Book Description

Discover the surprising answers in The Casebook of Forensic Detection, a true-crime treasury of 100 of the most fascinating cases of all time. More than two centuries in the development of modern forensic procedures come to vivid life as everything from handwriting analyses and voiceprints to ballistics, DNA testing, and psychological profiles reveal whodunit (and, in some startling cases, who didn't do it).

"Pithy, concise, and remarkably accurate." —Science Books & Films

"Contains ample material to hold the attention and foster interest in science." —Science Teacher ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Outstanding general history of forensics and reference book
This is the perfect starter book for anyone interested in forensics. It is organized by forensic discipline, then chronologically within each section. The author covers a number of famous cases, but has also included many more that are obscure, but equally fascinating. Each case is described ecomonically, but there is enough detail given to fully describe the case and the forensic techniques used to solve it. The writing is plain, precise, and jargon-free.

This book is also an excellent reference volume. The index and table of contents make it easy to find a specific case and I refer to this book often while reading other true crime or forensics book for names, dates, etc.

Anyone looking for a well-written, informative forensic science book need go no further than this book.

Easy to understand yet very interesting to the knowledgable.
This a great book if you don't know a lot about forensics. It really explains everything that you may not understand. Yet it is very interesting to read how forensic different crimes. I think that this book would be suitable for anybody interested in forensic no matter how much they know on subject.

Casebook for Forensic Science & Law
This is an ideal book for a student of forensic science or law, who may need help to find out various cases for their studies. It gives a guide to many different cases throughout the last century, with enough detail for the student to be able to do further research.

Each new section has a brief review of what the subject matter is eg Ballistics. Colin tells a little of what ballistics is about, including some history, then he writes a little about the subject of firearms and then what can happen when firearms are fired. Other subjects covered are Cause of Death, Disputed Documents, DNA Typing, Explosives and Fire, Fingerprinting, Forensic Anthropology, Odontology, Psychological Profiling, Identification of Remains, Serology, Time of Death, Toxicology, Trace Evidence and Voiceprints.

The appendix in the book is on Forensic Pioneers and Their Cases and here Colin lists 9 forensic scientists giving their year of birth and if dead, their year of death, also a brief outline of their career or some other pertinent detail, with a list of the significant cases which they worked on.

This book is well written and with enough detail to give those who are not involved in this field a very enjoyable read.

Good, but Slightly Disappointing
The book was somewhat well-written, and parts were certainly enjoyable, but there is nothing that you can find here that you cannot find in greater detail and with more useful information somewhere else. The case notes were frequently short enough that you would have no real interest in the case, and it read more like a How-To book for someone interested in writing a medico-legal thriller, as long as the person writing that just wanted a lot of really general information without actually knowing enough of what they are talking about. If you really want a good general interest forensics book, check out What The Corpse Revealed by Hugh Miller. In short, the book had a lot of information in it, but none of it was unavailable or more useful here than other sources.

I detect that much is lacking...
The "case studies" in this book read like a Jr. High essay - they lack substance and information and have nothing to keep the attention of the reader.

Each case is laid out in the same format - where the guilty are indicated immediately (often with negative adjectives describing them), it is stated that (fill in the blank) technology was used (without any real scientific explanation of the technology), and then it is stated that the guilty was caught due to the science (which was never described).

If all you want to know about forensic science is case names and dates, you might like this book. If you would actually like to learn about the processes used and how the technology works, you may be more than a little disappointed. ... Read more

Book Description

THE ULTIMATE READERS’ GUIDE TO THE ART OF FORENSICS!

An intrepid investigator crawls through miles of air conditioning ducts to capture the implicating fibers of a suspect’s wool jacket . . . A forensic entomologist discovers insects in the grill of a car and nails down a drug dealer’s precise geographical path . . . A gluttonous criminal’s fingerprints are lifted from a chocolate truffle. . . .

Filled with these and many other intriguing true stories, and packed with black and white illustrations and photographs, The Forensic Casebook draws on interviews with police personnel and forensic scientists—including animal examiners, botanists, zoologists, firearms specialists, and autoposists—to uncover the vast and detailed underworkings of criminal investigation. Encyclopedic in scope, this riveting, authoritative book leaves no aspect of forensic science untouched, covering such fascinating topics as:

• Securing a crime scene
• Identifying blood splatter patterns
• Collecting fingerprints—and feet, lip, and ear prints
• Interpreting the stages of a body’s decay
• Examining hair and fiber evidence
• Trace evidence from firearms and explosives
• “Lifting” DNA prints
• Computer crime and forensic photography
• Career paths in criminal science

Lucidly written and spiked with real crime stories, The Forensic Casebook exposes the nitty gritty that other books only touch upon. Here is a reference book as addictive as a page-turning novel of suspense. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Brilliant
This book has everything a die-hard forensic fan would love, from the crime scene to apprehension of the killers. Fully illustrated. It also compares what really happens to what people think happens. Thorough and engaging.

authoritative but easy to read
The Forensic Casebook is dense with information on everything relating to forensics - from securing the crime scene, to photography, to the acutal forensics. The material is authoritative, but easy to read and understand with plenty of diagrams to further clarify. Highly recommended for those interested in the field.

CSI Forensics 101
Of all the Forensics books I've struggled through in the past compared to this one--this was one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a long time. The most interesting facet of this book is it uses anecdotes from the CSI shows to illustrate the point that is being described in the book. There is just enought detail to give you the basics, without overwhelming you with technical jargo.
If you are a mystery writer, this book should be on your resources bookshelf for quick lookups to check and validate your facts. It could also be a great source book for murder plot ideas.

Fascinating!
This book was presented in a way that was easy to understand and was written in a very logical manner. If you, like myself, have little knowledge on how forensics are used in police work, then I think that this would be an excellent book for you. You get a basic overview filled with useful information and terrific case studies. It may be a little too 'elementary' for people who already have some knowledge of forensics, but, for me it was a very intriguing read.

Tremendous All around introduction to Forensic Science Field
I recently decided to begin pursuing and researching a career in Forensic Science. This book, more than any I came across, gave a very clear introduction to vast variety of fields of forensics, from Crime Scene Investigation, pathology, anthropology (and others) as well as the process and procedure of a crime investigation from first arrival on scene, to collection of evidence, to processing the evidence all the way through to presenting evidence and expert testimony in court.

There is enough case studies to enlighten and entertain, enough science to intrique, and enough details to interest. This is a tremendous introductory and honest book for anyone interested in pursuing a career in Forensics. ... Read more

Book Description

There is growing interest world wide in the field of mind-body medicine and the effect which the natural "energy forces" within the body play in the maintenance of normal health and wellbeing. This in turn has led to interest in how these energies or forces may be channelled to assist in healing and restoration to health. This book, written by a well known scientist with a degree in biophysics and a PhD in biology, brings together for the first time evidence from a wide range of disciplines which is beginning to provide an acceptable explanation for the energetic exchanges that take place in all therapies. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A Solid Scientific Text
This book is a solid cornerstone of the bridge linking rigorous scientific theory and intuitive, energy healing techniques. I disagree with Paul Budnik's review stating that the Placebo Effect is not addressed in the book. True, it is only mentioned explicitly on page 17 (in as far as I've read so far...) but great lengths are taken to explain how a person's thought processes, including their beliefs about themselves, have a very real physical manifestation in the form of electrical pulses which generate magnetic fields which are detected by and affect the entire body.

Energy therapy such as polarity, Reiki, and acupuncture have been shown to work at the same frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum as pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy. PEMF has been used by Western medicine for some time to aid in the healing of bone which is not healing on its own. (See Bassett C A L 1995 Bioelectromagnetics in the service of medicine. In: Blank M (ed) Electromagnetic fields: biological interactions and mechanisms. Advances in Chemistry Series 250. American Chemical Society, Washington DC, pp 261-275)

All in all, a fascinating and thorough exploration of an important, emerging field. A must for anyone involved in or curious about bodywork, energy work, or any form of medicine.

Exceptional compilation of research
I received this book from Amazon a few days ago and am halfway through it. I'm so impressed by Oschman's compilation of research - it's provided me with countless answers I've been seeking all my life. I am a degreed mechanical engineer, and am currently getting an advanced degree in Oriental Medicine. I've also been practicing Reiki and other energy healing modalities for several years, having been drawn into these alternative healing fields because of my natural ability for sensing subtle energies ever since I was little. Until I started reading Oschman's book I never had a scientific explanation for this energy or why it was so helpful in healing others. I've always known that these energies are real but I definitely appreciate a scientific explanation for any type of energy phenomenon - it makes it much easier to explain to others who haven't had similar experiences why and how they happen. I meet a lot of people who are interested in energy healing and some who are quite skeptical of its validity. Thanks to this book, I now have a clear way of explaining what I and countless others have known all along - that energy medicine really does work. If you're simply curious about why energy medicine works, or you're a practitioner yourself and have wanted a scientific way of explaining its validity to your friends and clients, you'll definitely appreciate this book (even with the $40 price tag). Keep in mind, however, that this book will not teach you how to practice any of these energy medicine techniques - it will simply give you a very clear and easy way to explain why they work.

The communicating whole
Oschman did something quite exceptional in this book; he expressed my understanding of the way living things work, but went beyond my dark intuitive sense of the significance of the whole, to a crisp,intellectual, yet poetic, expression of the parts in relation to that whole

expansive, objective, thorough
The problem with many books on all types of energy healing are the moments when well-meaning but hopelessly uninformed authors try to explain the "why" of their practice. Why does energy healing work? What is the physiological mechanism for this phenomenon? While authors whose practice is informed by their psychic knowledge (Barbara Brennan, Rosalyn Bruyere, etc.) are certainly valuable, James Oschman is successful in this book because he is first and only a scientist. He has no agenda to defend the validity of energy healing at all costs. In fact, you get the sense that he would be just as happy DISproving the phenomenon. And his objectivity in showing that in fact there IS a scientific basis for the practice is what makes this book absolutely priceless.

The topics covered are surprisingly far-ranging. I was even skeptical of some of the chapter headings, but the author is so reasonable, and his claims so well-documented that even the most open-minded might find themselves taking a new look at topics they never considered. The chapters on crystal healing and the emotional impact of posture, respectively, were for me particularly fascinating. Some of the most fascinating scientific reading I've done in years.

His description of the physical body as a liquid crystalline system, the mechanics of how movement strengthens this system, and how the physical liquid crystal interacts with and is the basis for the energetic system is remarkably beautiful. There are many moments where the scientific meets the spiritual in this book and it's so beautiful.

What this book is not: This book is not an instruction manual. I noticed at least one other review seemed to say it was an instruction manual. There are no instructions as to how to practice any of the many techniques covered. The book is for people who already know how to do these things or people who don't want to know HOW but rather WHY IT WORKS. A fabulous reference for those who would like to give clients a more lucid explanation for why various forms of energy healing might work, or at least more current theories on the topic.

Worth the price of the book for the bibliography alone.

Essential reading in energy medicine
While most people have had a cardiogram, few know that Einthoven won a Nobel prize in 1924 for discovering how to record the electromagnetic field of the heart. Even fewer know that this field is now detectable from 15 feet away from your body and that every cell has an electromagnetic field that can alter its behavior when manipulated. Thus the basic work has already been done to chart the direction for building a StarTrek Tricorder which can detect a diseased energy pattern and manipulate it towards health. Somes devices are already on the market that, while primitive compared to a Tricorder, do the job remarkably well.

A previous reviewer mentioned the placebo effect. Most scientists don't know that every patient in Stanford Medical Center when I was there studying biostatistics was in a clinical trial in order to take advantage of the placebo effect on all patients, not just the ones getting a new treatment. The National Institute of Medicine, notes in a recent publication, that the brain changes induced by opiates are the same as that induced by a placebo effect. It is far safer and often more affective to induce a placebo effect, than give a drug with negative side effects, particularly when the response is the same or better.

Enough said. These comments suggest that ignorance of the scientific literature in this field is widespread, even among leading scientists, and the first prescription for the brain disfunction resulting from this lack of knowledge is Oschman's book. I recommend it to all my colleagues. ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive text on human diseases is designed to be student friendly.It is organized in a logical, body system format, with each chapter starting with objectives and terminology.The chapters progress through a review of anatomy and physiology and then move into coverage of the most common diseases.It includes coverage of changes in the elderly and a summary with review questions at the end of each chapter. Special features, such as 'Health Highlights' and full color illustrations and photos have been added throughout to enhance student understanding. The appendix contains a glossary of terms with pronunciations.The text is concise, easy to follow, very portable, and highlights the essential information needed by the students.(Science, comprehensive, body system, health highlights, anatomy & physiology, human diseases) ... Read more

Book Description

A highly infectious, deadly virus from the central African rain forest suddenly appears in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. There is no cure. In a few days 90 percent of its victims are dead. A secret military SWAT team of soldiers and scientists is mobilized to stop the outbreak of this exotic "hot" virus. The Hot Zone tells this dramatic story, giving a hair-raising account of the
appearance of rare and lethal viruses and their "crashes" into the human race. Shocking, frightening, and impossible to ignore, The Hot Zone proves that truth really is scarier than fiction. ... Read more

Reviews (372)

A great account of close calls and tense trials with viruses
I think that Richard Preston deserves all five stars for this thrilling book on real life experiences with deadly Ebola Viruses. He took an accumulation of true stories and turned it into an interesting and spellbinding book that hardly seems true. This book is easy to follow, even though the whole is scientific. Preston balanced the scientific language and factuality with an interesting plot and rounded characters as in a fictional book. Preston went into painstaking details to turn the Reston operation and other experiments into lament terms that all readers might comprehend. His magnificent writing style also came through in his account of nurse Mayinga's journey through the city and how catastrophic the event actually might have been. I really enjoyed the amount of effort Preston put forth in describing what Ebola and Marburg actually do to the body, prior to and during death. Although the book was very good, I do think that Richard Preston might have left out the entire fourth part. It had no real influence on the situation at Kitum Cave or what the reader thought of Africa. With all things considered, I strongly advise this book be read by everyone and I will certainly recommend this book to everybody I know.

Entering the "Hot Zone"
It starts with a simple headache. Then maybe you get a nosebleed. After a few days, you know you are extremely sick. The lining of your stomach and the top layer of your tongue literally fall off. Your organs turn into mush. Excessive bleeding from every natural opening in your body occurs. And since your blood can't clot, the bleeding won't stop. Black vomit mixed with blood gushes from your mouth. Then, you die painfully with a mask-like expression on your face.

This doesn't even sound like it could exist, does it? Well it does. It is death by a virus known as Ebola. It is especially contagious in monkeys and can jump species over to humans.

The Hot Zone, by Richard Preston, describes outbreaks of this and other "hot" viruses in locations around the world, including a city near Washington, D.C. Virus experts in the Army need to unravel the Ebola mystery and try to protect the public from this vicious disease.

Preston has taken a true story and unveiled its horror. I couldn't believe how descriptive his writing is. If you want to read a true modern day thriller, then this is an awesome pick. I highly recommend it and am looking forward to reading more from Richard Preston.

Great Read!
After months of stuffy old British classics we read THE HOT ZONE by Richard Preston in my sophomore English class. What a breath of fresh air! The book reads like a novel, but is full of fascinating information about ebola. Whether you're a biology buff or just want a good beach read, this is a great book. I highly recommend this(...)

Good
This book happened to be my Physics book to read and i thought it would just be some people trying to track down this deadly virus. I thought it would all be fiction and i'd wright a report and get a good grade. Turns out, this book is fiction, one of the scariest books i've read, and one of the few books that at parts i couldn't put down!

Some parts didn't appeal to me as much as others (Thats why i give it a 4). I really liked the book and will encourage people to read it.

Cant put this down; master thriller story
This is one of the most exciting books you will ever read. And the scary thing is that the story is true. This page-turner will grip you from the onset and leave you will a chill down yor spine when you realize the nature of the world of virology.

Preston makes the story flow well from beginning to end. He makes feel like you are right in the middle of the story .. almost like you have a role to play. It wont take you long to read this book, and it is written in a comfortable style.

Anyone with an interest in viruses, microbiology, public health, or who just want a good reality thriller should read this book. You will not be disappointed! ... Read more

Book Description

The second edition of this leading phlebotomy text is thoroughlyrevised and updated to reflect what's most current in the field. As anintroduction to the collection and handling of blood specimens,Phlebotomy Essentials is unsurpassed in its coverage and detail. Acomplete overview of A & P, and strong emphasis on phlebotomy theoryprovides a solid foundation to learn from. The text's easy-to-followformat includes multiple headings to separate and highlight importantmaterial. Cogent discussion of standard precautions, transmission-basedprecautions, point-of-care testing, and the latest procedures andsafety equipment keeps readers up-to-date. Helpful pedagogy includesobjectives, key terms, suggested lab activities, and review questionsfor each chapter. An Instructor's Manual is also available. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great book for learning
We use this book in our school's Phlebotomy and Medical Assistant program. It is complete, and has been used by several other schools and Phlebotomy certification associations. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

I'm no pathologist and I love it.
I'm a chemist and in my practical experience in the laboratory I have to say this is probably the best text you will find if you are a analytical reader. Of course, this book is not written with a enjoyable style, but if you bear to read it carefully and really analize the details, you will not regret the effort. This is great for reference and if it wasn't so dull in style It will make a great job as a textbook too, besides this is a classic.

Very useful for pathology residents
I rate this book a "4" as it is essential reading for residents in pathology. A large number of the pathology board questions come directly from this book, making it necessary reading. It's also VERY dry reading, even for a pathology textbook. However, due to its importance in studying for the boards, I highly recommend it.

Extremely Useful
I'm medical student from Hong Kong. I find it very useful in preparing Problem-based-learning tutorilas. The interpretation of the laboratory results are the most useful. It helps me understand more in the PBL cases.

A must for every doctor
Simple and delightful , filled with nice illustrations this book is necessary to every doctor not only clinical pathologists and laboratorits but everyone who handles daily with ambulatory and infirmary pacients. A must in every uptodate doctor or even meddicine students bookshelf.

Supurb text
This reference receives from all reviewers the top recommendations for comprehensive, concise, understandable presentations. Every laboratorian needs this reference. The 20th edition is due in February, 2001. ... Read more

Book Description

Maximize your success on inservice and recertification exams using the HARRISON'S BOARD REVIEW. Features 800 multiple-choice questions in board format with detailed answers and references to the new 15th edition of "HARRISON'S." ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Comprehensive But You Are on Your Own!
I have used the other editions mainly as a reference to many medical conditons which I hear about in my practice as a psychiatrist. As usual,the latest text provides the information but there is no attempt to bullet or separate out the most important stuff - and no beautiful color diagrams as in Cecil's. Of its many strengths, the HIV chapter is authored by Anthony Fauci at NIH, a renowned international AIDS expert. If you want to keep up to date the ...price is a bargain. If you are a student choose what is most helpful to your style and use the study guide for board practice.

big and complete
Big, complete and one of the most renowned books of internal medicine. Only the index could be more completely and the pictures could have been coloured. Instead of showing the genetic background
some practical approaches should sometimes have been emphasized more.

great reference book
Briefly speaking: this book is for people who are familiar with the field of Medicine. Every few years I have to get a new edition as medicine is developing so rapidly. As I am now out of the mainstream of Medicine, when I want to look up something I read this book and the Merck Manual and I look up words I don't know in the on-line medical dictionary. That provides a fairly good intro. If I want to know more I go into the papers on PubMed. As far as I'm concerned, this book is a must-have, if you want to try to keep up with the field.

The Bible of Internal Medicine in "Pocket" Form
This is an excellent resource for those questions that need quick, consise answers. The chapters for Harrison's Principles of Internal medicine are neatly summarized into quick-reading two or three page summaries, with many helpful charts and management tips. Depth and underlying pathophysiology is not well covered, but that's what the big book (Principles) is for. My only complaint is that with this edition, the book is about 5"x8", which doesn't fit into my coat pocket. The companion to the 14th edition (4"x6") is virtually identical in information, and fits in my pocket. ... Read more

Book Description

The fourth edition of Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique offers the most complete training manual of its kind on the fundamental principles and techniques of animal cell culture. Within this volume, indispensable updates reflecting the latest progress in media, specialized techniques, biotechnology, DNA transfer, and tumor culture have been made. This edition has five new chapters expanding on serum-free media, scale-up and biofermentors, molecular techniques, immortalization, and troubleshooting.
The advantages of tissue culture go beyond control of the physiochemical environment and physiological conditions as shown in the comprehensive coverage of tissue culture topics, both organ culture and cell culture, provided in this manual. A wide range of essential information from basic to specialized procedures is presented, highlighting advantages and limitations, and illustrating the properties of different types of culture.
This crucial reference for cell culture techniques includes:
* New Atlas of Cells section in full-color presentation
* Extended coverage of molecular techniques, scale-up, and serum-free medium
* New chapter on problem solving
* Photographs of cell lines, contaminations, and equipment
* Clear and concise tables and charts
* Educated recommendations on safety issues, ethical consent, and ownership
Biomedical researchers in cell biology, cytology, molecular biology, immunology, neuroscience, toxicology, and cancer biology will find Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique, Fourth Edition to be an invaluable reference. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Still excellent at 3 years old...
Even though this book was published in 2001, it is still an irreplaceable source of info in my lab. The pictures and tables are wonderful. The only drawback is that is lacks info on a few cell lines (THP1, for example).

A SUPERB Manual of Basic Cell CultureTechnique
I purchased this book a year ago to use in a clinical virology laboratory. Although many of the recipes used in my field are essentially set, this book allowed for broad learning in the skill of cell culture. I learned many principles of cell culture that were poorly explained or not mentioned in clinical literature and books.

This book is well laid out, the chapters well written, and the information is comprehensive. Subjects include (besides the usual stuff of cell culture) chapters covering equipment materials, safety, contamination, scale up, a reagent appendix, and supplier's listing.

This book is an excellent choice for the serious beginner. The expert will certainly find this book of value because even experts are only expert at what they do routinely and there is so much to know. This would be a great training source for research or clinical laboratories who perform cell culture.

A must have book for the people doing the cell related work
This book gives us comprehesive review on new techniques in cell cultures. It is a good guidance to the people who is doing the cell-based techniques.

Wonderful reference book
This book is a superb reference book. It is useful for a beginning or an experienced tissue culture practitioner. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE
This elaborated lab manual is very useful for reviewing all the procedures currently employed in clinical laboratories. It covered all the important aspects of investigative medicine like: microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, pathology, haematology and histology.
"Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Testing" provides diagnostic guidance; as well as conclusive interpretation to every aspect of clinical lab investigations.
It is a manual, which both trainees and experienced practitioners should pay attention to.

A 'BIBLE' to all the medical laboratory technologists ...
This is one of the best book intown for medical laboratory workers.Other than providing the normal values and the procedures of all kind of test , this book also gives explanation of test , clinical implications , interfering factors, patient preparation , and aftercare .

A comprehensive , up-to-date diagnostic reference source not only for medical laboratory technologists, but also clinicians , educators and students . ... Read more

Amazon.com

Forensic pathologist Michael Baden was a medicalexaminer in New YorkCity for more than 25 years.Now he works forthe New York State Police and teachesforensic medicine. This engrossing book covers: (1) several famous cases, including Baden's personal re-examination of the autopsy findings forMartin Luther King andJohn F. Kennedy; (2) unusual cases Badenhad as medical examiner for NYC, such as anautopsy on a dining room table at the Plaza Hotel; (3) how medical examiners decide onmeans of death, with a section on poisons; (4) the history of coroners and medicalexaminers since 12th century England;(5) disturbing politics involved in the office ofthe Chief MedicalExaminer of NYC; (6) identification of the dead; (7) time of death; (8)multiple-murder cases; (9) an almost perfect murder; (10) close calls, including neardeaths during sex; (11) cases of mistaken diagnosis; and (12) autopsy findings that shedlight on what happened in the Attica uprising. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Interesting But Jaded
In 1977, Congress set up the Select Committee on Assassinations to look into JFK's assassination. Baden was in charge of the forensic pathology investigation and set up a panel of nine medical examiners. Others investigated the non-forensic areas. Baden feels that the conspiracy theories abounded due to a poor medical-legal autopsy performed on the president by Commander Humes who'd never done one before. Baden feels these theories still abound because he was not allowed to testify about the committee's forensic findings. The Select Committee on Assassinations concluded that theirs was a second gunman based on acoustical evidence.

I think the book was poorly organized. In his Introduction, Baden explains the science of forensic pathology. He followed this with a chapter on Heroes and Conspiracies possibly for the sensationalism. It makes more sense to follow the explanation of forensic pathology with the following chapter order History, The Education of a Medical Examiner, Autopsy, Manhattan Postmortem (about city politics and how they interfere with ability of the ME to do his job), Earthly Remains, Time of Death then Heroes and Conspiracies with the remaining chapters in the same order.

The book provides a lot of valuable information on the profession however I recommend reading Cause of Death (which I also reviewed) by Cyril Wecht, M.D., J.D. with Mark Curriden and Benjamin Wecht for the story behind JFK's assassination. Wecht was also on the Select Committee on Assassinations.

excellent and fascinating nonfiction
You might have seen Dr. Michael Baden as a guest commentator on the cable news shows or as a featured expert on HBO's Autopsy series. He's one of the best forensic pathologists in the country, and he's written a definitive and concise treatment of his profession in Unnatural Death. Near the front of the book is one of the best and most convincing segments on the JFK assasination and the single bullet theory. This alone makes the book worth getting, especially if you want a solid but short objective treatment of the single bullet theory (and don't want to delve into Gerald Posner's Case Closed).

But that's just the beginning. Baden goes on to look at a variety of celebrity deaths and types of deaths through the eyes of the forensic pathologist. He makes a great case for the need for this specialty and for how much it can contribute to society by a fuller understanding of death and its processes. The celebrity parts are reminiscent of the Coroner books by Thomas Noguchi (which I would also recommend if you're into this sort of thing), but it's the comprehensive treatment of the specialty of forensic pathology that sets this book apart.

When great stories go bad
This book had amazing potential in its premise alone: the former Chief Medical Examiner of New York City gives us insight into the medical (and often political) twists and turns behind the scenes of highly publicized unnatural deaths. Unfortunately, this book turned out to be a HUGE letdown.

The writing was poor and often confusing. Not a smooth read by any means - very fragmented, scattered and random. The stories themselves pull you in because they are interesting, true and controversial, but then the author leaves you with about a dozen loose ends and unanswered questions. For example, in Chapter 11, he talks about the murder of Gail Morris. We are taken through the story only to be left hanging at the end. Why did Leonard Barco confess? Too many important details are left out. I feel like I only read half a book.

Then, there is the story of Miriam Weinfeld (Chapter 5). Baden claims that she could not have been raped because her hymen was intact, making her a virgin. This is misleading, since that is not a definitive test of virginity (it is possible for a small percentage of women have an elastic hymen, which does not break). So, for someone who does know that, that definitive statement is misleading. Little details like this - statements made without any qualifications - made me distrust the book. I am sure Michael Baden has some great stories to tell (and is obviously qualified to tell them), but the writing screwed them up. It's too bad...it could have been an incredible book.

The best of the two . . .
I thought this book was better than Michael Baden's other book "Dead Reckoning." This was a very interesting read. I learned a few things about the industry of medical examiners and forensics. I wouldn't recommend this book to those who have a weak stomach, because the author doesn't hold back the details in quite a few areas of the book. For those people who love C.S.I. (you know, that popular forensic television show?) or are simply curious about the industry this book will be an interesting read! I even gave this book to some friends of mine and they enjoyed it just as much as I did. The style of writing makes the topic easy to understand for the average Joe Smoe. Good book, I like it!

You've got to be kidding
I've been a fan of Michael Baden ever since watching my first HBO special. I've seen several of them. I decided to buy a book by Baden even though I don't read many books. I knew he was involved with the HSCA investigation of Kennedy, which comprises over 90% of the books I have read, and was aware of his conclusions at the time. I would have figured by 1989 he would have somewhat changed his tune. He hadn't and as far as I know still hasn't. Any respect I had for this man as an expert in the field is now tainted by what I read in the beginning of this book. Dr. Baden makes several statements that when not cross-examined seem compelling but are if fact grossly mis-representative or unbelievable false. I can't believe someone of his caliber would stoop as low as he did. He provides his "opinion" but not the cross-examination that his opinion warrants. If he did then he would have to explain himself and based on SEVERAL comments he made it is simply not possible. Someone of his esteem should have been decent enough to make an attempt to examine both sides. An example would be his opinion that the reason Kennedy was thrown back and to the left was because the car accelerated at that precise moment. What a joke! Can you explain Dr. Baden why NONE of the other occupants of the car were not forced back and to the left as well. Based on the way Jackie was sitting she would have been thrown around more than her husband, but that didn't happen. Further explain why the head was thrown back and to the left with much greater force than the rest of the body. The video evidence clearly shows that the head was thrown back first, and with greater force, with the body following simply because it was attached. This is not speculation based on faulty evidence which Mr. Baden gives. This is fact based on hard and fast evidence that anyone viewing the Zapruder film can see. Unfortunately when someone with an ego such as Baden's he has to maintain his ridiculous opinion. The Kennedy assassination is fascinating in that it is really the only event where conspiracy can be proved by watching a very short film. Any hunter or marksman, not to mention scientist, will tell you when you shoot something the force of the projectile will propel that something in the same direction the projectile is traveling. It is that simple. Scientifically as well as logically what you see on the Zapruder film cleary shows the direction the bullet that killed the president was traveling. You can dispute that all you want but run a million tests and 1 million times the results will all be the same. Oh yeah Dr. Baden also contradicts himself by vehemently stating that bullets simply don't fall out of a wound. Then later he speculates that in fact that very thing did happen. Did he bother to proof read what he wrote? ... Read more

Book Description

This groundbreaking book provides authoritative and comprehensive coverage of disease entities of the abdomen and pelvis organised by organ system and anatomical structure. Each chapter presents superior quality magnetic resonance images of normal appearances and a complete array of disease entities.

Key Features:

• Explains the use of the latest techniques such as new contrast agents and three-dimensional gradient echo
• Includes almost 2,000 all new, high-quality images
• Provides comprehensive coverage of the male and female anatomy
• Dr. Semelka is one of the world's leading experts and an accomplished author

Reviews (2)

Excellent Book
"...Overall this is an excellent MRI reference work .... I have no doubts this will be a valuable addition to the reporting room reference collection." (NMR in Biomedicine)

Excellent Text
"...an excellent text that includes a broad range of pathological disorders related to the abdomen and pelvis and their imaging characteristics on MRI..." ... Read more

Book Description

The Bethesda System for reporting the results of cervical cytology was developed as a uniform system of terminology, providing clear guidance for clinical management. The Bethesda System 2001 Workshop was convened to evaluate and update the 1991 Bethesda System terminology for reporting the results of cervical cytology. The New Edition has been extensively updated and revised to reflect the new Bethesda System. The new terminology reflects important advances in biological understanding of cervical neoplasia and cervical screening technology. The handbook has now been expanded to include more than 185 full color illustrations (twice the number of color images than in the 1st edition). New to the Second Edition are sections that address ancillary testing, including HPV, the inclusion of educational notes and recommendations, computerized screening, and anal cytology, as well as sample reports. In line with recent advances, the text and images will address liquid-based cytology in addition to conventional cytology. In addition to its user-friendly, outline format, the inclusion of an Index will allow the reader easier access to the information. A must-have for pathologists, cytopathologists, pathology residents, cytotechnologists, and clinicians. ... Read more

Book Description

Written by the nation's foremost authority on gunshot wounds and forensic techniques as they relate to firearm injuries, Gunshot Wounds: Practical Aspects of Firearms, Ballistics, and Forensic Techniques, Second Edition provides critical information on gunshot wounds and the weapons and ammunition used to inflict them. The book describes practical aspects of ballistics, wound ballistics, and the classification of various wounds caused by handguns, bang guns, rifles, and shotguns. The final chapters explain autopsy technique and procedure and laboratory analysis relating to weapons and gunshot evidence. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Shocking
Very informative about the destructive power a bullet can have. As wrong as this may sound, if you own guns and have children, this is a good book to buy. It is difficult to explain to a child what a bullet can do to a human being. With this, you can show them.

An excellent textbook on the subject of firearm injuries
This text should be in the library of any reader who has an interest in the topic of guns and the injuries they produce. While written with the practising forensic pathologist in mind, the book is appropriate for investigators, attorneys and other healthcare providers. The discussions of firearms and their features are very good and should help those with limited knowledge about guns understand what they do, how they do it and the terminology used in the field.

The only book you will ever need on the topic.
As a criminal defense attorney, my clients freedom often rests on my ability to understand the technical aspects of a case. While I will seldom, if ever, know more than the "expert" opposing me, understanding the topic in a straight forward and simple manner makes my interaction with that expert a benefit to my client. This to the point of knowing when not to say anything. This book provides a one-stop resource for all aspects of firearms, gunshot wounds, and the related forensic techniques and methods. A must for anyone who needs to understand, in plain language, the issues that come into play in gunshot injury and firearm cases. The photographs, x-rays, and diagrams provide an excellent point of reference for the text.

This is not a review but I can not find a way to email you
I tried to order this book by name and by author and I was told this book in not available and I could get on your list if it wanted to then I would get a notice if a new edition is printed. I said ok to that. Then I was browsing in program and I found this book and I really want to buy it but a friend of mine has had it on order, he already paid for his copies, for months and has not yet received the books. I would buy it if I could be guaranteed that I would get it sooner than 3-4 months. His name is Jeff Salyards and you can check it out. I am sorry if this goes out over the net and other customers see this but this is the only way I see how to get this message to you. ... Read more

Book Description

The Mouse Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates, Second Edition is the most comprehensive and accurate atlas of the mouse brain ever published. The first edition of this book has become the acknowledged reference in its field. In the second edition, the authors incorporated lower brainstem sections, an entire sagittal plane of section and revised all delineations, especially of the cortex. This guide is essential to those who study the brain of this species or any similar species, including hamsters.The large, spiral-bound format makes it easy to see the details in each illustration or photograph and compare them to animal models in the lab.

KEY FEATURES
*A coronal set featuring 100 photographs and 100 matching detailed diagrams delineating the entire brain
*A sagittal set featuring 32 photographs and 32 matching detailed diagrams
*Photographs of Nissl- and Acetylcholinesterase sections alternate
*Thoroughly revised cortical delineations and improved subcortical delineations
*Deluxe Edition contains diagrams available on CD-ROM constructed by Paul Halasz ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great altas!
I am an associate at TSRI in La Jolla. As long as I have worked here, we have used this atlas, and I have not yet found a better one! ... Read more

Book Description

Emphasizing practical diagnostic problem solving, this new book provides accessible, comprehensive guidance on the recognition and interpretation of neoplastic and non-neoplastic lung disorders. Contains 1,360 illustrations (1,200 in full color) vividly depict a full range of pulmonary histologic and cytologic findings. These images are accompanied by relevant clinical and radiographic information, as well as a wealth of practical tips and advice from internationally respected experts. A user-friendly format makes information easy to find. ... Read more

Book Description

Recently expanded to 2 volumes, Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, Fifth Edition, provides condensed descriptions of more than 700 methods compiled from Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. Includes new chapters on chromatin assembly and analysis, nucleic acid arrays, generation and use of combinatorial libraries, discovery and analysis of differentially expressed genes in single cells and cell populations.

The book is specifically designed to provide quick access to step-by-step instructions for the essential methods used in every major area of molecular biological research

Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, Fifth Edition is an authoritative and indispensable guide for all life scientists, researchers, and students at the graduate and advanced undergraduate level

Expanded to 2 volumes. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

an excellent brief reference book
This is a well-organized, clear, short reference work. Well done

The (little) Red book...
Here is the little red bok.
If the big one is too expensive for you, you can always buy this. You'll find inside all the important protocols and data for molecular biology.It's up to date, and clearly presented.
Try it, and then buy the big one!

A very good reference manual
This book is an essential tool for people in the scientific field such as Molecular Biology (obviously), Biochemistry, and Neuroscience. It is comprehensive and up-to-date as far as the techniques are concerned. It is good value in a sense that you don't have to buy the whole "Current Protocols Series" which costs an arm and a leg if you do. Although nowadays, a lot of "kits" are commercially available, the techniques found in this book explain principles and provide different alternatives suited for your needs. Molecular Cloning by Maniatis et al., although needs updating, is still a helpful reference in my opinion and it complements this book.

A Must-Have for any Molecular Biologist...
I originally bought this book as a secondary source of information (Maniatis has ben my bible now for a few years...) but as time has progressed I have found myself using this book more and more. The protocols are easy to follow, logically placed, give enough information so you understand what it is you are doing, are up to date, and are all in one volume. Yes, this has effectively replaced my copy of Molecular Cloning (which is in desperate need of an update). Great job! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A useful review of basic pathology
The 7th addition of Robbins Basic pathology is several hundred pages shorter than the previous edition. Most of what was removed was basic physiology and anatomy review. I found that while it's good to have a shorter textbook, the loss of these subjects made for less interesting reading. The 7th edition also adds quite a bit more molecular biology and molecular genetics, reflecting chnages in the study of pathology. Overall, it's an excellent pathology review book and will be very useful for medical students and path residents who want to review. The main flaw of the book is an unavoidable one. Many important areas of pathology are covered in a single paragraph and much detail is lacking. However, the authors had to do this to keep the book relatively short (only 700 pages). I recomment this book highly as a good way to begin studying pathology.

A classic and organised textbook which need more updateING
Robbins pathology is a classic textbook for medicine. 7.edition is very attractive with funny illustrations. Saunders quality seems obviously. But Robbins couldn't solve that problem: It is becoming looser and looser... Rates, incidences are not satisfactory... It tends to escape from details,but sometimes it makes this classic book simple... Clinics are not updated enough. There are many misscarriages... For example rutin thyroid scintigraphy uses Tc99m pertechnate, not radioiodine... Little doses of it may cause permenant hypothyroidism. And osteomalasia/osteoporosis. Now,we now that: Only 1-2 h/week UV to face and forearms is enough to synthesize essentiall amounts of vitamin D. So wears (veils etc) are not important as the cause of vit. D deficiency. It is not realistic and new datas showed these kind of comments are all defective. Race and geographic position is the important factors ( As written in an other classic: Harrisons...). Of course these are not interesting details for someone, a pathology book maynot talk about them, if it does, it must true. I hope 8. edition will become stronger... Cost of price... Thanks for editors. Essentiall for USMLE, with BRS pathology...

Explicative, Complete and Easy to Understand
This book makes the compilation of the main concepts of medical pathology that every medical student or physician must know for an optimal practice.... the figures and tables makes understanding a lot easier and faster..... it's a jewel in pathology books!

Clean, easy and complete!
This edition of Basic Pathology is a very good book for Medicine students, because it is as complete as necessary for a graduation course, and this book's easy language and beautiful diagrams, pictures and tables makes Pathology easier to understand.

Concise, fluent, and up-to-date.
Baby Robbins is the final authority in second-year pathology. Clinical features are highlighted, and organization is straight forward. I skip class and depend solely on this text sometimes. ... Read more

Book Description

Medicolegal investigation of death is the most crucial and significant function of the medical examiner within the criminal justice system. The medical examiner is primarily concerned with violent, sudden, unexpected, and suspicious deaths and is responsible for determining the cause and manner of death, identifying the deceased, determining the approximate time of death and injury, collecting evidence from the body, issuing the death certificate, and documenting these events through an official autopsy report. The basis of the medicolegal investigation is forensic pathology.Written for both medical and investigative professionals, Forensic Pathology, Second Edition presents an overview of medicolegal investigative systems. Completely updated, the book examines investigative techniques and procedures that lead to obtaining accurate conclusions of death by homicide, accident, or suicide. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent sourcebook for readers
This book, originally loaned to me by a police professional, is an excellent resource for a variety of readers who are involved with criminal investigations but don't really have all the tools and training of a full-time medical examiner. In my case, as a crime author, the text was an invaluable reference, putting some highly technical material into easily digested context. The collection of photographs, while occasionally grisly, provides an excellent visual reference. Recommended for laymen of all kinds who need a good reference work on forensic pathology.

Wonderful Textbook Style Book
This book didn't beat around the bush at all. It took you right into the morbid details of death. Every subject I can think of regarding death was explained in this book. The pictures were mostly black and white but the detail in them was still enough to stir my stomach.

This book went from babies to burns, from rapes to stabbings, from gunshots to suffocation. It told you how things were done and why evidence was placed the way that it was.

This book was in textbook form and I believe that it is actually used for students to learn with. In saying that, you can not only learn with this book but you can also keep yourself interested with having some death questions answered.

Overall, a wonderful book for someone looking to get into the forensic field, or for someone just interested in death and how some things happen.

Excellent Reference Book
One cannot help comparing this book with "Spitz and Fisher's Medicolegal Investigation of Death", which is in the same price range.

This book is smaller and thinner, but it covers more exotic cases in the field, such as crucifixion and an asphyxiation by python. It also contains more data from academic research.

While "Spitz and Fisher" is generally considered the required textbook for students and the ultimate authority in courtrooms, this one by Messrs. Di Maio (father and son) should be the required reference book for students in the field. ... Read more