Katherine Ramsland Books In Order

Heat Seekers Books In Order

  1. The Heat Seekers (2002)
  2. The Blood Hunters (2004)

Hearts of Darkness Books In Order

  1. The Ripper Letter (2016)
  2. Track the Ripper (2018)

Non fiction

  1. Engaging the Immediate (1989)
  2. Prism of the Night (1991)
  3. The Vampire Companion (1991)
  4. Art of Learning (1992)
  5. The Anne Rice Trivia Book (1994)
  6. The Witches’ Companion (1994)
  7. The Roquelaure Reader (1996)
  8. Quesadillas (1997)
  9. Dean Koontz : A Writer’s Biography (1997)
  10. Piercing the Darkness (1998)
  11. Bliss (2000)
  12. Forensic Science of CSI (2001)
  13. Cemetery Stories (2001)
  14. Ghost (2001)
  15. The Criminal Mind (2002)
  16. The Science of Vampires (2002)
  17. The Unknown Darkness (2003)
  18. The Science of Cold Case Files (2004)
  19. Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers (2005)
  20. A Voice for the Dead (2005)
  21. The Human Predator (2005)
  22. Inside the Minds of Serial Killers (2006)
  23. The C.S.I. Effect (2006)
  24. Inside the Minds of Health-Care Serial Killers (2007)
  25. Beating the Devil’s Game (2007)
  26. Bethlehem Ghosts (2007)
  27. Into the Devil’s Den (2008)
  28. True Stories of C.S.I. (2008)
  29. Murder in The Lehigh Valley (2008)
  30. The Devil’s Dozen (2009)
  31. The Real World of a Forensic Scientist (2009)
  32. Inside the Minds of Sexual Predators (2009)
  33. The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds (2010)
  34. The Mind of a Murderer (2011)
  35. Snap (2012)
  36. Blood & Ghosts (2012)
  37. Haunted Crime Scenes (2014)
  38. The Murder Game (2014)
  39. Under the Light of the Moon (2014)
  40. Darkest Waters (2014)
  41. Darkest Waters (True Crime Box Set) (2014)
  42. Many Secrets, Many Graves (2014)
  43. Strangers in the Night (2014)
  44. The Grim Keeper (2015)
  45. Garden State Thrill Killers (2015)
  46. The Corridor Killer (2015)
  47. Crimes of the Century (2015)
  48. Shadows of Death (True Crime Box Set) (2015)
  49. Confession of a Serial Killer (2016)
  50. Dangerous Dozen (True Crime Box Set) (2017)
  51. Forensic Investigation (2017)
  52. The Psychology of Death Investigations (2017)
  53. Murder Alley (2017)
  54. Cold Blooded (2018)
  55. Heartland Horrors (True Crime Box Set) (2018)
  56. Heartless (2018)
  57. Spree Killers (2019)
  58. How to Catch a Killer (2020)

Heat Seekers Book Covers

Hearts of Darkness Book Covers

Non fiction Book Covers

Katherine Ramsland Books Overview

Prism of the Night

Now completely updated, here is the fascinating biography of the woman behind the most richly conceived ‘children of the night’ in the history of vampire literature. Includes new material on the writing of Lasher and the filming of Interview with the Vampire. 16 pages of photos.

The Vampire Companion

‘The meaning of The Vampire Chronicles is still unfolding for me, and is as much connected to God as to the Devil, as much connected to pleasure as to pain. That the books are entertainment seems a given, and for that I’m grateful. That they can be seen as a religious journey is also clear. I am immersed in the questions, and praying for the answers. Lestat, c’est moi. I want you to love all of my characters. I am, in the writing of these and other novels, as ambitious as Dickens. I want everybody to cry when Claudia dies, just like they did for Little Nell.’ Anne RiceFebruary 8, 1995Interview with the Vampire. The Vampire Lestat. The Queen of the Damned. The Talc of the Body Thief Memnoch the Devil. With her bestselling, epic saga, Anne Rice has reinvented the legend and literature of one of fiction’s most popular and captivating archetypes. Now, Katherine Ramsland, Anne Rice’s biographer, has completely revised and updated the ultimate reference guide to the world, history, and adventures of these haunting characters, from the unforgettable Lestat to Rice’s newest chilling creation, Memnoch the Devil. Written with the full cooperation of Anne Rice and now with more than 1,200 entries The Vampire Companion offers an insightful exploration, appreciation, and interpretation of all the characters and events, names and places, symbols and themes in the five volumes of The Vampire Chronicles, including more than one hundred pages of new entries on Rice’s latest vampire novel, Memnoch the Devil. Everything that readers might want to explore further is annotated and analyzed in this entertaining and enlightening work: the unforgettable characters of Louis, Lestat, Claudia, Akasha, Armand, and Memnoch; the important points of interest on Lestat’s fascinating tour through Heaven and Hell; ancient lore; Rice’s unique contributions to the mythos of vampires; the literary inspirations that echo through the novels; Rice’s own reflections and revelations about her work and about the movie Interview with the Vampire; and much more. Richly illustrated with new photos, drawings, maps, and a complete time line of events in The Chronicles, The Vampire Companion is as captivating as the phenomenal saga it explores. It is a guidebook that no visitor to the world of Anne Rice should be without.

The Witches’ Companion

‘The Mayfair family is a huge imaginative refuge for me; it is living and growing in my mind all the time.’ Anne RiceIn the spellbinding tradition of her bestselling The Vampire Chronicles, the prolific Anne Rice has created the sensuous saga of the Mayfair witches. Resonant with supernatural suspense, mesmerizing eroticism, and lush detail, The Witching Hour, Lasher, and Taltos have bewitched the imaginations of readers everywhere. Now comes the definitive touchstone guide to the history and mystery of this magnificent dynasty of witches. Just as she did with The Vampire Companion, biographer and Anne Rice authority Katherine Ramsland presents a fascinating A to Z encyclopedia of information, interpretation, and analysis this time devoted to the characters and key events, places and symbols, historical and mythological themes of the Lives of the Mayfair Witches novels. Created with the full cooperation of Anne Rice, The Witches’ Companion features detailed character breakdowns, from the present day enchantress Rowan Mayfair to the lustful spirit Lasher; a complete genealogy of the Mayfair family; a chronology of events; a guide to geographical locations; the intriguing origins of the Mayfairs’ extraordinary clan; revealing observations from Anne Rice herself; and much more. Illustrated throughout with hundreds of photos, drawings, and maps, The Witches’ Companion will be every Anne Rice fan’s inseparable companion in traveling through the unforgettable world of the Mayfair witches and their legacy.

The Roquelaure Reader

A comprehensive reference on Anne Rice’s erotic writings The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, Beauty’s Punishment, and Beauty’s Release includes a biographical discussion of Rice’s writing process, a concordance to the three novels, and other fascinating trivia.

Quesadillas

This book takes the popular quesadilla beyond cheese and jalapenos to tasty new frontiers. More than 100 appetizer, entree, and dessert recipes feature chicken, swordfish, shallots, pesto, mango, Brie, mozzarella, and dozens of other imaginative ingredients in delicious, original combinations.

Dean Koontz : A Writer’s Biography

From his troubled childhood to his beginnings as a struggling writer who would write anything for money to his dazzling success as a worldwide bestselling author, Dean Koontz has led a life as full of surprises as his fiction. Based on extensive interviews with Koontz and his family, friends and colleagues, this biography reveals the whole truth to his millions of readers. 16 page photo insert.

Piercing the Darkness

By day they are accountants, secretaries, lawyers. But by night, they transform into creatures of the darkness,purveyors of the surreal where flesh and fantasy meet.

They are vampires.

Going beyond the scariest imaginings of Anne Rice, clinicalpsychologist and journalist Katherine Ramsland takes youon a mesmerizing, personal tour deep inside the little knownyet growing ‘vampyre’ subculture that exists today in citieslike your own. Discover a society you never believed existed. Find out what these people do, and why they do it. Visitmembers only clubs where ‘liquid electricity’ blood isthe favored currency of intimate exchange, and share in’feeding circles.’ Meet lovers whose sex toys are razors andstraps and others who reject normality the way manydenounce the practices they hold sacred. You may thinkyou’ve seen or heard everything. You may even think you’reunshockable. You’re wrong.

Bliss

With a practical yet nurturing tone, author Katherine Ramsland guides readers through writing exercises that will help them find their ‘Bliss.’ They will realize the most fitting and authentic direction in their lives, along with anew sense of clarity and confidence. By developing a sense of their Bliss, they’ll be able to make more informed choices regarding career, life focuses and relationships. They’ll also learn to: recognize psychological obstacles impeding confidence; evaluate their values; create a personal skills inventory; develop their intuition; visualize and explore goals; develop mental flexibility; explore levels of awareness; achieve Bliss

Forensic Science of CSI

The CBS television show, ‘C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation,’ has captured audiences and ratings with its unflinchingly realistic details of forensic science, tools, and technology. This fascinating new book written by an acclaimed biographer with a master’s degree in forensic psychology goes behind the crime solving techniques dramatized on the TV show to examine the reality of these cutting edge procedures. From DNA typing and ballistics, to bitemark and blood pattern analysis, here are detailed accounts of the actual techniques used in today’s crime investigations. Prominent experts in the field offer rare glimpses into cases ranging from missing persons to murder. For fans of the television show, as well as true crime buffs and science readers this is the real thing. ‘With the mind of a true investigator, Katherine Ramsland demystifies the world of forensics with authentic and vivid detail.’ John Douglas ‘Fascinating…
this book is a must for anyone who wonders how the real crime solvers do it.’ Michael Palmer, New York Times bestselling author of The Patient.

Cemetery Stories

Never look at a grave the same way again Admit it: You’re fascinated by cemeteries. We all die, and for most of us, a cemetery is our final resting place. But how many people really know what goes on inside, around, and beyond them?Enter the world of the dead as Katherine Ramsland talks to mortuary assistants, gravediggers, funeral home owners, and more, and find out about:Stitching and cosmetic secrets used on mutilated bodiesEmbalmers who do more than just embalmThe rising popularity of cremation artGhosts that infest graveyards everywhereIf you’ve ever scoffed at the high price of burying the dead, or ever wondered how your loved ones are handled when they die, or simply stared at tombstones with morbid fascination, then take a trip with Katherine Ramsland and learn about the booming industry and strange tales that surround cemeteries everywhere.

Ghost

With the same open and personal style that won her much praise for Piercing the Darkness, bestselling author Katherine Ramsland turns her keen and curious eye to the phenomena of Ghosts to uncover the truth behind a number of supernatural ‘sightings’. Ramsland’s extraordinary investigative memoir takes readers directly into the world of Ghost hunting and paranormal activity, offering an unflinching account of this mysterious world. On the track of an authentic ‘haunting,’ Ramsland encounters psychics, shamans, voodoo practitioners, and high tech Ghost hunters eager to reveal how to contact spirits. But through her own daring experiments, Ramsland is able to penetrate the supernatural mystery that has inspired paranormal investigations worldwide.

The Criminal Mind

This book corrects common media misconceptions about the nature of the criminal psyche in order to help writers create more credible and convincing characters. The Criminal Mind examines the fundamentals of psychology and law, theories of criminality, and character disorders that can lead to criminal behaviour. Writers will learn how criminals think and how forensic psychology is used to catch them. Katherine Ramsland also explores the legal process, including psychological evaluations, lie detection, insanity pleas and the treatment of criminals and victims.

The Science of Vampires

The concept of the vampire has evolved from Bram Stoker’s supernatural creature of the night to the pop culture anti hero of today’s TV shows, hit movies, and bestselling novels. Where were these legends born? In what ways have they evolved? How much is actually true? This revealing book answers these questions and more: Are any vampire myths based on fact? What is Vampire Personality Disorder? What is the polysexual world of the vampire? Could a vampire hide in today’s advanced world of forensic science? What happens to the brain of the vampire’s victim? Based on fascinating interviews with forensic experts, creative artists, and real life bloodsuckers, this is a vampire book like no other.

The Unknown Darkness

From one of the country’s most preeminent criminal profilers comes this gripping, behind the scenes account of America’s most disturbing and complex serial killer and murder investigations. A former Supervisory Special Agent in the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, Gregg McCrary takes us deep into the minds of the nation’s shrewdest and most sinister predators. In The Unknown Darkness, he digs beneath the crime scene to examine in raw first person detail the lethal competition between the country’s deviously dangerous killers and the dedicated professionals who are determined to get them off the streets. In the baseme*nt offices of the FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia now familiar from the books and films The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal McCrary served in one of the most elite forces for criminal investigation in the world, profiling criminals for over twenty five years in more than a thousand cases involving homicide, serial murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault. He takes us inside his process on some of his most fascinating cases, including: The Sam Sheppard case In revisiting this classic case, what new material did McCrary’s analysis discover? The Poet’s Shadow The strange story of Jack Unterweger and the hunt for an international serial killer that had a bizarre twist. The Buddhist Temple Massacre What did the crime scene reveal about the shocking evil that resulted in the deaths of nine gentle people? The Unknown Darkness also explores the strengths and pitfalls of modern criminal investigation and offers vivid details about what happens at a crime scene, what is actually involved in bringing a killer to justice, and finally what kind of a person is able to devote his or her life to grappling with the predators among us. Daring to relive the often harrowing experiences of his time with the FBI, McCrary has put together an eye opening account of ten of America’s most frightening and riveting manhunts. He has also written an engrossing narrative on our justice system from the perspective of someone who has lived it day to day.

The Science of Cold Case Files

COLD CASE:
An inexplicable death is ruled to be an unfortunate accident until authorities link it to the broken bones of a kidnap victim years later.

COLD CASE:
A braid is found belonging to a woman missing for 18 years how can it solve the mystery of her disappearance?

The Science of Cold Case Filesr reveals the absorbing true stories behind the pioneering A&E television series, and the intrepid detectives whose investigations resulted in the resolution of the most baffling of crimes sometimes decades after they were committed.

From handwriting analysis, facial reconstruction, fingerprints and K 9 detectives, state of the art DNA technology, and old fashioned perseverance and police work, here is a detailed look at the methods used in forensic detection. Featuring the most fascinating Cold Case Filesr on record, some of these cases have never been seen on television. Plus, this book offers an inside look at the intriguing clues found in cases that remain unsolved to this day.

Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers

The idea that a person might suddenly snap and slaughter large numbers of people has become part of our cultural understanding through events such as the Columbine High School massacre and the D.C. Sniper case. But this image of the sudden turn from ordinary citizen, quiet neighbor, or non descript teenager to mass murderer is generally false. People who go out one day and kill innocent people or supposed enemies have typically thought about it, planned it, and even mentioned it to others before they actually do it and the act is usually the result of a buildup of stress and frustration. Here, Katherine Ramsland, a seasoned crime writer, examines true stories of mass murder and reveals the complexity behind the development of a mass killer. She provides common signals, based on actual cases, that will help readers identify warning signs and understand the various psychological factors that may lead a person to kill.

Since the first recorded U.S. case of mass murder in 1949, massacres have been increasing each decade, with workplace violence taking the lead as the most common form. The psychology of the killers, however, differs from that of spree, serial, or situational murderers. The red flags of a developing mass killer are obvious and predictable, Ramsland argues, and people who learn to recognize them may be able to defuse a potentially violent situation before it occurs. Using details from various cases, the author examines the different kinds of mass murders, from visionary to family to workplace, and the distinct psychological dynamics of the different types of murders. This essential book exposes the inner world of mass murderers and dismantles the stereotypes we hold about them.

A Voice for the Dead

With the help of cutting edge technology as well as his unique expertise in forensic science, James E. Starrs goesbehind the scenes in a passionate and fascinating pursuit of the answers to such questions as: Was Albert DeSalvo really the Boston Strangler? What was revealed in the excavation of the victims of cannibal Albert Packer? What is the mystery behind the assassination of Huey Long? Who is actually buried in Jesse James’s grave? Starrs sets the record straight on these and other cold cases, to deliver the final and true verdict.

The Human Predator

From ancient Rome through the Dark Ages to the burgeoning West to the open highways of urban America, from the unconscionable exploits of French religious zealot Gilles de Rais to such all American monsters as Jeffrey Dahmer and Aileen Wournos, Katherine Ramsland makes an eye opening case for the existence of serial killers throughout time, and offers a complete chronological record of the serial killer phenomenon as well as the parallel development of psychology, forensic science, and FBI profiling in the serial killer’s evolving manifestation throughout human history.

Inside the Minds of Serial Killers

There are many cultural myths about serial killers, often propagated even by mental health professionals. Many assume there is a profile of a serial killer, that serial killers always go for the same victim type or always use the same MO, that they are more clever than ordinary people, and that they are inevitably charming and attractive. The truth is not as simple as that. There are different types of serial killers, and while there are many books that discuss the serial killer phenomenon especially in relationship to victim types or context, researchers have not yet been able to come up with a definition, or type, that covers the broad spectrum of serial killers and their complex psychological dynamics. Ramsland looks at the variety of serial killer types, illustrating that it is difficult to accurately depict these elusive, intriguing, and dangerous killers. There are many cultural myths about serial killers, often propagated even by mental health professionals. Many assume there is a profile of a serial killer, that serial killers always go for the same victim type or always use the same MO, that they are more clever than ordinary people, and that they are inevitably charming and attractive. The truth is not as simple as that. There are different types of serial killers and while there are many books that discuss the serial killer phenomenon especially in relationship to victim types or context, researchers have not yet been able to come up with a definition, or type, that covers the broad spectrum of serial killers and their complex psychological dynamics. Ramsland looks at serial killer types, illustrating that it is difficult to accurately depict these elusive, intriguing, and dangerous killers. This book examines a variety of serial killers, from sexual predators to psychotic killers, from murder teams to odd eccentric stalkers, in order to present the distinct psychological dynamics that set serial killers apart from other violent murderers. Among the motives addressed are lust, control, glory, profit, thrill, delusions, rage, the desire for company, the need to please a partner, and even murder as an intellectual exercise. Serial killers live double lives, hiding their violence even from those who live with them, so along with a study of motives are chapters devoted to how close associates have described killers, including parents, siblings, co workers, lovers, and survivors. There is no profile of a serial killer, and this book establishes that in vivid and frightening detail.

The C.S.I. Effect

Fascinating in depth forensics from the author of The Forensic Science of C.S.I.

How do investigators get from crime to conviction?

For the astonishing answer, Ramsland covers the latest cutting edge techniques in crime scene investigation. Inspired by episodes from the factbased C.S.I. television franchise, she illustrates the use of computers and toxicology in forensics, explores interrogation strategies, and revisits history’s most notorious crimes. And in considering the shows’ locales Las Vegas, New York, and Miami Ramsland divulges ways in which crimes are dependent on location, climate, and population and discloses ways of solving them in the twenty first century.

NOTE: This book was not authorized, prepared, approved, licensed, or endorsed by any entity involved in creating or producing the C.S.I. television series.

Inside the Minds of Health-Care Serial Killers

In 2004, Charles Cullen was arrested and charged in the deaths of more than 30 patients in his care. Crossing several jurisdictions in seven counties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, he was stopped after a fifteen year spree at ten institutions. While many people do not think of healthcare workers as serial killers, their profession is disproportionately represented among the serial killer population, and they tend to be more prolific than other serial killers, having more opportunities, better cover, and easy alibis. Healthcare professionals who kill have learned how to exploit the atmosphere of trust in the healthcare community and to hasten deaths that may go unnoticed in an already vulnerable arena. This book delves into the world of the healthcare serial killer, looking at the special characteristics of the different groups of murderers, the motives, the methods, and the outcomes.

Crime specialists have long suspected that many healthcare serial killers have gone undetected. Because it is easier to cover up their crimes, it is harder to uncover that a crime has even been committed. Here, Ramsland identifies some of the warning signs that a serial killer may be on the loose in a healthcare setting. Further, she offers suggestions for reform in the healthcare and criminal justice communities that would help identify potential killers before they have a chance to strike, or strike again. Using numerous real life cases in every chapter, she provides a fuller picture of this most deadly type of serial killer and helps readers understand how they work, and how they can be stopped.

Beating the Devil’s Game

An authoritative history of forensic science and the evolution of criminal investigation, from the author of The Forensic Science of C.S.I. and The Human Predator.

Today, the basic scientific precepts of criminal investigation fingerprinting, DNA, ballistics, and more are widely known among professionals and lay people alike. But behind each of these now commonplace concepts is a compelling story of the evolution of science and law, spearheaded by innovative thinkers, many of whom risked their careers and reputations for the sake of justice. Dr. Katherine Ramsland traces that development from thirteenth century Chinese studies of decomposition rates through the flowering of science during the Renaissance, up to the marvels of the present day and beyond.

Bethlehem Ghosts

Katherine Ramsland and Dana DeVito have taken their mutual love of a good ghost story and produced an entertaining and educational perspective of the city of Bethlehem, Pennyslvania.

Bethlehem Ghosts first introduces the reader to the history of, and the authors’ theories concerning, ghosts, the paranormal, and ‘ghosting.’ Then, take a ghostly stroll down Main Street in the town founded by the Moravians. Tales of haunted hotels, inns, restaurants, and cemeteries, are guaranteed to send a chill down your spine.

Into the Devil’s Den

In 1996, the Aryan Nations was considered to be the most dangerous white supremacist group in the United States. This brutally violent neo Na*zi organization dreamed of carving an isolated homeland out of the American northwest a dream they would finance by robbery, intimidation, and murder. For years, the FBI had sought to infiltrate the Aryan Nations, only to be thwarted by the group’s extreme paranoia of new members.

Enter Dave Hall, a tattooed, 350 pound, six foot four former biker. A black belt in martial arts, he could fight, drink, and ride with the best which is to say, the worst of them. But Hall was no stereotypical biker. A thoughtful, articulate man blessed with a photographic memory and an unshakeable core of decency, Hall was looking for a new direction in life. After Hall was arrested for his minor involvement in a drug deal, FBI special agent Tym Burkey gave him a choice: go to jail or become an informant. Hall didn t go to jail.

So began a most unlikely partnership, between a hell raising former biker and a by the book FBI man. The oddest of odd couples, they would slowly forge a unique friendship based on trust and support a friendship that Hall especially would come to value in the months and years ahead.

For what was supposed to be a short term assignment grew to something much longer, and bigger in scope, as Hall became the Ohio Aryan Nations leader s right hand man. And more and more, Hall suspected that a significant terrorist action was being planned, something on the order of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Yet with the clock ticking, Hall found his hold on reality crumbling as he was forced into behaviors and beliefs that repelled him. With the ever present threat of discovery and death hanging over his head, he felt his psyche start to fragment, leading to estrangement from his family and friends, and vicious bouts of insomnia, night terrors, and panic attacks. But it was too late to back out. Together, Hall and Burkey would have to finish their dance with the Devil.

Harrowing and intense, this true life thriller is a testament to bravery, dedication, and friendship and a timely reminder that America s homegrown terrorists can be just as deadly as those from overseas.

True Stories of C.S.I.

The bestselling forensic psychologist examines the true crimes that inspired the television smash hit, C.S.I. Katherine Ramsland follows the evidence and revisits some of the most absorbing episodes of the phenomenally popular C.S.I. television franchise, and explores the real life crimes that inspired them. She also looks into the authenticity of the forensic investigations recreated for the dramatizations, and the painstaking real life forensic process employed in every one of the actual cases from notorious mass murderer Richard Speck, to the massacre of Buddhist monks in an Arizona Temple, to a baffling case of apparent spontaneous combustion.

Murder in The Lehigh Valley

As idyllic as Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley may be, there’s a dark side. Three serial killers, a mass murderer, and outright hits, along with high profile familicides and unusual domestic homicides. In the context of some of these incidents, Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek, with author Katherine Ramsland, describe what it’s like to be a death investigator in Lehigh Valley and detail some of its most infamous crimes.

The Devil’s Dozen

A forensics expert follows the historic evolution of CSI through a century of serial killers. ‘Katherine Ramsland has brilliantly captured the insights and drama of some fascinating cases’ Dr. Henry Lee in her previous bestselling books. Now she examines the case histories of twelve of the most notorious serial killers of the last one hundred years, and answers the questions: What clues did they leave behind? How were they eventually caught? How was each twist and turn of their crimes matched by the equally compelling weapons of science and logic? From exploring the nineteenth century’s earliest investigative tools to remarkable twenty first century CSI advances, The Devil’s Dozen provides a fascinating window into the world of those who kill and those who dedicate their lives to bringing them to justice.

The Real World of a Forensic Scientist

With the skyrocketing popularity of TV crime shows like ‘CSI’ and ‘CSI Miami’, interest in forensic science has reached unprecedented levels. However compelling these programs are as dramas, they spread many misconceptions about the real world of the forensic scientist. Students who wish to pursue a career in this field are often unaware of the many diverse career choices available or have superficial notions of the rigors involved. In this in depth insider’s guide to this crucial area of criminal investigation, renowned forensic scientist Henry C Lee, along with veteran forensic experts Elaine M Pagliaro and Katherine Ramsland, provides a realistic picture of the education, skills, challenges, and rewards involved in the many specialties that encompass forensic science. Each of these specialties plays a role in unraveling seemingly baffling crimes. The first part of the book highlights Dr. Lee’s personal story and forty year career to demonstrate how forensic science developed in the twentieth century and came to be recognized by the courts and law enforcement as a crucial approach to investigating crimes. Dr. Lee shares many interesting stories about his experiences and those of his colleagues, who were instrumental in developing forensic science laboratories in the United States. The second part focuses on careers in forensic science, illustrated by descriptions of high profile cases that required different forensic disciplines, including engineering, accounting, psychology, crime scene investigation, and DNA analysis. These cases also underscore the importance of forensic evidence in criminal and civil cases, national security, environmental protection, and public safety. The third part presents the various specialties in forensic science created by the American Academy of Forensic Science; describes the types of evidence generally analyzed in each area; and lays out the steps one should take to prepare for a career in a particular specialty. Also included is useful information about professional organizations, certification programs and requirements, laboratory opportunities, and university forensic science programs. For those who wish to pursue a career in forensic science or for anyone who is interested in how criminal investigation is really done, this book is a must read.

Inside the Minds of Sexual Predators

They are among the most frightening of all criminals, yet few have attempted to document the complex mindset of the sexual predator through intimate case details. Inside the Minds of Sexual Predators reexamines this intentional criminal behavior, describing the different types of sexual predators and explaining why they choose to commit their specific type of predatory acts. Each chapter of the book addresses a different category of predator or a specific, complex issue related to predatory behavior. Distinctions are drawn between types of offenders, from the casual offender to the depraved rapist and serial lust killer, and the variables that play a part in an individual’s sexual predation are explored. Like Ramsland’s Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers, this book is essential reading for professionals in law enforcement and psychology, as well as for everyone seeking to go beyond the headlines to understand this difficult and controversial topic.

The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds

The bestselling author of The Forensic Science of C.S.I. examines the real life cases behind the hit television series Criminal Minds Week after week, the hit TV show Criminal Minds gives viewers a look inside the psyches of the fictional serial killers tracked by the BAU Behavioral Analysis Unit. This elite team of FBI agents travels the country assisting law enforcement officials by examining the crime scene, ‘profiling’ the perpetrator, and aiding in arrest and interrogation. In this book Katherine Ramsland reveals how reality differs from fiction and how forensic psychologists actually use their knowledge of human behavior and motivations as consultants in criminal investigations as well as detailing the real cases that influenced some of Criminal Minds’s most memorable episodes.

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