About the book: Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Everything

Become an eyewitness to the world's most incredible nature, science, and historical events, all in one extraordinary encyclopedia guide that will take you on a visual tour of everything.

What makes this book so special?

  • EXTRAORDINARY IMAGES: See the world as never before with more than 1,500 breathtaking photos.

  • EYEWITNESS EXPERTS: Features 16 interviews with the world's leading 'Ologists - from archaeologists to zoologists - answering kids' questions about what they do and why they love it.

  • DIVE DEEPER: Packed with all the topics that kids are curious about, plus a mixture of picture quizzes, mind-blowing facts, infographic lists and more!

  • TRUSTED BRAND: An extraordinary 400 page flagship encyclopedia from DK’s loved and trusted Eyewitness series, made in collaboration with kids and families.

  • GIFT-WORTHY: This beautiful, full-coloured hardback makes it the perfect keepsake gift for curious kids and their families.

Meet a forensic scientist

Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Everything puts real questions from kids to some of the world's finest 'Ologists. In this extract, we meet Leisa Nichols-Drew: an Associate Professor at De Montfort University, Leicester, UK, as well as a Chartered Forensic Practitioner. She teaches as well as works on cases.


Q: What is the most interesting part of your job?
A: I love working with other experts and using scientific techniques to figure out who, what, where, when, and how – by doing so solving crimes and keeping communities safe.

Q: What different areas of forensic science are there?
A: There are so many areas of forensic science, including toxicology (looking at medicines and poisons), technology (analysing computers and mobile phones), ecology (examining things such as soil and pollen), amongst many more!

Q: How can DNA help solve crimes?
A: DNA is present in every cell of the body (except red blood cells). DNA recovered from biological material at the crime scene, such as blood, can be examined by forensic scientists, which may help to eliminate or identify people connected to a crime.

Q: Do you have any special equipment to help you find evidence?
A: Forensic scientists can now view evidence that was previously invisible. Ultraviolet light can be used to find who has handled an item by showing up cellular material from their skin. Infrared light can show if a person has washed away a message in pen ink from the back of their hand. Both kinds of light are also useful at determining if a document is genuine, such as passports and currency.

Test yourself! Can you name all these dinosaurs?

Download the activity sheet

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There’s so much to explore with the Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Everything