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RedditWhen she's not working for North Carolina's chief medical examiner in Charlotte, and for Quebec's central crime lab in Montreal, she writes bestselling crime novels featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. The character inspired the television show "Bones," about a female forensic specialist at the "Jeffersonian," a fictional Washington, D.C. museum not unlike the Smithsonian. Reichs' tenth novel, Bones to Ashes, appears this month. A Chicago native with a doctorate in anthropology, Reichs is married to Paul Reichs, a lawyer, with whom she has three grown children.
What attracted you to the field of forensic anthropology?
I was doing archaeology, and the police started bringing me cases. If there was a local bones specialist at a university, often law enforcement would take skeletal remains there. As I started doing it, I liked that it was very relevant.
How closely do you work with criminal investigators?
Not everything that comes in is a homicide. It could be an old person who wandered off, died in the woods and the body is found years later. If it's a homicide, we work with the investigators at the outset. I might tell them, "You're looking for a middle-aged black male." They'll go off and get missing persons lists, and they might bring back some possible names and profiles. They'll try to get medical records, dental records. If it's a homicide, then we might also talk about trauma. If someone is prosecuted, then I'll testify.
You work on crime victims. Do you think about them a lot?
You have to remain objective, of course. My colleague Clyde Snow has said, "If you have to cry, you cry at night at home. While you're doing your job, you do your job." The cases that stay in your mind are the ones that haven't been resolved.
You testified in Tanzania at the United Nations Tribunal on Genocide in Rwanda.
What I did there was similar to what I had done for the military lab for many years, which was to review positive IDs of [dead] soldiers. I was at the tribunal under witness protection; they told me they had lost some witnesses.
Do you worry about your safety?
There was one trial in the States in which the defendant said he was going to kill me. They couldn't bring extra cops into the courtroom because that would be prejudicial, but they put them at the doors. They said, "If he comes at you, just get down." I thought, if he comes at me, I'm diving behind the judge. (The defendant was convicted.)
When did you start writing fiction?
In the mid-1990s, when I had a serial murder case. It was before this massive interest in forensics. The time seemed right to combine murder mystery and forensics with a strong female character. I took the approach to write about what I know. I base my books only loosely on real cases. The one that triggered Bones to Ashes was a child skeleton found on the Quebec-New Brunswick border—a child about 5 or 6 years old who has never been identified.
What impact have forensic novels and TV shows had on the public?
They've made the public a bit more aware of science. Especially kids. Especially little girls, which is a good thing. But they've raised the public's expectations higher than is realistic, with juries expecting every single case to get DNA every time. That's not realistic. It's not even smart. You don't do every single test in every single case.
What do your science colleagues think of your fiction?
You're not supposed to be writing fiction. If you do it in the English department, you're a hero. If you do it in the science department, you're a little suspect.
I have greatly enjoyed the novels and was delighted to learn about the TV series, which I do watch, but may I ask why did Dr Reichs give the main character of the TV series, Bones, the same name as her book character. Clearly they are two very different persons with very different life styles? Regards A M Lambert
Posted by Anne Lambert on December 15,2007 | 12:37AM
Hello, I started watching Dr. Reichs series on Fox and i found it very interesting and unearthing. i personaly could never become an anthropoligist (if I spelt that correctly) because i do not have the stomach for that line of work, or the mind set. i just wanted to credit her on what she does for the family's of victims and the victims themselves. Although i have never read her novels i am definitly going to buy them all and read them as soon as possible. thank you ---Harley
Posted by Harley B on January 6,2008 | 02:16AM
I have not read any of the novels at this time, but I do watch the Bones series and own seasons 1, 2 and 3. I have to say I am hooked on the entire premises of the show and I know I will be diving into the books with great anticipation soon. I wish I had a greater purpose like Dr. Reichs, with her background and communicating and connecting with people . Thank you- Gina
Posted by Gina Kostelich on March 6,2008 | 09:12AM
omg! I love kathy's show and her books. Though I'm only 13 years old, I've seen every episode of bones and have read all of her books! This is the lifestyle that I want to lead and thank you Kathy Reich for making it possible for me to have access to all of this great material to sink my teeth into. Well, please keep up the amazing work and I can't wait to see you in may! -*-Emily-*-
Posted by Emily H. on March 21,2008 | 09:34PM
I REALLY LOVE "BONES" ON FOX!!!! THAT SHOW HAS INSPIRED ME TO BECOME EITHER A forensic anthropologist OR IN THE F.B.I. WORKING WITH forensic anthropologistS!!! THIS IS MY DREAM AND I'M ONLY 13!!!
Posted by Victoria Clark on May 21,2008 | 10:08AM
I LOVE ALL YOUR BOOKS AND I LOVE THE SHOW BONES .I THINK DAVID BOREANAZ IS A GREAT ACTOR .I STRIKE REALLY HURT .I ALMOST GAVE UP. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL YOU NEW BOOK COMES OUT.PLEASE TELL ME THAT I DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL AUGUST TO SEE SERIES 4 .MORE RERUNS.?
Posted by on May 21,2008 | 11:39PM
I LOVE your show it is fovorite and I cant wait until your new season of bones comes out. Your show and books have made me want to grow up jest like you!
Posted by Will on June 6,2008 | 07:59PM
Although neither author probably wishes it so, it's difficult not to compare Reichs and Cornwell. I am an admirer of the Tempe Brennan books, but notice that certain book clubs that feature mystery novels do not carry the Reichs' titles. Do you know why? I have asked the clubs but get no straight answers. Bill McGee
Posted by Bill McGee on June 11,2008 | 04:49AM
I have read everyone of your books and have enjoyed all of them. I even got my husband reading them. I also watch the TV show "Bones" as well. It is very well produced and I think the characters are so great together. I even watch the reruns as well. You are so knowledgeable and professionable. Also, the way that you note those that have assisted you in your research is very commendable. You have even honored the police/detectives, etc that have helped you. When your daughter's book comes out I intend to read it as well. Looking forward to your next book!!!! Thanks for giving your readers insight to your science world of forensics. Thank you.
Posted by Joan L. Meyers on September 2,2008 | 04:11PM
I am very curious about the underlying christian views. I have never seen so much reference to Jesus and God in a secular show. It is very refreshing! My husband, daughter (19 yrs. old) and I all enjoy the show. we were big CSI Vegas fans and it is so nice to see a mystery show that is not so dark. I mean, murder is always awful, but this show has redeeming qualities
Posted by jane Phan on March 21,2009 | 05:25PM