Abstract
On the lam: A history of hunting fugitives in America details the stories of the most infamous American fugitives, the different agencies focused on finding them, and the evolution of the techniques used by law enforcement for this task. The authors also make a limited attempt to address the history and ongoing issues with bail reform. The authors previously collaborated in works that analyzed major cases. Jerry Clark has 27 years of experience with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Ed Palatella is an award-winning investigative journalist.
The book is divided into three parts and relies mainly on historical and legal texts, reviews and opinions, news articles, and interviews with law enforcement, judicial, and fugitive sources. The authors cite a few empirical studies when discussing topics such as the media’s effects on fugitive hunting. Part I of the book aims to present a general overview of the history of fugitive hunting. Part II takes a closer look at the most infamous cases, the development of the fugitive as a folklore hero, and the psychology of being a fugitive. Finally, Part III focuses on the most recent techniques used to capture fugitives. The end of each book chapter sets up the contextual framework for the next chapter.
Part I of the book is comprised of Chapters 1–3. The first chapter establishes the three types of fugitives detailed in the book and expands on the origins of the bail system. It also references the problems of for-profit bail. Finally, it touches upon the inequities of the bail system and the need for reform. Abruptly, the authors refer the reader to the last chapter in the book for a more in-depth discussion on how the bail system is coming under scrutiny. This format leaves the reader waiting until the end to get a complete picture of the topic. Yet, they dedicate a couple of paragraphs to the topic before turning their attention back to the history of bail bonding.
The second chapter introduces the creation and the differences between the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI. This chapter gives the reader a better understanding of how and why the two agencies split the work of chasing fugitives. It is also successful in describing the laws that stipulate these arrangements. The authors describe in more detail the implications of these working arrangements in future chapters.
The last chapter of the section delves into the rise of the Depression-era concept of “public enemy” and the first iterations of most-wanted lists. The authors efficiently depict the cases of John Dillinger, the Kansas City Massacre, and the Lindbergh kidnapping to emphasize the violence of the time and the FBI’s rapid emergence under the leadership of J. Edgar Hoover. They also introduce the reader to how media can reach the public and create awareness in the hunt for fugitives. The chapter acts as a precursor to Part II, which traces some of the more infamous fugitive cases in American history and the FBI’s growing reliance on publicity campaigns.
Part II of the book contains Chapters 4–6. Chapters 4 and 5 reinforce some of the constructs presented in the first three chapters, such as the notoriety afforded to some fugitives and the proliferation of most-wanted lists. It also expands on the cases that created society’s fascination with early fugitives. The last chapter attempts to explain the mind of a fugitive, but the authors’ analysis is marginally effective. They only provide a detailed account of the words of one exceptional fugitive from the 1930s, Robert Elliot Burns. The authors also attempt to add more dimension with one of the only three women whose experience as a fugitive is profiled in the book. The anecdotes are entertaining but fall short of providing a comprehensive and expert analysis of fugitive psychology.
Part III of the book includes the last two chapters as well as the afterword. The last two chapters detail the proliferation of mass media and the internet as tools for capturing fugitives. It also touches on newer techniques used in mass raids. The authors demonstrate the importance of television by the rise in the popularity of the TV show America’s Most Wanted and its success in leading to the capture of almost 1,150 fugitives. The last chapter also picks up the discussion of bail system reform introduced in Chapter 1. This chapter is titled “Caught in the World Wide Web: The Digital Age Catches Up to Fugitives, and the Bail System Faces Reform.” These two topics forcefully mesh in the last chapter.
In general, most of the information in the book will not provide many insights for criminal justice scholars. However, the book is a useful resource for newer students of crime and justice. It serves as an introduction to the world of criminal investigations, especially at the federal level. It will also help to dispel myths or misconceptions that students have about the FBI or the U.S. Marshals Service. By generally keeping a fast pace and engaging the reader with real-life storytelling, the authors successfully bring to life the excitement and intricacies of fugitive hunting. The discussion could have been more effective by leaving aside topics that require expert analysis like fugitive psychology and bail system reform. Nevertheless, the book provides detailed and vivid imagery in its stories while emphasizing the power and prowess of federal agencies. This will be entertaining and informative for the more casual reader.