Paul J. Ciolino is the investigator who saved Anthony Porter from the death penalty by securing a confession from the real killer. It follows that a book written by Mr. Ciolino and Grace Elting Castle would be excellent It is. This important book belongs in every investigator's office and in the libary of every courthouse.

The primary reason I took the time to read Advanced Forensic Criminal Investigations was because I am familiar with all of the authors, and felt an obligation to do so. I was also curious about what this book could possibly offer that hasn't been covered time and again in countless books, "hot-to" guides, articles and conferences. From start to finish, this book makes you feel as if each author is talking directly to you, educating you, taking you under his or her wing, so to speak.

Imagine if you could have a mentor, the opportunity to pick their brain, the chance to shadow an investigator who has an absolute understanding of the methods and techniques, and the ability to answer all of your questions. So many books, manuals and articles are chock full of "how-tos" and helpful hints, but the real heart of the matter is not explored. The authors provide the secrets, the insights, the total package from A to Z.

This book does not gloss over the subjects. It deals with all the aspects of the investigative steps, and provides relevant examples. This book also makes you think. I found myself contemplating the many options I should have explored in the past which were so clearly explained in each and every chapter. I recalled techniques I had forgotten, and learned so many more new ones. I got an insight into the way that other fellow professional investigators handle their investigations. I may never become an expert in the areas covered in the book, but I now have an understanding of the methods and sciences covered in this publication, an understanding that can only make me a better educated, and knowledgeable, professional investigator.

This book is broken down into fifteen (15) chapters, written by some of the best investigators in the country. All of the chapters are very well written, concise, informative and jam packed with the techniques, and insights of hundreds of years of investigative experience. I consider each and every chapter an individual tool in my investigator's bag of tools. This book is not overwhelming, or a hard read, but draws you in from start to finish, like a good novel. This is not a book that is once read and then used as a paper weight, or dust collector. Mine is on my desk, and I have and shall continue to refer to it often. There's a feeling you sometimes get when you finish a good novel, you want to tell your friends and share the experience with others. Few textbooks evoke that feeling. This one does.

Paul J. Ciolino & E. Castle have dedicated themselves to working for those who are unfortunate, wrongly convicted and incarcerated. Usually they are poor as well and unable to hire people to help them. As criminal defense investigators, they are not in the most popular of occupations. Against great odds they have enjoyed, or rather improperly convicted defendants have enjoyed, great successes. Thier most recent contribution, Advanced Forensic Criminal Defense Investigations, is a wonderful work, one both investigators and criminal defense lawyers will want in their library. The topics covered are important and the contributing authors have all done well.

Rarely is Something written that can fill a void on such an important subject matter where a void should never of exsisted to begin with as "ADVANCED FORENSIC CRIMINAL DEFENSE INVESTIGATIONS". This book should be required reading at every law school in America & by all attorneys and investigators in the practice of criminal law including all defendants, and anyone else who is interested in what really needs to be acomplished in a criminal case. If this book had been available to my then trial-counsel , I'd not be on death row in Illinois for a murder I was not only not at, but one that I did not commit! I surely would have had it read by everyone on my trial team. Now that the book is available evryone has no excuse to not get it, read it, & follow it. My life and many others to come will depend on it. Once I began reading it I could not put it down. I advise you to get it, read it, and do as it says.