The forensic historian : using science to reexamine the past / / Robert C. Williams

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910960842903321
• Autore: Williams Robert Chadwell <1938-, >
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: London ; ; New York : , : Routledge, , 2015
• ISBN: 1-317-45679-3; 0-7656-3662-X; 1-317-45680-7; 1-315-69975-3
• Edizione: [1st ed.]
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (158 p.)
• Disciplina: 907.2
• Soggetti: Historiography - Methodology; Forensic sciences; World history
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: First published 2013 by M.E. Sharpe.
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• Nota di contenuto: 1. Introduction : scope of evidence -- 2. Faking it : chemistry and forgery -- 3. Atomic evidence -- 4. A question of identity : from bones to DNA fingerprinting -- 5. Not-so-cold cases -- 6. Conclusion : modern forensics and historical revision.
• Sommario/riassunto: Modern forensic science has significantly affected historical debate over some well-known past crimes or mysteries, utilizing modern DNA, nuclear, and chemical analyses to reexamine the past. This book takes an in-depth look at 20 significant cases where investigators have applied new forensic techniques to confirm, dispute, or revise accepted historical accounts. Among the cases included are the murder of King Tut, the validity of the Vinland Map, the authenticity of the Hitler diaries, Joan of Arc's ashes, the bones of Anastasia, arsenic and the death of Napoleon, and the dating of the Shrou