Science Scope (NSTA Recommends) - Rebecca Bell

Fans of Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) will really enjoy this volume in the Why Science Matters series. Fighting Crime compiles techniques from biology, the arts, chemistry, and technology to explain how the knowledge, skills, and tools in these fields are used to shed light on crime scenes. Many teachers are already capitalizing on the popularity of these television shows as a motivating and engaging context for instruction; they will surely want copies of this book handy to support their labs and discussions. The book is structured around investigative techniques. What observations are made at crime scenes? How is evidence documented? What questions are raised as a result of the observations? What technology extends our senses when gathering evidence? Some techniques that are described will be familiar to forensic enthusiasts. Others will be new or provide added details or clarification. Descriptions of evidence-collection techniques include how to lay out a search pattern, use powders and glues, and make the invisible visible with chemicals such as luminal. The second chapter deals with ways to analyze evidence – hair and fibers, blood groups, spatter patterns, and DNA profiling. Each relevant science concept is highlighted in a sidebar. In the chapter on fire and explosives, for example, students learn the equations for combustion and explosion. Case studies illustrate a recent or well-known situation in which specific techniques and science concepts have been applied. For example, facial reconstruction techniques – using both computer modeling and sculpting – recreated the face of a Stone Age skeleton. Another chapter discusses methods used to uncover forged paintings, sculpture, photographs, and documents. Each book in the Why Science Matters series ends with a timeline that documents the historical development of the field. Students can see how many people in science, technology, medicine, art, history, and other fields contribute talent and knowledge to making sense of a crime scene. A glossary accompanies the text as lists of suggested further readings and related websites. Fighting Crime closes with a scene from the CSI series. Students are reminded that, in real life, it is impossible to obtain lab results instantaneously. Students are challenged to consider the question of requiring criminals, and perhaps eventually everyone, to contribute their DNA to a national database for ready identification. – Rebecca Bell <i> Science Scope (NSTA Recommends)</i> January 2011