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Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals

By: Elizabeth A. Murray, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Elizabeth A. Murray
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Publisher's Summary

Modern history is filled with terrible crimes, baffling hoaxes, and seedy scandals. The infamous Jack the Ripper slayings. The alleged survival of Anastasia Romanov, the youngest daughter of the murdered Tsar. Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong's public fall from grace. The Chicago Tylenol poisonings and the copycat crimes that followed.

Step into the world of forensic science and study the most fascinating crimes and mysteries from the last two centuries in the 24 lectures of Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals. Professor Murray, a forensic anthropologist with nearly 30 years of experience in the field, has crafted lectures that are a remarkable blend of storytelling and science - a whirlwind tour that takes you from the gas-lit streets of Victorian London to small-town America. As you journey around the world and into the past, you'll re-examine modern history's great crimes and scandals using the tools and insights of forensic science. In doing so, you'll learn how cutting-edge advancements in science and technology are applied to investigations and how to evaluate evidence and think like a forensic scientist.

Using her extensive background in the field and her skill at weaving riveting stories, Professor Murray invites you peer over the shoulders of investigators as they examine some of the most famous crimes in history, as well as cases that shed light on what happens when the justice system goes awry. Whether they're controversial or by-the-book, solved or unsolved, hot or cold, these cases are an opportunity to gain deeper insight into the historic and cutting-edge methods and tools forensic scientists use on the job. Having participated in hundreds of investigations in America and abroad, Professor Murray intersperses these historical examinations with some of her own, equally intriguing, personal experiences.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2014 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2014 The Great Courses

What listeners say about Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting perspectives on known cases and issues

This series presents a lot of material which has been covered many times but does so with a focus on forensic analysis. It’s really interesting and adds new ideas and thinking. The narration isn’t great but not bad enough to detract from the experience.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

History Wikipedia Articles + TV CSI

Pretty much Wikipedia articles read to you. No detail added to the stories "Imagine if they had DNA analysis during the time of Jack the Ripper", "The technology didn't exist to detect gun powder residue at the time".

The narrator stumbles over words occasionally which is more of a production issue because they didn't go back and do another take.

If I paid for this course at University I would be wanting my money back.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting!

This course will give great insight to the ways people have been caught but unfortunately also highlight the awful evils people can commit in this world. Not everyone gets caught but we’re getting better

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • SJ
  • 31-10-2022

thorough & comprehensive

This was better than I expected it to be. it was quite long but it held my attention the whole time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I certainly did enjoy it.

A very informative 'behind the scene' look at SO much relating to crime. These are great stories along with a fascinating look at historical events and inventions which assist crime fighting. The narration is very pleasant. I will listen again.

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  • Overall
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Binged

Fascinating insight and loads of unique stories. I listened to the whole thing in one day, I just could not turn it off.
Some cases discussed are well known and nicely summarised along with things I had never heard about such as Human Rights Anthropology.
Absolutely loved it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book/course

What an interesting listen! The variety of topics and cases covered is brilliant and the narration by the doctor is engaging and clear. Definitely recommend to anyone interested in forensic science, anthropology, or even just true crime.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent quality and so easy to listen to

These lectures are I formative but not too dense. It is just right for the Kay man to increase knowledge without feeling overwhelmed.

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

amazing

For anyone new to forensic investigation this is a fascinating introduction to a constantly evolving area of knowledge.
As much as I was appalled by the kind of low life criminals that come to the attention of forensic scientists, there was something so heartwarming in this discussion re the examination of how science is employed to solve crimes that would otherwise go unsolved. I loved the search for justice that goes into this pursuit, and the positive outcome being that for each low life who destroys other people's lives and liberty, there are a hundred others who are working to defeat such ghastliness. There is undoubtedly a human element of intuition and dedication that comes into this field as well, although we are given examples of where such input can cause the search for truth and justice to go awry.
Elizabeth Murray has a lovely voice, and is obviously passionate about her subject. She employs many fascinating anecdotes to illustrate the depth and breadth of forensic knowledge and its application.
Some of these stories come from her own direct involvement involvement is cases. I found audiobook to be well worth the investment, and plan to review it again at some stage.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great Course. Sometimes.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

It's hard - the book covered many different areas and i found some engaging, riveting even... and some not so. It would be different for each listener I suspect

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Probably the more grisly ones, the murders and serial killer chapters. The fraud and espionage lectures weren't really my thing.

What aspect of Professor Elizabeth A. Murray’s performance might you have changed?

The Professor was great, I just wasn't as excited by some of the topics as she was

Was Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals worth the listening time?

Half yes, half no... but that was my personal judgement. If you're a fan of espionage and fraud cases then you'll get a lot more out of the second half than I did.

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