The Killer of Little Shepherds

The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science by Douglas Starr

At the end of the 19th century, forensic scientists were struggling to be seen as legitimate aids in crime solving.  The main story of serial killer Joseph Vacher is interwoven with the discoveries of criminologist Dr. Alexandre Lacassagne and his colleagues.  Vacher is a heartless, unrepentant killer, who leaves a trail of mutilated children and women along the French countryside.  Lacassagne is a methodical, intelligent medical pioneer determined to provide the evidence to convict this murderer.

This book wove the murders alongside scientific discovery in a surprisingly interesting way.  While the story can sometimes overload your brain with science, the research is combined with an interesting narrative, and engaging characters.  True, I am a crime show addict, so I enjoyed the thought processes behind killers and the scientists.