Legend has it that the outlaw Jesse James took a bullet in the back from a member of his own gang. But did James in fact die as the papers reported? Or did he fake his death to get the law off his back? In Search of Jesse James turns to modern science to solve the mystery. Using the latest forensic techniques, DNA expert James E. Starrs examines the bones of the body under the tombstone marked "Jesse James." By comparing remains to those of James' mother, Starrs finds some remarkable new evidence that may rewrite a chapter of American folklore. In Search of Jesse James would be useful for classes on American History, Criminal Justice, American Culture and Science. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• DNA
• affidavit
• allude
• ascertain
• balderdash
• besiege
• conspiracy
• credible
• excavation
• exhume
• forensic
• genealogy
• impostor
• incarnate
• mastoid
• mitochondria
• ostensibly
• painstaking
• quandary
• toxicologist

1. If Jesse James was a murderer and a thief, then why are people so enamored with his legend?

2. Compare a criminal of today with whom people are enamored, similar to the way people are enamored of Jesse James.

3. Why did forensic scientists exhume Jesse James' body?

4. Although it was reported that Jesse James was killed in 1882, there are many that believe that he did not die then. Why is this account of Jesse James' death disputed?

5. One of the reasons DNA expert James E. Starrs agreed to conduct tests on James' remains was because of the number of people who claim to be descendants of James. Why do so many people want to prove that they are descendants of Jesse James?

6. How have science and technology made these tests possible?

7. What is DNA? How is DNA the "blueprint of life?" In what other ways can DNA testing be helpful to scientists, physicians and law enforcement officials?

8. How are DNA comparisons made?

9. DNA tests from Jesse James' mother would have been helpful to the mystery, but scientists could not exhume her body. Why?

10. How did scientists prove that Jesse James' remains were indeed his, without the help of his mother's remains?

1. Create a "wanted" poster for Jesse James.

2. Scientists used Jesse James' genealogy and family history to aid in their research. Create your own family tree that shows your family and your ancestors.

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