Case Closed: The Real Scoop On Detective Work

by Milton Meltzer

Offers readers a look at the detailed process by which criminal cases are reviewed, dissected, and solved by police officers and private agents, examining the history, changing technologies, and current challenges of a fascinating line of work.

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Milton Meltzer wrote 110 books, five of which were nominated for the National Book Award. With Langston Hughes, he co-authored A Pictorial History of Black Americans, now in its sixth edition. He received the 2001 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his contribution to children's literature, the 1986 Jane Addams Peace Association Children's Book Award, and the 2000 Regina Medal. He died in New York City of esophageal cancer at age 94.

Reviews

[lprater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who? What? When? Where? How? Why? Those six questions are important to the work of detectives. Beginning with how the career detective developed out of need in a growing American society to specifics on how a detective conducts crime scene investigations, this book is full of interesting and insightful information on anyone interested in learning more about this line of work. The first section of the book highlights work such as interviewing a scared witness to white-collar crimes. Section two moves into lab work conducted for crime, such as DNA sampling, bullets and ballistic and gathering information from old bones of old cases. Part three includes stories of real detectives such as The Pinkertons as well as investigative reporters. Readers can learn about how detectives help solve mob crimes, how evidence is used in court and what happens when an innocent person is wrongly convicted of a crime. Photos of lab work, real detectives and criminals are also included. I would recommend this book for grades 5-8.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a lot of information about what a detective actually does. I just wish it was longer. That being said, I did take a lot of notes and I feel that this is an excellent source and a quick read.