Best Forensic Science Law Books of 2025

People vs. Donald Trump is an inside account of the attempt to prosecute former president Donald Trump, written by Mark Pomerantz, one of the lawyers who worked on the case. Pomerantz investigated Trump's world and gathered enough evidence to support the view that he should be indicted for a number of financial crimes. This book explains why that never happened. The investigation led to the indictment of the Trump Organization and its CFO, but that was just the prelude to a larger criminal case. This book is a fascinating and informative read for anyone interested in the legal battles surrounding the former president.

Vanished in Vermillion is a well-researched and compelling read that delves into the biggest law enforcement embarrassment in South Dakota history. Lou Raguse's storytelling and investigative skills give readers a front-row seat as he unravels this bizarre case, chock-full of twists and turns. The book is a detailed account of the heartbreaking disappearance of two teenage girls in rural South Dakota in 1971, a case that went unsolved for more than four decades. Readers who enjoy procedural true crime and cold-case true crime will appreciate the linear narrative and forensic storytelling. Overall, Vanished in Vermillion is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts.

Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases is a memoir written by Paul Holes, the detective who found the Golden State Killer. This instant New York Times bestseller is a gripping and emotional account of Holes' career and the toll it took on his personal life. He reflects on the sacrifices he made to catch some of the most notorious killers of the twenty-first century and the impact it had on his relationships and fatherhood. Holes' writing style is raw and honest, making this book a unique and captivating read for true crime enthusiasts.

The Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death is a fascinating book that explores the work of Frances Glessner Lee, a wealthy grandmother who built dollhouse crime scenes based on real cases to train detectives in assessing visual evidence. The book includes lush color photographs of the eighteen Nutshell dioramas, which display an astounding level of detail and reveal tales of prostitution, alcoholism, and adultery. Corinne May Botz's introductory essay presents a captivating portrait of Lee, and the accompanying line drawings highlight noteworthy forensic evidence in each case. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in forensics, crime investigation, or dollhouses.

True Crime Case Histories - Books 1, 2 & 3: 32 Disturbing True Crime Stories is a three-book collection that delves into the gruesome details of 32 true crime cases. The author does not shy away from describing the horrific crimes in detail, making it a must-read for true crime enthusiasts who are not faint-hearted. The stories include the Canal Killer, the Head in the Bucket, and the Arizona Torso Killer. The collection is available for $22.76, 33% off the original price.

The book "Forensics: What Bugs, Burns, Prints, DNA, and More Tell Us About Crime" by Val McDermid is a fascinating exploration of the history of forensic science and the people behind it. McDermid draws on original interviews and firsthand experience to reveal how forensic scientists use the messages left by a corpse, a crime scene, or the faintest of human traces to help serve justice. The book covers themes such as fire scene investigation, toxicology, fingerprinting, DNA and blood splatter, and facial reconstruction. The author's attention to detail and highly visual descriptions make this book an excellent read for anyone interested in forensic science.

The fifth edition of Spitz and Fisher's Medicolegal Investigation of Death: Guidelines for the Application of Pathology to Crime Investigation is not just a new edition but a different book. This edition emphasizes trauma and wound analysis, including death during restraint, conscious pain and suffering and new concepts related to the interpretation of injuries by detailed wound analysis. The book includes over 600 case reports and hundreds of color photographs. This book will help readers understand the details of injuries and how they can shed new light on a case. It is a unique treatise and source of information.

The Killer Across the Table by John Douglas is a captivating true crime book that explores the lives and crimes of four of the most notorious predators and serial killers in American history. Douglas, the legendary FBI criminal profiler, delves deep into his profiling process and divulges the strategies he used to crack America's most challenging cases. The book is centered around Douglas' unique interrogation and profiling process, and he returns to other famous cases, killers, and interviews that have shaped his career. Overall, The Killer Across the Table is a must-read for true crime fans and anyone interested in criminal psychology.

The Temperance Brennan Series 18 Books Collection Set is a must-have for fans of forensic science and law books. Written by Kathy Reichs, the series follows the adventures of Dr. Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist who solves crimes using her expertise in bones and human remains. The collection includes the first three series of the Temperance Brennan books, totaling 18 volumes. The books are well-written and packed with suspense, making them hard to put down. The author's extensive knowledge in forensic science and her experience as a forensic anthropologist add a unique touch to the series. Overall, this collection is highly recommended for anyone interested in the genre.

The Human Bone Manual by Tim White and Pieter Folkens is an essential tool for forensic scientists, anthropologists, and researchers who deal with skeletal remains. This book contains hundreds of photographs that provide a maximum amount of anatomical information for identification purposes. The manual is concise, well-written, and has a thorough review of all major methods, including excavation, laboratory care, aging, and sexing. It is an excellent resource for archaeologists, palaeontologists, and forensic anthropologists. In summary, The Human Bone Manual is a highly recommended guide to all the fundamentals of osteoanthropology that presents clear and instructive presentations of fundamental human anatomy.