BLOOD, BULLETS AND BONES

Blood, Bullets, and Bones is a is gritty and engrossing nonfiction book for teens and tweens about the history of forensic science. Blood, Bullets, and Bones is chock-full of amazing photos of crime scenes, famous killers and detectives, forensic science techniques, and more. It is going to be a very visual, compelling book.

Ever since the introduction of DNA testing, forensic science has been brought to the forefront of the public’s imagination, especially because of popular television shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. But in reality, forensic analysis has been practiced for thousands of years. Ancient Chinese detectives studied dead bodies for signs of foul play, and officials used crime scene photography and criminal profiling to investigate the Jack the Ripper murders. Since then, forensic science has evolved to use the most cutting-edge, innovative techniques and technologies.

In this book, acclaimed author Bridget Heos uses real-life case examples to tell the fascinating history of modern forensic science, from the first test for arsenic poisoning in the 1700s to fingerprinting, firearm and blood spatter analysis, DNA evidence, and all the important milestones in between. By turns captivating and shocking, Blood, Bullets, and Bones shows the essential role forensic science has played in our criminal justice system.

Crime scene television shows like “CSI” and its various spin-offs dominate the ratings charts, and more and more schools are adding forensic science to their curriculum and fielding CSI teams, competitions, and clubs. The time is ripe to publish a book on this topic. Most of the forensic science books that have been published for kids are activity or fact books. Bridget combines her engaging, often witty voice with a more narrative approach, using case studies to tell the story of modern forensic science.

Bridget Heos is the author of more than seventy nonfiction children’s titles, including Stronger Than Steel: Spider Silk DNA and the Quest for Better Bulletproof Vests, Sutures, and Parachute Rope, which was a Junior Library Guild selection, and It’s Getting Hot in Here: The Past, Present, and Future of Global Warming. She also wrote eight picture books, including the Children’s Choice Finalist Mustache Baby. Bridget lives in Kansas City with her husband and four children. You can visit her online at www.authorbridgetheos.com.