E. J. Wagner's marvelous piece in forensics is an excellent starting point for students in the science. For an amateur enthusiast the Sherlockian anecdotes are very supportive. However, as the book progresses, references to A. C. Doyle's possible sources of influence/inspirations become increasingly distracting. Without the Sherlockian angle, the book acts as a very weak reference book on historical Forensics. Nonetheless, the book is thoroughly researched and has many interesting information. A very good book for casual reading.

Basically, a history of forensic science with a few Holmes references thrown in, written by someone who clearly loves both. A fascinating and entertaining - if occasionally icky - read.

An excellent, interesting, well-written and researched, and entertaining look at the history of the science behind the great detective's forensic methods. Recommended.

This book wasn't exactly what I was expecting, which was disappointing at first, but I still really enjoyed it for what it was. It did definitely take me some time to get through it, though. There isn't as much about Sherlock Holmes as the title alludes to.
All in all, a very fun and informative read.

I'm not sure what I was expecting when picking this up, but it was a great change of pace. I've always enjoyed mystery novels set in Holmes' time, but hadn't really thought about the actual science behind any of it or how it had developed.

A fascinating and informative read. Shines a light on the forensic background to the Sherlock Holmes stories, with examples from real cases that may have influenced Conan Doyle, and the insights and misapprehensions of investigators at the time. I some ways, the police and scientists of the late Victorian/Edwardian era naturally drew the same correct conclusions that their contemporary counterparts would... but in other cases they were blundering in the dark without benefit of modern technology and discoveries.

Very enjoyable and readable, frequently enhanced by the author's dry wit.