Manhunt Boston bombers : [technology's role in catching the Marathon bombing suspects]

This documentary tells the story of how technology aided the hunt for the suspects in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. With background provided by law enforcement officials close to the investigation and experts in modern forensic techniques, viewers become privy to key moments in the tracking of the suspects, later identified as Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. The strengths and weaknesses of thermal imaging, bomb-blast analysis, cell phone technology, and facial recognition methods are explained and the role of each in the investigation demonstrated. Viewers witness the complications inherent in even the most advanced investigative tools and look at the unintended and sometimes unfortunate consequences of crowdsourcing. Interspersed with the discussions of forensics is news footage ranging from the time of the blast to the conclusion of the manhunt. VERDICT This compelling and timely film illustrates the power and complexity of technological innovations in crime fighting and the diligence and creativity of the individuals who pursued, and quickly located, the suspects. Because the events surrounding the bombings riveted the American public, there will be wide interest in this film. Law enforcement personnel and anyone curious about investigative techniques and tools will find it especially appealing.-Joan Pedzich, formerly with Harris Beach PLLC, Pittsford, NY (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.