Why Do the Lights Turn On? (Science in the Real World) Book

Television shows and movies often make the job of forensic science investigator seem more exotic and fast-paced than it actually is. While there are some glamorous parts to this career, as the author points out, it is a job that requires attention to detail and painstaking work. These men and women are the ones who collect evidence to try to determine cause of death and crack cases in the event of a crime. Most intriguing was the chapter about how challenging it can be for forensic science investigators to do their work after a huge disaster such as the tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, or the Twin Towers terrorist attack. As is the case in all books in this series, readers can learn more about this possible career as well as how to prepare for it by taking classes as well as noting the pluses and minuses to this kind of career. Stock photos are used throughout the book, mostly to make the point that this job requires patience and good observation skills.