it, so I was curious to see more of how the math used stacked up against reality.
This book was hard to rate as it was very chapter dependent. There were some I'd have easily rated 4 stars they were so great, but there were others that were definitely only 2 stars. The jargon in the latter was heavy and the explanations given clearly were not meant for those without a math degree, which is unfortunate as some of the other chapters were carefully written to be understood by all.
So, mixed, but enjoyable overall.
The bits I liked the most were the descriptions of where some of the techniques used on the show came from. That some came from real life cases not too dissimilar to those used in the show was fascinating and I loved learning more about those cases and how the math had actually come about. As well as how it had evolved to be used more in law enforcement now.
The discussion of various techniques used more generally in law enforcement was also nice - showing the how and why of it.
The bits that misfired were when the authors tried to go too much into the math itself without explaining it enough. Like there were cases where they were talking about how something was "clear" or "misleading" when the opposite were true. I think they're so firmly within the math mindset that they have lost track of how people who aren't trained in the field view certain things. That what they view as complicated is simple to many readers as we are unaware of some of the mathematical arguments of theorems we know nothing about.
Also, when a book other than a textbook starts listing equations... well, it's a good sign that you've likely gone too far from easy to understand for those without a math degree!
Beyond that, my only gripe is how the authors sometimes attribute an entire episode's successful resolution to Charlie. As if Don and his team just stood about with their fingers up their noses until provided a solution and told to go arrest the right people...
This book was hard to rate as it was very chapter dependent. There were some I'd have easily rated 4 stars they were so great, but there were others that were definitely only 2 stars. The jargon in the latter was heavy and the explanations given clearly were not meant for those without a math degree, which is unfortunate as some of the other chapters were carefully written to be understood by all.
So, mixed, but enjoyable overall.
The bits I liked the most were the descriptions of where some of the techniques used on the show came from. That some came from real life cases not too dissimilar to those used in the show was fascinating and I loved learning more about those cases and how the math had actually come about. As well as how it had evolved to be used more in law enforcement now.
The discussion of various techniques used more generally in law enforcement was also nice - showing the how and why of it.
The bits that misfired were when the authors tried to go too much into the math itself without explaining it enough. Like there were cases where they were talking about how something was "clear" or "misleading" when the opposite were true. I think they're so firmly within the math mindset that they have lost track of how people who aren't trained in the field view certain things. That what they view as complicated is simple to many readers as we are unaware of some of the mathematical arguments of theorems we know nothing about.
Also, when a book other than a textbook starts listing equations... well, it's a good sign that you've likely gone too far from easy to understand for those without a math degree!
Beyond that, my only gripe is how the authors sometimes attribute an entire episode's successful resolution to Charlie. As if Don and his team just stood about with their fingers up their noses until provided a solution and told to go arrest the right people...
April 6, 2024
This is a good read, approachable for both the layperson and the person who remembers some of their university math. It's fascinating to learn the real-life origins of some of what we saw on the show.
This is not a hardcore math book - the authors intentionally gloss over some of the nitty gritty, focusing on what the effect is of different mathematical steps or ideas, instead of on equations. There are a few equations in the book, but they are well-explained.
If you've not seen the show, that's entirely fine, because the relevant parts are explained. This is also useful if it's been several years since you've seen the show!
I wish I'd read this earlier, before the math moved on and some of it became so out of date. For example, the authors mention a 2001 study into data mining by the University of Wolverhampton and the West Midlands Police, England, which showed promise. Ultimately, they could not pursue it at the time due to the limits of computer power and personnel time. Over two decades later, computer power has significantly improved; I do wonder if the police force has re-visited this.
However, there is still much in this book that is relevant, so don't let that put you off.
Unfortunately, there are many miscarriages of justice in our legal systems around the world. Just to warn you, you'll learn about some of those whilst reading this book.
Overall a good read. Approachable for anyone, understandable, and focusing on the stories.
This is not a hardcore math book - the authors intentionally gloss over some of the nitty gritty, focusing on what the effect is of different mathematical steps or ideas, instead of on equations. There are a few equations in the book, but they are well-explained.
If you've not seen the show, that's entirely fine, because the relevant parts are explained. This is also useful if it's been several years since you've seen the show!
I wish I'd read this earlier, before the math moved on and some of it became so out of date. For example, the authors mention a 2001 study into data mining by the University of Wolverhampton and the West Midlands Police, England, which showed promise. Ultimately, they could not pursue it at the time due to the limits of computer power and personnel time. Over two decades later, computer power has significantly improved; I do wonder if the police force has re-visited this.
However, there is still much in this book that is relevant, so don't let that put you off.
Unfortunately, there are many miscarriages of justice in our legal systems around the world. Just to warn you, you'll learn about some of those whilst reading this book.
Overall a good read. Approachable for anyone, understandable, and focusing on the stories.
August 30, 2022
This is an excellent book. I wish I had read it sooner. It would have saved me much time and effort.
For you see, I too have been trying to solve crimes with mathematics. Unfortunately, I invariably chose the wrong mathematics to use.
For my missing-persons searches, I thought the Four Color Map theorem would come in handy.
It didn't.
For crimes in which anyone was potentially a suspect, I perused Kellogg's The Theory of the Potential. A lot of good that did me!
When I entered high-crime neighborhoods, I found myself becoming tensor and tensor, but to no avail.
Chaos theory was a little helpful, for crimes in the Red Light District. No shortage of strange attractors there!
But cohomology, transfinite arithmetic, the Banach-Tarski paradox, expansion in multipoles?
Fuhgeddaboutit!
For you see, I too have been trying to solve crimes with mathematics. Unfortunately, I invariably chose the wrong mathematics to use.
For my missing-persons searches, I thought the Four Color Map theorem would come in handy.
It didn't.
For crimes in which anyone was potentially a suspect, I perused Kellogg's The Theory of the Potential. A lot of good that did me!
When I entered high-crime neighborhoods, I found myself becoming tensor and tensor, but to no avail.
Chaos theory was a little helpful, for crimes in the Red Light District. No shortage of strange attractors there!
But cohomology, transfinite arithmetic, the Banach-Tarski paradox, expansion in multipoles?
Fuhgeddaboutit!
March 28, 2018
I started to read this book while rewatching the series Numb3rs. As someone with a mathematical background it is always interesting to see how wide the subject is and how widely used it is. The series itself provides a good view of this but doesn't provide a lot of depth when it comes to the math used. This book delves bit deeper, and covers a range of topics where math has something to say about the area of crime. Very interesting read, and written such that someone without a thorough understanding of Math can enjoy it too.
December 2, 2018
I enjoy Numb3rs and this book has light explanations of the math we see used in the show. You have to appreciate how fresh the show was when it first aired. it probably made many want to dig more into the math we watched. It's doesn't teach the math but the concepts. It also shows that a lot of TV magic happened with the show, but we prefer to be entertained that to deal with closer-to-reality issues such as the time to do the math, gather the data to do the math and the unlikelyhood that one person could be an expert in math across so many fields.
It is a good book to a TV series I enjoy.
It is a good book to a TV series I enjoy.
December 31, 2018
I am not a math person at all, but I love NUMB3RS. Overall, I think this book does a good job explaining the real math behind the show math to the regular population of non-math geniuses. There were some parts, especially those with equations that were still over my head, but there were other chapters I flew through because they were interesting. If you enjoy the show I do recommend this book as a little add on/companion piece.
August 5, 2019
Definitely an interesting read. Book is not as awesome as it's title suggest. I'll recommend to a math aficionado. The part where machine learning, neutral network ,etc are explained is nice but later on there are parts where author just casually/ lazily put things.
But it's still worth reading.
It'll probably be better to watch the "Numbers" series first.
But it's still worth reading.
It'll probably be better to watch the "Numbers" series first.
April 23, 2020
Sicuramente molto interessante, ma necessita di conoscenze matematiche molto superiori alle mie. Da fan di Numb3rs ho riconosciuto molte delle trame descritte nel libro, ma alcuni concetti li ho trovati difficili. Per specialisti e appassionati.
October 31, 2019
Nice backgrounder...
March 15, 2022
If you want to know the maths behind DNA sequencing, finger print processing this is the book
March 26, 2025
It is so interesting to know how maths helps solve crime, but it's nearly 20 years old, and I can't help but wonder what more we can do now with how much technology has advanced
March 31, 2014
Numb3rs mi piaceva abbastanza, per quanto l'apparente infallibilità del metodo matematico nella lotta al crimine (qualunque astrusa teoria Charlie utilizzasse funzionava e faceva catturare il colpevole) mi lasciasse perplessa: o gli agenti non sapevano fare un cavolo o il loro lavoro è, a prescindere, una mera raccolta dati.
Era comunque un telefilm parzialmente originale, e tutto sommato gradevole da guardare.
Questo libro è scritto da due matematici che sono stati consulenti della serie, cosa che è in parte un aiuto, e in parte una palla disumana. Penso si siano accordati con gli autori dello show per poterlo (o doverlo?) citare a più non posso: dopo un po' è non solo ridondante, ma pure noioso.
L'anedottica è interessante, le parti sulla matematica per me francamente incomprensibili. Anzi, se qualcosa questo libro mi ha fatto capire è proprio la mia abissale ignoranza matematica.
Questo, e il fatto che il lavoro del poliziotto o dell'agente dell'FBI (o altro corpo investigativo) è ancora fatica e scarpinare, perchè solo affiancando la tecnica di indagine classica e le vecchie care prove si arriva alla condanna dei colpevoli. Purtroppo non c'è DNA o data mining che tenga.
Conclusione: interessante, ma per appassionati.
Era comunque un telefilm parzialmente originale, e tutto sommato gradevole da guardare.
Questo libro è scritto da due matematici che sono stati consulenti della serie, cosa che è in parte un aiuto, e in parte una palla disumana. Penso si siano accordati con gli autori dello show per poterlo (o doverlo?) citare a più non posso: dopo un po' è non solo ridondante, ma pure noioso.
L'anedottica è interessante, le parti sulla matematica per me francamente incomprensibili. Anzi, se qualcosa questo libro mi ha fatto capire è proprio la mia abissale ignoranza matematica.
Questo, e il fatto che il lavoro del poliziotto o dell'agente dell'FBI (o altro corpo investigativo) è ancora fatica e scarpinare, perchè solo affiancando la tecnica di indagine classica e le vecchie care prove si arriva alla condanna dei colpevoli. Purtroppo non c'è DNA o data mining che tenga.
Conclusione: interessante, ma per appassionati.
April 24, 2013
I became addicted to the television series "Numb3rs" a few months ago. I watched every episode and was interested in learning more about the techniques Charley Epps uses to help is FBI brother solve crimes.
Although the technical aspects of the mathmatics are over my head I found the book's explanation of how these techniques are used on the show and in real life fascinating.
Some of these things apply to everyday life and I thought they would help with some of my research and writing.
If you are a fan of "Numb3rs" or crime solving this book will open your eyes to the astounding application of math.
Although the technical aspects of the mathmatics are over my head I found the book's explanation of how these techniques are used on the show and in real life fascinating.
Some of these things apply to everyday life and I thought they would help with some of my research and writing.
If you are a fan of "Numb3rs" or crime solving this book will open your eyes to the astounding application of math.
February 16, 2013
As someone who's a scientist but doesn't care much for math, I didn't expect I'd enjoy this book very much, but I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't just cover pure mathematical analysis of crimes, but math applied to other aspects of criminal justice. For example, it discusses the math behind fingerprint analysis, and does the most beautifully clear job I've ever seen of explaining the difference between "random match probability" and "database match probability" in the field of forensic DNA analysis. Those two chapters alone are a must-read for anyone interested in working in fields of criminal justice where those topics might come up.
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