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A review by carolpk
The Skeleton Crew: How Amateur Sleuths are Solving America's Coldest Cases by Deborah Halber
4.0
The subject matter of Deborah Halber's The skeleton crew : how amateur sleuths are solving America's coldest cases promised to make for an interesting read. I have always been a fan of cold case stories, both fact and fiction. Halber relates the quest to unearth identities of the remains of the unidentified, who might be thought missing but really are not any longer. It's a small distinction but a very important one.
Unlike many of the reviewers here I was not put off by the stories that were told. This is just as I expected. I wanted to get to know the who, the where, the when, and the why of their non-identity. That lay people with the use of the internet and other means would be so dedicated to give these bodies, bones, or even less a name and bring closure to families is fascinating and commendable. Some of the case studies go back as much as 50 years. To see the changes in forensics, and crime solving methods over time is also interesting. The numbers of professionals and volunteers trying to solve identity is amazing. Rather than all working towards a common goal politics and cyberbullying often rear their ugly heads. Thank heavens there were enough people willing to set ego aside to make a difference.
I did find the construction of Halber's book, the jumping around from story to story confusing. In the end I was able to sort these out but a more linear format might have been easier to follow.
I plan to browse some of the websites that have been constructed to identify the numbers of people that are still nameless. It sounds hard to believe that this can happen but it does. What is even more unimaginable is just how many cases go unidentified.
This is the kind of book that should send one on to further research or inquiry. I might begin by visiting Deborah Halber's Website
Unlike many of the reviewers here I was not put off by the stories that were told. This is just as I expected. I wanted to get to know the who, the where, the when, and the why of their non-identity. That lay people with the use of the internet and other means would be so dedicated to give these bodies, bones, or even less a name and bring closure to families is fascinating and commendable. Some of the case studies go back as much as 50 years. To see the changes in forensics, and crime solving methods over time is also interesting. The numbers of professionals and volunteers trying to solve identity is amazing. Rather than all working towards a common goal politics and cyberbullying often rear their ugly heads. Thank heavens there were enough people willing to set ego aside to make a difference.
I did find the construction of Halber's book, the jumping around from story to story confusing. In the end I was able to sort these out but a more linear format might have been easier to follow.
I plan to browse some of the websites that have been constructed to identify the numbers of people that are still nameless. It sounds hard to believe that this can happen but it does. What is even more unimaginable is just how many cases go unidentified.
This is the kind of book that should send one on to further research or inquiry. I might begin by visiting Deborah Halber's Website