No Stone Unturned: The Story of Necrosearch International Investigators

By Steve Jackson, narrated by Kevin Pierce. Every year, thousands of Americans disappear who are believed murdered, but their bodies are never found. Even if the police have a suspect, lack of a body and the evidence associated with it impedes and may even prevent prosecution. Without a body, the case may be just not winnable “beyond the shadow of a doubt.”
As harrowing as any fictional thriller, this absorbing book tells the real-life story of Colorado-based NecroSearch International—an organization of volunteer scientists that brings a surprisingly large array of disciplines to the search for clandestine graves and the analysis of the evidence they hold. What began as a research project has led to work with police forces from show more across the country to find the bodies of more than 300 people missing and believed murdered. This book, initially published in 2001, was updated in 2015 for the audio and Kindle editions.
When a small group of researchers began this work, they were interested only in developing more scientific methods for grave searches. They started by burying the bodies of pigs at various depths to see how, over time, different detection methods could yield useful results. Eventually, they added experts in additional specialties, bringing together forensic scientists, soil experts, naturalists, botanists who know which plants grow in disturbed soil, geologists, experts on hydrology, meteorology, psychology, geophysics, entomology, anthropology, and “cadaver dog” handlers. Some members now are from law enforcement.
They use technology—like ground-penetrating radar and aerial photography (now sometimes using drones)—but it’s their encyclopedic knowledge of the way soil, stone, water, plants, insects, and wildlife interact that sets them apart. The scientists always caution that no technology can reveal where a body is, but their methods can tell the police where to look.
When the police have a suspected grave site, the alternative, still used too often, is to bring in a backhoe, destroying evidence and disturbing the remains, so that tiny details that provide important clues are lost. NecroSearch approaches a site like an anthropologist exploring an ancient city, gently removing one layer of soil at a time and sifting it for evidence.
Their first of many setbacks was when some of the pigs were dug up and scavenged by animals. Once they realized a human corpse was as likely to be scavenged as one of the pigs, this became an opportunity to bring in animal behavior experts to consider likely predators and how they would deal with the remains.
Jackson, a journalist with a talent for clear and compelling prose, tells the story of their accumulating expertise through the actual cases they worked on—not all of which were successful. Team members work as volunteers, asking only for expense reimbursement. Their payment is in the form of satisfaction—the successful application of scientific methods to difficult problems, aiding the police in finding evidence that will allow a murderer to go to trial, and, every bit as important to them, giving closure to the family and the investigators, often after years of fruitless searching and agonizing uncertainty.
Kevin Pierce gives a fine, energetic reading that draws you into the cases and what it means to the scientists when they are able to resolve one. “There is no statute of limitations on murder,” they say, “and no statute of limitations on grief. The truth does matter.” show less

This book is about the founding of NecroSearch, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping law enforcement recover hidden bodies and clandestine graves. The background and origin of the organization is interesting, but I greatly enjoyed hearing the summary of some of NecroSearch's biggest case successes. Of course I was soon on their website seeing if I could volunteer. I can't, it's only for trained people with specialized skills. SIGH. Still, it was a fascinating read about the real people who are out there doing God's work. Very inspiring.

I very much enjoyed this audio book. Although the involvement of necro search seemed to fall short at times, it is a very insistent tale of the importance of all departments working together for a common goal, and about how successful this teamwork can prove to be.

Kevin Pierce as narrator did a great job. He wasn't too excited, but he wasn't boring, either. He had just the right amount of empathy, and the story really came to life through his narration.

The cases described in the book are harrowing, but they aren't described in a sensationalist way, which is a bonus.

If you've watched some of the crimes on discovery channel, you'll be reminded of those when listening to this book -- I certainly was. Until now, I had thought that the TV show more show Cold Case was just that: a figment of somebody's imagination. Now I learned that there are indeed departments looking into cold cases.
This book was an eye-opener on many levels, and I'm glad I happened upon it. show less

We've been brainwashed into thinking that murder investigation always start with a body found. Not so. How then, do we go about finding the body? Ghostbusters won't answer the call, but nowadays, NecroSearch is the organization to call. A fine group of science nerds and cadaver dogs have adapted and utilized technology usually known to us only through archaeology. In this edition, the early cases which prodded the ideas resulting in a mobile team to provide what most departments cannot afford to keep on retainer are expanded upon and epilogues provided. Like the medical examiners, this organization aids law enforcement to speak for the dead, assists in providing justice for them, and bring closure to the grieving.
KP takes audio show more performance tips from Joe Friday? Excellent delivery which makes it quite clear that this is reality, not fiction.
Thank you so much, AudioBook Blast for giving me the opportunity to learn. show less

The "World's Premier Forensic Investigators" are, by this book, NecroSearch International Inc.. Quickly dispensing with the evolution of criminal forensic investigation, this briskly develops into the story of the non-profit enterprise that grew from experimental pig inhumation to altruistically offering ground penetrating radar and other cadaver locating technologies to law enforcement agencies at below cost. A few key cases are covered in detail, from reconstructing the homicide to the courtroom outcome to, in this updated edition, recent updates. One case unlike the rest will stick out to any reader: searching in Russia for the remains of Romanovs.

An excellent book! I loved it. It was so well researched and detailed. It explored how forensic investigators work and some of the cases that were worked on that were difficult. It explained how certain forensic groups started. I have read several Steve Jackson books and this is one of the best. I highly recommend it.

3.5 stars.