Cool Eyewitness Encounters

September 1, 2009
Gr 3-6-These books explain how crime-scene investigators use science to analyze evidence and thereby solve crimes, providing easy hands-on experiments to help young investigators get started. "Biological Clues" discusses gathering and examining evidence left by humans and animals. In "Crime Scene Basics", readers will become familiar with the tools used by investigators and how to set up a CSI kit, and learn techniques such as mapping the scene and measuring dimensions. "Eyewitness Encounters" covers interrogations, composite sketches, animal investigative techniques, and observation and memory skills. Each book contains the same 11-page overview of the field. The publisher includes links on their Web site for more information. Additional."Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2009
Grades 3-6 Middle-graders may be too young to be fans of thevarious televised CSIs, but theyve probably seen shows or news reportsor even bookswhere forensic evidence has led to the solution of crimes.For those whove had their interests piqued by forensic science, this book offers a good introduction as well as a few ways to have fun with forensics. The compact book, part of the Cool CSI series, begins withthe way crimes are initially analyzed and moves on tosimplifiedexplanations of the scientific method(observe, predict, test, conclude). Next, itson to experiments that test that method. Some of these are repetitive, revolving around observation and memory; regardless, kids in the intended age group should have fun with them (and adult help, when needed, is noted). A glossary concludes this sprightly illustrated and designed offering.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2009
These hands-on books clearly explain basic premises and techniques of crime scene investigators, then suggest simple ways to duplicate the processes, such as distinguishing among different kinds of pollen and testing people's memory of objects--all the while recording data in a notebook. Information is occasionally oversimplified, but the colorfully illustrated series will engage readers. Glos., ind.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)