Tools of the Trade: Forensic Science Gear and Gadgets
When forensic scientists arrive at a crime scene, they have a tough job ahead of them. The scene must be documented according to strict standards, and each piece of evidence recorded. The evidence of the crime might be large and noticeable, like a gun or marks in a door, but it could also be microscopic and near-impossible to detect. Luckily, the scientists come armed with a range of tools to help them identify and analyze even the tiniest fragment of evidence. After this analysis at the scene of the crime, samples are taken to the forensics laboratory, where even more powerful equipment can be used to decipher the clues.
Dr. Death, the Real Sherlock Holmes, and 8 Other Prolific Forensic Scientists
Forensic science is a hot topic these days, what with numerous television shows—from “Bones” on FOX to “Dexter” on Showtime to the various “CSI” spinoffs—glamorizing this oftentimes less than glamorous work. What many people don't realize is that forensic science has been around for a very long time, since before the days of Hollywood. Back in the 1800s and 1900s, scientists like Joseph Bell (the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes) and Edmond Locard (a fingerprinting guru) were pioneering the use of forensic science techniques. Read on to learn more about the top 10 most famous forensic scientists, many of whom are still alive and making waves in the scientific world at this very moment.
Our 10 Favorite Mystery Novels
On a daily basis, we all encounter a plethora of mundane mysteries: Who put the empty milk carton back in the fridge? Did the washing machine eat your missing sock? And who left the DVDs out of their cases? Of course, these mysteries are tame—not life-threatening adventures. Rarely do we civilians get to ferret out a murderer, or uncover the whereabouts of a missing piece of art. Thankfully, that's why we have mystery novels. Read on to learn more about 10 of our favorite mystery novels, both classic and modern. Can you figure out who the culprit is before the end of the book?
The CSI Effect: Big Surprise, TV is Dramatized.
Have you ever watched the popular television shows “Bones” or “Dexter”? Or how about one of the many “CSI” spinoffs? If your answer is yes, then you've been exposed to one of the newest trends to impact the forensic science field: the CSI Effect. The CSI Effect refers to the influence popular crime and forensic TV shows have on the public—especially jurors involved in criminal trials. On shows like “CSI” and “Law & Order”, the science looks very cut and dry: either the DNA matches or it doesn't, and the fingerprint always belongs to a possible suspect. In reality, science is not always so conclusive.