Detective Fiction and the Rise of Forensic Science

1999
Detective Fiction and the Rise of Forensic Science

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  • Author: Ronald R. Thomas
  • Publisher: Cambridge University Press
  • ISBN: 9780521527620
  • Category : Law
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 368

This is a book about the relationship between the development of forensic science in the nineteenth century and the invention of the new literary genre of detective fiction in Britain and America. Ronald R. Thomas examines the criminal body as a site of interpretation and enforcement in a wide range of fictional examples, from Poe, Dickens and Hawthorne through Twain and Conan Doyle to Hammett, Chandler and Christie. He is especially concerned with the authority the literary detective manages to secure through the 'devices' - fingerprinting, photography, lie detectors - with which he discovers the truth and establishes his expertise, and the way in which those devices relate to broader questions of cultural authority at decisive moments in the history of the genre. This is an interdisciplinary project, framing readings of literary texts with an analysis of contemporaneous developments in criminology, the rules of evidence, and modern scientific accounts of identity.

Detective Fiction

2005-09-30
Detective Fiction

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  • Author: Charles J. Rzepka
  • Publisher: Polity
  • ISBN: 9780745629421
  • Category : Fiction
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 298

'Detective Fiction' is a clear and compelling look at some of the best known, yet least-understood characters and texts of the modern day. Undergraduate students of Detective and Crime Fiction and of genre fiction in general, will find this book essential reading.

The Science of Sherlock Holmes

2010-12-07
The Science of Sherlock Holmes

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  • Author: E.J. Wagner
  • Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
  • ISBN: 1118040120
  • Category : Law
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 258

Praise for The Science of Sherlock Holmes "Holmes is, first, a great detective, but he has also proven to be a great scientist, whether dabbling with poisons, tobacco ash, or tire marks. Wagner explores this fascinating aspect of his career by showing how his investigations were grounded in the cutting-edge science of his day, especially the emerging field of forensics.... Utterly compelling." —Otto Penzler, member of the Baker Street Irregulars and proprietor of The Mysterious Bookshop "E. J. Wagner demonstrates that without the work of Sherlock Holmes and his contemporaries, the CSI teams would be twiddling their collective thumbs. Her accounts of Victorian crimes make Watson's tales pale! Highly recommended for students of the Master Detective." —Leslie S. Klinger, Editor, The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes "In this thrilling book, E. J. Wagner has combined her considerable strengths in three disciplines to produce a work as compelling and blood-curdling as the best commercial fiction. This is CSI in foggy old London Town. Chilling, grim fun." —John Westermann, author of Exit Wounds and Sweet Deal "I am recommending this delightful work to all of my fellow forensic scientists.... Bravo, Ms. Wagner!" —John Houde, author of Crime Lab: A Guide for Nonscientists "A fabulously interesting read. The book traces the birth of the forensic sciences to the ingenuity of Sherlock Holmes. A wonderful blend of history, mystery, and whodunit." —Andre Moenssens, Douglas Stripp Professor of Law Emeritus, University of Missouri at Kansas City, and coauthor of Scientific Evidence in Civil and Criminal Cases

Irrefutable Evidence

2009-10-16
Irrefutable Evidence

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  • Author: Michael Kurland
  • Publisher: Ivan R. Dee
  • ISBN: 1461662397
  • Category : Science
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 344

The rise of scientific thinking in finding, catching, and convicting criminals—and, just as important, freeing the innocent—has transformed society's assault on crime. Before scientific detective work, early attempts to maintain public safety relied on the severity of punishment rather than any probability of apprehension. But with the rapid development of the sciences in the nineteenth century, some techniques began to spill over into more effective police work. Michael Kurland's engrossing history of forensic science recounts this remarkable progress, which continues to the present. He traces the history of the major techniques of criminal detection and many of the minor ones. Here are Bertillon's physical measurements used to recognize habitual criminals; the study of fingerprints identifying criminals long after they have left the scene of the crime; Gravelle's comparison microscope comparing bullets to determine if they have been fired from the same gun; the development of bloodstain identification and, ultimately, the blood type involved. Mr. Kurland explains how once–accepted techniques have fallen by the wayside—handwriting analysis, for example—and how methods such as lie detectors, voice spectrum analysis, bite mark evidence, and other methods have proven unworthy. Finally Irrefutable Evidence explores the rise of modern DNA typing techniques, which have proven the innocence of many persons convicted of major crimes and resulted in the exoneration of more than two hundred on death row. With 12 black–and–white illustrations.

The Origins of the American Detective Story

2015-01-24
The Origins of the American Detective Story

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  • Author: LeRoy Lad Panek
  • Publisher: McFarland
  • ISBN: 0786481382
  • Category : Literary Criticism
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 237

Edgar Allan Poe essentially invented the detective story in 1841 with Murders in the Rue Morgue. In the years that followed, however, detective fiction in America saw no significant progress as a literary genre. Much to the dismay of moral crusaders like Anthony Comstock, dime novels and other sensationalist publications satisfied the public's hunger for a yarn. Things changed as the century waned, and eventually the detective was reborn as a figure of American literature. In part these changes were due to a combination of social conditions, including the rise and decline of the police as an institution; the parallel development of private detectives; the birth of the crusading newspaper reporter; and the beginnings of forensic science. Influential, too, was the new role model offered by a wildly popular British import named Sherlock Holmes. Focusing on the late 19th century and early 20th, this volume covers the formative years of American detective fiction. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Chemical Crimes

2019
Chemical Crimes

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  • Author: Cheryl Blake Price
  • Publisher:
  • ISBN: 9780814213919
  • Category : Literary Criticism
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 204

An exploration of poison's transformation into chemical crime during the nineteenth century and the impact on crime fiction and Victorian perceptions of science.

THE DR. THORNDYKE TRILOGY (Forensic Science Mysteries)

2023-12-17
THE DR. THORNDYKE TRILOGY (Forensic Science Mysteries)

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  • Author: R. Austin Freeman
  • Publisher: DigiCat
  • ISBN:
  • Category : Fiction
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 627

R. Austin Freeman's 'The Dr. Thorndyke Trilogy' is a captivating collection of forensic science mysteries that showcase the author's meticulous attention to detail and scientific accuracy. Set in the early 20th century, these stories follow the brilliant Dr. John Thorndyke as he uses his forensic expertise to solve perplexing crimes. Freeman's writing style is distinguished by its rich descriptions and well-paced narratives, making each mystery a riveting read for fans of detective fiction. R. Austin Freeman, a trained physician and pioneer of the detective genre, drew inspiration from his medical background to create the character of Dr. Thorndyke. His commitment to accuracy and logic is evident in the intricate plots and scientific methods depicted in the trilogy. Freeman's unique perspective as both a doctor and a writer adds depth and authenticity to the mysteries he crafted. I highly recommend 'The Dr. Thorndyke Trilogy' to readers who enjoy classic detective stories with a scientific twist. Freeman's expert blend of forensic science and mystery will keep you engaged from the first page to the last, making this collection a must-read for anyone fascinated by the intersection of science and sleuthing.

The Science of Murder

2022-05-31
The Science of Murder

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  • Author: Carla Valentine
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
  • ISBN: 1728251869
  • Category : True Crime
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 353

Discover the science of forensics through Agatha Christie's novels in the ultimate true crime investigation Agatha Christie is the bestselling novelist of all time, and nearly every story she ever wrote involves one—or, more commonly, several—dead bodies. And the cause of death, the motives behind violent crimes, the clues that inevitably are left behind, and the people who put the pieces together to solve the mystery invite the reader to analyze the evidence and race to find the answer before the detective does. Nearly every step of the way, Christie outlines the nuts and bolts of early 20th-century crime detection, relying on physical evidence to tell the real story behind the facades humans erect to escape detection. Christie wouldn't have talked of "forensics" as it is understood today—most of her work predates the modern developments of forensics science—but in each tale she harnesses the power of human observation, ingenuity, and scientific developments of the era. A fascinating, science-based deep dive, The Science of Murder examines the use of fingerprints, firearms, handwriting, blood spatter analysis, toxicology, and more in Christie's beloved works. What readers are saying: "Highly entertaining with many fascinating snippets of insider information about real life criminal cases. This is a must for Christie fans." "Thoroughly researched and a delight to read!" "A wealth of information and knowledge to help give an insight to the golden age of crime fiction." "Absolutely brilliant book that looks at how Agatha Christie made use of developments in forensic science in her novels and upgraded her understanding over time." "Agatha Christie is one of my favorite authors, unparalleled in her clever plots and twisting tales. She was also a forensic expert, weaving into her novels human observation, ingenuity and genuine science of the era. This book illuminates all of Agatha's incredible knowledge, showing how she stayed at the cutting edge of forensic knowledge, as seen through her much loved characters."

Key Concepts in Crime Fiction

2011-08-31
Key Concepts in Crime Fiction

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  • Author: Heather Worthington
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • ISBN: 023034433X
  • Category : Study Aids
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 240

An insight into a popular yet complex genre that has developed over the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The volume explores the contemporary anxieties to which crime fiction responds, along with society's changing conceptions of crime and criminality. The book covers texts, contexts and criticism in an accessible and user-friendly format.

A History of Forensic Science

2015-11-19
A History of Forensic Science

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  • Author: Alison Adam
  • Publisher: Routledge
  • ISBN: 1135005583
  • Category : Social Science
  • Languages : en
  • Pages : 264

How and when did forensic science originate in the UK? This question demands our attention because our understanding of present-day forensic science is vastly enriched through gaining an appreciation of what went before. A History of Forensic Science is the first book to consider the wide spectrum of influences which went into creating the discipline in Britain in the first part of the twentieth century. This book offers a history of the development of forensic sciences, centred on the UK, but with consideration of continental and colonial influences, from around 1880 to approximately 1940. This period was central to the formation of a separate discipline of forensic science with a distinct professional identity and this book charts the strategies of the new forensic scientists to gain an authoritative voice in the courtroom and to forge a professional identity in the space between forensic medicine, scientific policing, and independent expert witnessing. In so doing, it improves our understanding of how forensic science developed as it did. This book is essential reading for academics and students engaged in the study of criminology, the history of forensic science, science and technology studies and the history of policing.