Beating the Devil's Game: A History of Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation, Katherine Ramsland, Penguin Books, 2007

From a renowned expert in criminology comes an essential and authoritative examination of the history of forensice science and the evolution of criminal investigation.

Today, the basic scientific precepts of crimnal investigation-that no two fingerprints are alike, that DNA is unique to an individual, that blood shows up under certain kinds of light, and that bullets are marked with distinctive patterns when fired-are widely known among professionals and laypeople alike. But behind each of these now commonplace concepts is a compelling story of the hand-in-hand evolution of science and the law, spearheaded by innovative thinkers, many of whom risked their careers and reputations for the sake of more perfect justice.

In Beating The Devil's Game, Katherine Ramsland traces that development from 13th century Chinese studies of decomposition rates through the flowering of science during the Renaissance and its veritable explosion during the era of Newtonian physics in the 19th century, up to the marvels of the present day and beyond.

Along the way, she introduces us to fascinating forensic pioneers such as Spain's Mathieu Orfila, the father of toxicology, and current trailblazers like William Bass, whose fully integrated program in entomology, anthropology, and pathology at the Forensic Anthropology Center has galvanized the field. These are the visionaries who have persisted in raising investigative standards-and whose efforts keep us just steps ahead of increasingly sophisticated criminals.

6 1/4" x 9 1/4", 300 pages, hardcover, ISBN: 978-0-425-21711-5, BB0840 / $24.95

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