Student References



Textbooks
Book
Author
Publisher
ISBN
Year
Criminalistics
Saferstein, Richard
Prentice Hall
0-13-592940-7
2001
Crime Scene
Ragle, Larry
Avon
0-380-77379-1
2002

 

Book Report Form

At the end of each unit’s assignment sheet, there is a suggested ‘good’ reading list. You may read any of those books during the semester for an additional 2% each added to your semester grade before the final exam is averaged.(BOOKS that were made into movies have an additional question. See ** below.) All reviews are due no later than the day before the start of the final crime scene at the end of the semester.

Your review is to be written and displayed on a half sheet of poster board.

SIDE ONE--You are a member of the promotion department of a large book company. You must publicize a new book that will soon be hitting the market. Be creative, informative and effective. After seeing your display, everyone would want to purchase and read this book.

OTHER SIDE--Word process the answers to the following:*

  • Summarize the story WITHOUT telling or giving away “Whodunit”.
  • Make a list of descriptions of the forensic techniques used in the book.
  • Who was your favorite character and why? Be specific.
  • What was your favorite part of the book and why? Be specific.
  • Give your reaction to the book. What did you like and dislike about the book? Would you really recommend reading it?

*This section should take no more than two typewritten pages. Use the two-way tape in the classroom or a glue stick to place these pages on the back of your poster board.

**For any books that are made into movies, you must read the book and then rent the movie version. Add an F to the question section and describe at least 5 differences between the book and the movie. No additional bonus points will be awarded, but without the comparison the book review will NOT be accepted.

 

 

Good Reading

Book Author Unit Description
Actual Innocence Scheck, Neufeld & Dwyer DNA Describes actual court cases in which DNA finger printing was used to free those wrongfully convicted
A Fly for the Prosecution Goff, M. Lee Biology Graphic case studies of insect evidence solving crimes
Blind Eye Stewart, James Toxicology True story of a doctor accused of poisoning his patients
Blood & Money Thompson, Thomas Toxicology The story of a doctor who poisons his wife
Blue Nowhere Deaver, Jeffery Documentation Novel about a hacker who plays a murderous game
Body Farm Cornwell, Patricia Biology Based on studies done on Bill Bass' body farm in Tennessee
Bone Collector Deaver, Jeffery Introduction Describes the FBI crime labs and techniques
Bone Lady Manheim, Mary Biology Gives a vivid picture of the life of a forensic anthropologist
Bones Ubelaker, Douglas Biology Day to day life of an archeologist helping in the police and forensic world
Body of Evidence Cornwell, Patricia Documentation Document analysis helps police crack a case against a serial killer
Coffin Dancer Deaver, Jeffrey Physical Property Sand and soil help to solve a tangled web of murders
Confessions of a Medical Examiner Baden, Michael Dr. Introduction Provides a look at the everyday activities of a medical examiner inducing actual cases
Dead Men do Tell Tales Maples, William Biology Describes how a forensic archeologist can determine many characteristics from the bones of people, including identification and cause of death
Deadly Decisions Reichs, Kathy Biology Third novel about the fictional forensic anthropologist, Dr. Temperance Brennan
Death Du Jour Reichs, Kathy Biology Second novel about the fictional forensic anthropologist, Dr. Temperance Brennan
Dead Reckoning Baden, Michael Introduciton Excellent book that gives a great overview of several branches of forensic science and the experts in those fields
Deja Dead Reichs, Kathy Biology Novel about the fictional forensic anthropologist, Dr. Temperance Brennan
Evidence Dismessed Lang & Vannatter DNA The OJ case as seen through the eyes of the investigators
Face of Deception Johansen, Iris Biology A forensic anthropologist helps to unravel the mysteries of a skull and ends up in a tangled web of murder
Hard Evidence Fisher, David Introduction A quadriplegic forensic investigator solves a series of murder using forensic clues
Mockery of Justice Cooper and Sheppard Serology True story of a son's fight to clear his father's name in the murder of his mother.
Moral Remains Schammel, Henry Biology Forensic anthropology and one of the most bizarre crime in the Massachusetts history
The Mormon Murders Neifeh & Smith Documentation True story of a man who went to elaborate lengths to forge important and historical documents
Post Mortum Cornwell, Patricia DNA DNA is used to solve a psychological thriller
Potter's Field Cornwell, Patricia Biology Rare dental work leads police to identify victim in Central Park
Silence of the Lambs Harris, Thomas Biology A rare insect leads investigators to a cannibal
Stalking Justice Mones, Paul DNA The true story of the detective who first used DNA testing to catch a serial killer
Takedown Shimomura, Tsutomu Documentation Details the capture of a notorious computer hacker by a computer security expert