Crime and Circumstance: Investigating the History of Forensic Science

Today, there is more interest in forensic science than ever before. Crime and Circumstance weaves the 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 into an entertaining narrative that introduces readers to intriguing cases and personalities across history, countries, and cultures and helps readers translate current popularity 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. The 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.