Today, there is more interest in forensic science than ever before. Crime and Circumstance weaves an intriguing tale of how an obscure corner of medicine dating back to ancient times matured into modern forensic science. The author explores the scientific and social threads that created forensic science and continue to drive its evolution in an entertaining narrative that introduces readers to intriguing cases and personalities across history, countries, and cultures and helps readers translate what they encounter in popular media into the reality of forensic science and laboratory investigation.Through historical and contemporary examples, Bell illustrates how cutting-edge research migrates to forensic laboratories, a transfer that is more indirect than people might expect. Although science and the judicial system both pursue truth, the interface between them is anything but seamless. This unique historical approach focuses on personalities from scientific law enforcement and emphasizes the myriad discoveries made over the years. Through these stories, the reader is introduced to the underlying science in an interesting, lively, and accessible way.

Offers a vivid and entertaining history of the evolution of forensic science and its use in the criminal justice system

IllustrationsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1. Sexy Science?Chapter 2. The Scene of the CatastropheChapter 3. Uniquely HumanChapter 4. Settlements and Civilization; Justice and DeathChapter 5: The Emerging Rules of the GameChapter 6: Science and Biology; Alchemy, and ChemistryChapter 7: One Elements StoryChapter 8: A Visit from GodChapter 9: Death Investigation and Forensic ToxicologyChapter 10: Forensic Chemistry: The Color of EvidenceChapter 11: The Eye of the BeholderChapter 12: Gunpowder and DuPont; Dyes and PolymersChapter 13: Microscopy and Trace EvidenceChapter 14: Patterns I: Firearms and ToolmarksChapter 15: Patterns II: Measuring and Mis-measuring ManChapter 16: Blood: Forensic Biology ArrivesChapter 17: DNA: The Genetic in Genetic MarkersChapter 18: Admissibility and the TrilogyChapter 19: Profession and PersonalitiesChapter 20: Professional ImmaturityChapter 21: Let us Return to the Scene of the CrimeNotesBibliographyIndex