While the Illustrated Guide to Home Forensic Science Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture is not a pure play information security book, it’s likely that anyone interested in information security will find this a fascinating read. 

The book is written for anyone, from responsible teenagers to adults who want to learn about forensic science by doing real, hands-on laboratory work. While the tools for professional forensics investigators can cost ten to hundreds of thousands of dollars; the authors note that a basic forensic kit is not that expensive and can be had for a about $250-.

The book has over 50 different experiments.  There are numerous experiments around testing soil samples, hair specimens, fibers and more.  Traditional crime scene forensics includes dusting and lifting for latent fingerprints.

There are also a number of forensic drug testing experiments include how to detect cocaine and methamphetamine on paper currency and analysis of drugs by chromatography.  Finally, there are a number of experiments on how to detect altered and forged documents via chromatography and other means.

The Illustrated Guide to Home Forensic Science Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture invites the reader to see if the forensic science on TV is anything like the real thing.  The book shows you have you can get a hands-on understanding to find out.

Even for those that decide not to do any of the experiments, the book is a fascinating read and provides an excellent introduction to forensic science.

The book definitely has a cool factor to it and is different from anything available.

For the teenager, the Illustrated Guide to Home Forensic Science Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture is a great resource that will inspire and educate them, not numb their mind like a gratuitous video game.  For the adult, it may reveal the latent forensic scientist that was always within them.