Book Review: Shocking Cases From Dr. Henry Lee’s Forensic Files

• DOI: 10.1177/0734016810391734
• Published date: 01 September 2011
• Author: Allison Futterman
• Date: 01 September 2011
• Subject Matter: Book Reviews

of crime prevention and reduction, but that the implementation of community policing may be better

suited for reducing the fear of crime in communities and in improving public relations.

Yet, detracting from Sozer’s research and writing are significant issues of editing errors.

The book, unfortunately, is replete with typos, repetitive paragraphs, punctuation errors, inconsisten-

cies in the use of symbols (e.g., ‘‘$’’ vs. ‘‘dollar,’’ and ‘‘%’’ vs. ‘‘percent’’), and authors cited in

the text but not listed in the references (e.g., Tom Tyler). Additionally, the author distractingly uses

the word ‘‘utilize,’’ or its derivative, in excess of three dozen times throughout this slim volume.

In spite of theseweaknesses, however, Sozer’sbook is an uncomplicatedread and a satisfactory ref-

erence forresearchers taking a further lookat the effectiveness of communitypolicing, for criminal jus-

ticeprofessors who teach communitypolicing, and evenfor undergraduate criminaljustice studentswho

are striving to learn the basic ins-and-outs of research methods and data analysis. And, while Sozer’s

research maynot ‘‘close the book’’ on the impactof community policing on crime,it does, in one more

small way, make greatersense out of a complex and ever-evolving crimepolicy debate.

H. C. Lee and J. LaBriola

Shocking Cases From Dr. Henry Lee’s Forensic Files Amherst, NY:

Prometheus Books, 2010. 1, 264 pp. $26.00. ISBN 978-1-59102-775-1

Reviewed by: Allison Futterman, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC, USA

DOI: 10.1177/0734016810391734

World renowned forensic scientist, Dr. Henry Lee, in collaboration with Dr. Jerry LaBriola,

recounts several of his most fascinating criminal investigations in Shocking Cases from Dr. Henry

Lee’s Forensic Files. Dr. Lee astutely balances a narrative that is both accessible, yet replete with

scientific and forensic material. His plain spoken vernacular style allows the reader to comprehend

even the most technical details that are integral to each case.

Shocking cases is comprised of five chapters, each of which examines a different case from Dr.

Lee’s career. Although varied in many ways, the cases share the commonality of being complex and

challenging. Chapters follow a similar structure in which background information is provided, an

overview of the incident is presented and ending with the resolution of the matter in question.

Throughout the book, extensive information is provided as it pertains to physical evidence,

autopsy results, crime scene descriptions, and DNA findings. However, Shocking Cases from

Dr. Henry Lee’s Forensic Files is not dry, mechanical reading. We learn about the individuals

central to these cases both victims and suspects. There are also several color and black and white

photographs relating to the crimes.

Included in each chapter are extended discussions on specific topics of interest, referred to as

‘‘sidebars.’’ These sidebars offer an expanded look at topics such as gunshot pattern residue analysis,

classification of sociopathic versus psychotic personalities, DNA analysis, and a primer on the dif-

ferent types of stab wounds. The information conveyed in the sidebars is not only informative and

edifying but engrossing as well.

The firstand probably mostsensational case was thatinvolving music producerPhil Spector,charged

with the murder of struggling actress Lana Clarkson. At trial, Dr. Lee testified for the defense and

explained what evidence he believed allowed for the possibility of suicide, ratherthan murder.

Dr. Lee discusses specifically the accusations that were made against him during the trial and

expounds somewhat further on the general issues raised about defense expert witnesses.

He takes us through first trial and the retrial. Dr. Lee suggests that the case was although possibly

legally proved ‘‘beyond a reasonable doubt,’’ it may have not been so scientifically.

362 Criminal Justice Review 36(3)