With over 6,000 cases to his credit, it is little wonder that Dr. Lee has earned the respect of the law enforcement community. Called in to act as a consultant for several high profile investigations such as the Scott Peterson trial and the disappearance of Elizabeth Smart, both of which are covered at length in this latest book, Dr Lee provides an in depth look at the often messy side of detective work. The descriptions of investigative practices and what happens during the trial phase when there are lapses in proper procedure are telling as Lee demonstrates how it only takes the tiniest of detail to cast enough doubt to make or break a case.
Although the two lead cases are covered in considerable detail, little new information is brought to light here. Interest comes primarily from the investigative procedures and the steps followed as the cases were developed and brought to trial. It is the lesser-known cases that carry this book as one learns how blood splatter patterns differ and what to infer from them as shown in the Michael Peterson case. Michael was accused in the beating death of his wife Kathleen after she was discovered bloody and dead at the foot of the stairs. Despite his insistence that she must have slipped and fallen detectives on the case weren’t buying it. Massive quantities of blood, extensive patterning on the walls, blood on Michael’s clothing and perhaps most damning was a prior incidence of a woman he knew dying as the result of a stair fall cast serious doubt on his story.
Without question, the Myers/Fontanille case is the most interesting as it outlines a convoluted tale of two men savagely murdering Myer’s wife Janet. When questioned, both men gave the same accounting up to who actually committed the murder at which point each blamed the other. It will take serious work to unravel the chain of events that determines who is responsible.
Following Lee’s investigations makes for a fascinating peek at the importance of forensic science and how the judicial system sometimes gets it wrong despite expert testimony and evidence. Although some of the material will disturb queasy stomachs and parts read a little like forensics primer, this is a generally well written look at true crime investigation.
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