Examines the psychology of the serial killer and the challenges such criminals present to law enforcement personnel.

Describes the various ways in which children can be abused or neglected, details the changes in the way society has viewed the question of intervention in the family to protect children, including the ways in which the system itself can abuse, and discusses related issues.

Examines forensic science and how it can be used to apprehend criminals by finding clues in rug fibers, the way a bone is broken, DNA "fingerprints, " and more.

Discusses six criminal cases in which there was no completely satisfactory conclusion reached, including the case of the Zodiac killer, the Tylenol murderer, the assassination of President Kennedy, and an unusual skyjacking in 1971.

Explains how and why the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments to the Constitution protect the rights of those accused of a crime.

Describes some of the major crimes committed in the United States during the twentieth century and discusses the social impact of these criminal acts and the trial and punishment of the perpetrators.