The Best American Crime Writing 2004 Edition by Otto Penzler and Thomas H. Cook
"Who Shot Mohammed al-Dura?" by James Fallows, from The Atlantic Monthly takes a different look at the killing of a 12-year-old Palestinian boy in the early days of the second intifada. This article presented a very good look at how difficult crime scene reconstruction can be.
"The Professor and the Porn" by Elisabeth Franck, from New York magazine looks at the aftermath of two computer technicians discovering kiddie porn on the school computer of a respected New York Law School professor. While the response seems obvious to those outside the incident, the school's response leaves one scratching his head. What's going on in this school? Read the story at http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/news...
"The Old Man and the Gun" by David Grann, from The New Yorker is a thoughtful profile of a portrait of an octogenarian bank robber and escape artist.
"CSC: Crime Scene Cleanup" by Pat Jordan, from Playboy profiles a crime scene cleanup team. It takes a certain type of person to do this work, and Jordan, who admits to not having a very strong stomach, does an excellent job sticking with the story despite the graphic scenery.
"A Miscarriage of Justice" by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., from The Atlantic Monthly gives another perspective on Michael Skakel's involvement in the murder Martha Moxley. He presents good evidence to suggest reasonable doubt in the case and offers up other possible suspects.
"Watching the Detectives" by Jay Kirk, from Harper's documents a Vidocq Society meeting. The Vidocq Society is a group of forensic professionals and private citizens who donate their time and talents to solving cold cases. (They looked at the Boy in the Box case.) Kirk presents them as a suspicious and crabby bunch.
"For the Love of God" by Jon Krakauer, from GQ appears to be an except from Under the Banner of Heaven, an excellent book about two murders, the abduction of Elizabeth Smart, polygamy, and the differences between Mormons and fundamentalist Mormons.
"Chief Bratton Takes on LA" by Heather Mac Donald, from City Journal takes a look at the former and very successful New York city police chief and the barriers he faces in trying to clean up the LAPD.
"Not Guilty by Reason of Afghanistan" by John H. Richardson, from Esquire tells the story of a murderer who is convinced his victim was pro-Taliban and maybe even a terrorist. The victim's family paints a completely different picture of the two
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