Bodies of Evidence: How Forensic Science Solves Crimes by Brian Innes and Lucy Doncaster is a well-illustrated overview of the topic. The explanations go just below surface level without becoming a really detailed science book. I rounded this one up because I think they found just the right mix of interesting explanation, good example cases, and excellent illustrations.

In addition to a couple of courses (MOOCs) and plenty of the popular books on forensics, I've also read through a couple of textbooks (they often went over my head) so part of my interest here was in finding out where this book fell in that spectrum. While thankfully not into the realm of a textbook it does offer enough detail to give some of the science behind each technique. By combining that with short case studies we see how the science is applied in real world situations. What I came away with is the opinion that this makes an excellent single, or at least initial, source for most nonexperts. If you just want one book in your library on the topic for when you want to better understand something, this would make an excellent volume.

The main thing I think would make this better would be a short bibliography, or very short ones at the end of each chapter. In reading the book you get plenty of names and keywords to search for yourself, but still. I don't think an extensive one would have been necessary, maybe a couple major texts for each technique or method plus a few other good overall forensic texts.

I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in forensics, whether through television and movies, novels, true crime, or even as a potential career choice. As either an overview for the casual reader or a jumping off point for more research, this is a handy volume to have in your library. If you're like me this would also make a good coffee table (or end table) book, and definitely one to leave out at your next book group meeting if you're reading anything with crime in it.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )

This was an informative read. I learned a lot of things about forensic examinations. The book covered a wide variety of subjects. All were presented in a clear, easily read manner, which is a treat, because it would be so easy to really overwhelm someone with the science. Each section was interspersed with actual case histories pertaining to the chapter subject. These were very interesting.
All in all, if you are a crime buff who loves shows like CSI, this would be a great read for you. ( )