Silent Witness: How Forensic Anthropology is Used to Solve the World's Toughest Crimes - Softcover

Ferllini M.A., Roxana

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1770851186 ISBN 13: 9781770851184

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2012

Synopsis

Praise for the first edition:
This book should be of considerable interest to a broad range of general readers ... recommended.
--Choice

An important introduction to the science of forensic anthropology.
--Kliatt

Silent Witness takes readers behind the scenes on real crime cases requiring the skills and expertise of a forensic anthropologist. It describes the techniques they use, how they locate a body and uncover evidence, and how the unique characteristics of each body bear silent witness to age, sex and cause of death as well as clues leading to who or what was responsible.

Following a foreword and case study by world-renowned forensic anthropologist Cyril Wecht, the book opens with a review of the science of forensics--how bones "talk." Eight chapters organize 350 color photographs and illustrations to focus on such topics as the history of forensic anthropology; what bones tell us; types of interment and exhumation; body decomposition, facial reconstruction; air disasters; fires and explosives; and massacres.

The book uses 32 real-life case studies to illustrate the techniques used. They include the notorious (Ernesto "Che" Guevara, Jeffrey Dahmer); the tragic and explosive (American Airlines Flight 191, the Hinton Rail Collision); the horrific (dirty wars, genocide); and the wretched (bank robber and circus exhibit Elmer McCurdy).

Since it was first published, Silent Witness has been used in high school and college classrooms across North America as a required text or recommended reading.

About this title

About the Author:

Roxana Ferllini has worked for the UK Foreign Office as a Senior Forensic Anthropologist in their missions to Kosovo and for the United Nations as a Forensic Anthropologist in Rwanda. She has written extensively on facial reproduction, political conflict and genocide in Rwanda and the role of forensic anthropology in human rights issues. She has a Master of Arts in biological anthropology and is a respected teacher of forensic anthropology to doctors and judges. She also teaches at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London.

Cyril H. Wecht is a forensic pathologist, attorney and medical-legal consultant certified by the American Board of Pathology. He teaches at the University of Pittsburgh and the Duquesne University Schools of Law, Pharmacy, and Health Sciences. Dr. Wecht has performed approximately 17,000 autopsies and has supervised, reviewed or has been consulted on approximately 30,000 additional postmortem examinations.

Review:

[Review for previous edition] Although her explanations are clinical, Ferllini yet possesses the ability to communicate the solace that the forensic anthropologist's closure can provide to loved ones and to society at large ... Exciting application of science will hook even reluctant readers; does include graphic crime descriptions. (Booklist 2002-08-01)

[Review for previous edition] Informative and entertaining ... I would recommend this text to anyone with an interest in forensic studies generally and anthropology particularly. (British Assoc for Human Identification, website -- 2003-04-21)

[Review for previous edition] Informative and visually impacting overview of the use of forensic science. (Linda Plwowarczyk Chicago Sun papers 2003-06-19)

[Review for previous edition] This book should be of considerable interest to a broad range of general readers ... recommended. (S.D Stout Choice)

[Review for previous edition] An important introduction to the science of forensic anthropology. (Janet Julian Kliatt 2003-01-15)

[Review for previous edition] This is an arresting book, describing in both text and photographs the techniques and cases involved, with also quietly expressing the motivations of the practicing scientist. (D.Yvonne Jones Public Libraries)

[Review for previous edition] Ferllini draws on her wide experience to produce a fascinating look at her profession's capability to illuminate history's mysteries and to assist in investigations of crime scenes. (Dori DeSpain School Library Journal)

About this edition

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1770851186
• ISBN 13: 9781770851184
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 224