On the Case
Kathy Reichs, the forensic expert who helped inspire the TV show "Bones," talks about homicides, DNA and her latest novel
- By Cate Lineberry
- Smithsonian magazine, August 2007, Subscribe
"As a kid I pictured myself as a scientist," says Reichs. "I never anticipated writing fiction." Marie-Reine Mattera
When 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.
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Comments (36)
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My daughter Emma (9 years old) has to complete a research project for her 3rd grade class. She chose you as her subject. Emma has always been interested in Science and how things work, but she became even more fascinated with Forensic Science (and Anthropology) because of the show "Bones". Yes, I do allow her (and her 7 year old brother) to watch the show. We discuss the "Forensic Science" concepts and wonder if they are real. As part of Emma's project she is creating a scrapbook (in the first person) and she will pose as you in a living museum where her peers can ask her questions. The following are some specific questions she would like to ask you (please keep in mind I found a few of the answers on other sites, but she wanted to ask you directly): 1. How many years have you been working as a Forensic Anthropologist? 2. Who are two very special people that are (or used to be) part of your life? 3. Where did you go to college? 4. Why were you interested in becoming a Forensic Anthropologist? 5. What is the most famous case you have worked on? Thank you in advance for responding to Emma's questions. Respectfully, Lisa (Emma's Mom)
Posted by Lisa MacEinri (for my daughter Emma) on January 31,2012 | 02:00 PM
thank you for this article. Bones is 1 of my favorite shows and I really found it interesting knowing now the background and where it came from. my last trip to washington dc unfortunately I missed visiting the smithsonian. I visited the air and space museum. next time for sure I will be there. you are 100 percent right about the influence these tv shows do have on the general public. obviously the shows are somewhat fanciful. don't get me wrong they show a lot of truth but you're right when it comes down to the jurors in a real trial. they expect to see solid undeniable evidence like on the tv show which is just not realistic, I do feel that has effected a few recent big cases for example the casey anthony trial. thank you for the article and most of all thank you kathy for the inspiration for the show bones. as much as it may hurt the jury system I believe it and it has helped showcase forensic anthropology and the great importance it has in catching criminals and most importantly giving the victim's family peace of mind in knowing what truly happened to their loved ones.
Posted by nick on January 30,2012 | 08:51 AM
Dear Dr. Reichs,
I am still young, but my dream is to study anthropology and help solve crimes and help people find out the truth. I was curious if you had any advice about going into the field of Anthropology. If you had any information to help me reach my goals I would appreciate it. Thank you and I hope you have a good day.
Posted by Elizabeth on January 27,2012 | 08:13 PM
Dear Kathy,
I can't tell you how much i admire you, and how wonderful i think you books are. My favorite is Virals, i finished Seizure just hours ago and spazzed out trying to find info on the 3rd(and i did).
I'm 13 but I've read and loved all of your books, i swear they teach me more then some of my classes!
I love your writing style. It's truly unique. And I wanted to tell you that when i right 'the' I connect the 't' and the 'h'! Anyways, keep on writing great books!
One of your biggest fans,
Revi Lave
Posted by Revi Lave on October 19,2011 | 02:20 AM
Dear Kathy Reichs,
Let me start off by saying your work is amazing! I may only be 13 but, I've read almost all of your books, my favorite is The Virals. In school we're writing letters to authors, an i choose you. You should be receiving my letter soon... I really hope you write me back!(:
- Amber
Posted by Amber on October 18,2011 | 04:16 PM
Dear Dr. Kathy Reichs,
I love readin your books! Im am reading Spider Bones at the moment and am half way through. I already love it!
I am 13 yrs old and have already decided what job i want.I want to be a forensic pathologist, and i know you are a anthroplogist, but you have inspired me SOO much :)
Thank you for being the best
Sophie
x
Posted by Sophie Pearce on September 11,2011 | 11:53 AM
dear kathy reichs.
i'm from belgium and i've red your book Virals. now i was wondering, does Seizure come out in dutch translation?
please let me know something
i realy love your work
x emma
Posted by emma on September 7,2011 | 10:34 AM
Dear Kathy,
We understand that you are very busy. My sisters and I were wondering if it was possible for you to Autograph your lastest book for our mother who is turning 70 at the end of the year.
christine
Posted by christine on June 3,2011 | 06:33 PM
Dear Dr. Kathy Reichs,
Let me just begin to say that, I love the show Bones. ( I JUST started watching them on hulu) However, I did not know about you (or even heard about you) until I started doing some snooping around...
And you're an author too?!?!?!
You might as well and another fan to your extremely long list.
I am also an inspiring Forensic Anthropologist, and I am very determined to be one of the best. So you better watch out...haha. No seriously, I am. I also just might go to the college that you are teaching at. So hopefully you'll see me around.
I'll see you in a year or two!
P.s. I'm just starting to read your books now, they'd better be good! Thanks so much!
Posted by Stephanie on May 16,2011 | 10:53 AM
Dear Kathy,
I am only 13, but I watch Bones every time that I get the chance! Your show, by far is my favorite show on t.v. I also, would like to become an anthropologist or a forensic scientist (Like Abby on NCIS). I don't really know why, but figuring out and solving crimes is really fun for me. I read your new book "Virals" and it's a GREAT read. I also love to write, I don't think I mentioned that? Anyway, I would LOVE it if you could write me back, and give me some tips on writing. Thanks!:)
From,
Reign:).
Posted by Reign on February 5,2011 | 04:56 PM
High-functioning autistic with Asperger's comes to mind! I find "Bones" extremely amusing to watch - love how her mind works. I'll have to read one of the books to see if I get the same impression!
Posted by pamela on January 12,2011 | 07:34 PM
Dear Dr. Reichs!
I´m an archeologist in Germany, working as a technichian on archeologic excavations. I have read the most of your books, and i like them very much, because they are suspencefull and thrilling and funny too. For me your books are some of the best of intelligent stories dealing on crime and forensics.
I was a big fan of tv-shows like csi, but then they become more and more boring, but your books a still thrilling and seem real to me.
Keep on rocking (or writing)
greetings, Martin
If you want to, please answer me.
Posted by Martin Müller M.A. on January 3,2011 | 07:59 PM
I am a teacher working on her gifted endorsement. We have to do a project on a person of interest. I want to do Kathy Reichs and wondered if there is any information about Kathy as a child? Was she in the 'gifted' program or ever identified as gifted? Any information about Kathy as a young student in grade/high school would be great. I plan to list my facts on a halloween skeleton I purchased.
Posted by Peggy Jansing on October 20,2010 | 11:42 PM
I'm dazzled by the intellectual achievements of Dr. Reichs. She is truly an inspirational figure for our daughters--and sons--as to what is possible with focus and education.
I learned about Dr. Reichs after researching the TV show ("Bones") and have since learned that a number of my friends are readers of her novels. As a staunch Cussler fan I can't wait to delve into her books.
Posted by Steve Crawford on August 30,2010 | 02:19 AM
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