forensic anthropology

"Fans of true crime shows like CSI, NCIS, Criminal Minds, and Law and Order know that when it comes to "getting the bad guy" behind bars, your best chance of success boils down to the strength of your evidence-and the forensic science used to obtain it. Beyond the silver screen, forensic science has been used for decades to help solve even the most tough-to-crack cases. In 2018, the accused Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo, was finally apprehended after a decades-long investigation thanks to a very recent technique called forensic genealogy, which has since led to the closure of hundreds of cold cases, bringing long-awaited justice to victims and families alike. But when it comes to solving these incredibly difficult cases, forensic genealogy is just the tip of the iceberg-and many readers have no idea just how far down that iceberg goes. For Laurah Norton, forensic science was always more of a passion than anything else. But after learning about a mishandled 1990s cold case involving missing twins, she was spurred to action, eventually creating a massively popular podcast and building a platform that helped bring widespread attention and resources to the case. LAY THEM TO REST builds on Laurah's fascination with these investigations, introducing readers to the history and evolution of forensic science, from the death masks used in Ancient Rome to the 3-D facial reconstruction technology used today. Incorporating the stories of real-life John & Jane Does across four centuries-and five countries-Laurah examines how changing identification methods have helped solve cases like The Boy in the Box, The Clocaenog Forest Man, and more. Along the way readers will also get to see Laurah solve a case in real time with forensic anthropologist Dr. Amy Michael, as they try to determine the identity of "Ina" Jane Doe, a woman whose skull and vertebrae were found dangling in a bush in an Illinois park in 1993. More than just a chronicle of the history of forensics, LAY THEM TO REST is also a celebration of the growing field of experts, forensic artists, and anthropologists (many of whom Laurah talks to in the book), who work tirelessly to bring closure to these unsolved cases. And of course, this book asks why some cases go unsolved, highlighting the "missing missing," the sex workers, undocumented, the cases that so desperately need our attention, but so rarely get it. Engrossing, informative, heartbreaking, and hopeful, LAY THEM TO REST is a deep dive into the world of forensic science, showing readers how far we've come in cracking cases and catching killers, and illuminating just how far we have yet to go"--.

"An anthropologist working with forensic teams and victims' families to investigate crimes against humanity in Latin America explores what science can tell us about the lives of the dead in this . . . account of grief, the power of ritual, and a quest for justice . . . Over the course of Guatemala's thirty-year armed conflict--the longest ever in Central America--over 200,000 people were killed. During Argentina's military dictatorship in the seventies, over 30,000 people were disappeared. Today, forensic anthropologists in each country are gathering evidence to prove atrocities and seek justice. But these teams do more than just study skeletons--they work to repair families and countries torn apart by violence. In 'Still Life with Bones,' anthropologist Alexa Hagerty learns to see the dead body with a forensic eye. She examines bones for evidence of torture and fatal wounds--hands bound by rope, cuts from machetes--but also for signs of a life lived: to articulate how life shapes us down to the bone. A weaver is recognized from the tiny bones of the toes, molded by years of kneeling before a loom; a girl is identified alongside her pet dog. In the tenderness of understanding these bones, Hagerty discovers how exhumation serves as a ritual in the naming and placement of the dead, and connects ancestors with future generations"--Provided by publisher.

"What can modern forensic tools teach us about existing and . . . uncovered artifacts from ancient Chinese dynasties? How can we learn about human migration from the discovery of preserved bodies? Can . . . technology uncover . . . clues about the Great Wall of China? Dive into this . . . title, which examines how forensic science has allowed scientists, archaeologists, and historians to solve mysteries and answer questions about ancient China"--Amazon.

"Can modern DNA analysis uncover clues about the ancestry and migration of Romans? What . . . information can forensic science teach us about the fate of the citizens of Pompeii? How can X-rays help us analyze ancient art to learn about ancient Roman life? Examines how forensic science has allowed scientists, archaeologists, and historians to solve mysteries and answer questions about ancient Rome"--Amazon.

Looks at forensic anthropology, including facial reconstruction, mass graves, and skeletal remains.

Forensic anthropologist Bill Bass traces the rise of modern forensic science, highlighting key cases and describing the forensic methods used to investigate crimes, explaining how they can determine time of death, detect trace elements, extract DNA, and decipher crime scene clues.

A forensic anthropologist and human anatomist recounts her life stories to explain how a person's life history is revealed through their bones.

Facing the most heartbreaking case of her career, Temperance Brennan investigates shallow graves where fading clues begin to emerge of a brutal crime that was committed more than two decades ago.

"What can modern DNA analysis of skeletons tell us about the lifestyle, diet, and beliefs of the Maya? How can . . . mapping technology uncover previously hidden Mayan cities and structures? Can we use forensic science to solve the mystery of how the Mayan civilization came to an end? Examines how forensic science has allowed scientists, archaeologists, and historians to solve mysteries and answer questions about the Maya"--Provided by the publisher.

Forensic sculptor Eve Duncan, rocked by the discovery that the child's skeleton she buried is not that of her murdered daughter, feels compelled to leave her lover Joe and adopted daughter Jane and take an assignment in Baton Rouge that leads her to the heart of a dangerous, and perhaps deadly, government conspiracy.