# Lay Them to Rest: On the Road with the Cold Case Investigators Who Identify the Nameless - Hardcover

by **Laurah Norton** (Author)

**Take a fascinating deep dive into the dark world of forensic science as experts team up to solve the identity of an unknown woman by exploring the rapidly evolving techniques being used to break the most notorious cold cases.**

Fans of true crime shows like _CSI, NCIS, Criminal Minds,_ and _Law and Order_ know that when it comes to "getting the bad guy" behind bars, your best chance of success boils down to the strength of your evidence--and the forensic science used to obtain it. Beyond the silver screen, forensic science has been used for decades to help solve even the most tough-to-crack cases. In 2018, the accused Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo, was finally apprehended after a decades-long investigation thanks to a very recent technique called forensic genealogy, which has since led to the closure of hundreds of cold cases, bringing long-awaited justice to victims and families alike. But when it comes to solving these incredibly difficult cases, forensic genealogy is just the tip of the iceberg--and many readers have no idea just how far down that iceberg goes.

For Laurah Norton, forensic science was always more of a passion than anything else. But after learning about a mishandled 1990s cold case involving missing twins, she was spurred to action, eventually creating a massively popular podcast and building a platform that helped bring widespread attention and resources to the case. _LAY THEM TO REST_ builds on Laurah's fascination with these investigations, introducing readers to the history and evolution of forensic science, from the death masks used in Ancient Rome to the 3-D facial reconstruction technology used today. Incorporating the stories of real-life John & Jane Does from around the world, Laurah also examines how changing identification methods have helped solve the most iconic cold cases. Along the way readers will also get to see Laurah solve a case in real time with forensic anthropologist Dr. Amy Michael, as they try to determine the identity of "Ina" Jane Doe, a woman whose head was found in a brush in an Illinois park in 1993.

More than just a chronicle of the history of forensics, _LAY THEM TO REST_ is also a celebration of the growing field of experts, forensic artists, and anthropologists (many of whom Laurah talks to in the book), who work tirelessly to bring closure to these unsolved cases. And of course, this book asks _why_ some cases go unsolved, highlighting the "missing missing," the sex workers, undocumented, the cases that so desperately need our attention, but so rarely get it.

Engrossing, informative, heartbreaking, and hopeful, _LAY THEM TO REST_ is a deep dive into the world of forensic science, showing readers how far we've come in cracking cases and catching killers, and illuminating just how far we have yet to go.

### Author Biography

**Laurah Norton** is the writer, researcher, and host of _The Fall Line_, a deeply researched podcast covering cold cases in the Southeast, and _One Strange Thing_, a show that looks at unexplainable stories from American news archives. Previously, she was a principal senior lecturer at Georgia State University, where she taught creative writing, podcasting, and digital media. Norton has published short literary fiction since the mid 2000s, mostly in journals and anthologies. She is based in Atlanta, GA.

**Number of Pages:** 352

**Dimensions:** 1.5 x 9.1 x 6.3 IN

**Publication Date:** October 17, 2023

## Details

- **Price:** 30.0 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 30.00 USD | In stock |

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- Lay Them to Rest: On the Road with the Cold Case Investigators Who Identify the Nameless - Hardcover

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