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The cases are recalled by Dr. Geoffrey Garrett, previously senior Home Office pathologist for the North West of England. In a career spanning over thirty years Dr. Geoffrey Garrett is the main character, with the first case, on being appointed Home Office pathologist in 1968. Dead bodies and mortuaries, both familiar to Dr. Garrett, as he was already a consultant pathologist at Oldham Royal Infirmary. Working as Home Office pathologist and closely with the police involves looking for evidence and causes when foul play is suspected.
Crimes involving murder, the drugs' world, misfortunes and horrific accidents are considered in this book and the results and findings only science can provide. The Forensic Science Lab deals with cases from three main sections:
BIOLOGY. This section deals with crimes against the person.
CHEMISTRY. This section deals with crimes against property including glass and paint analysis and fires.
TOXICOLOGY. This section deals with poisons, drugs and alcohol.
This book covered all of the areas of the forensic science lab and included the need for subspecialties within the broad area of forensic science that may be called upon when investigating crime and criminals e.g. Odontology ( the study of teeth ).
Anthropology ( the study of human beings ).
Pathology ( the examination of body tissues and fluids ).
In the introduction, the procedure of a post mortem examination is explained, and allows the reader to understand that each case is approached differently and the prime considerations can lead to dismissal or further investigation of foul play. The importance of accurate recording and collection of samples is looked at and explains that it is not only the body that is examined but also the crime scene area is where the forensic pathologist begins the investigation.
There are twenty-seven photographic illustrations depicting crime scenes, grisly remains, murder weapons, personal belongings of victims and a holdall which contained the remains of a seven year old girl. The chapters were short and in plain easy to understand terminology suitable for the lay person. Forensic science has developed rapidly over the last one hundred years and leaves the reader wondering how many innocent people were wrongly imprisoned and at worst, sent to the gallows. The importance of not just accepting what appears to have happened comes across strongly in this book and it also gives a rare insight into the complex subject of forensic pathology.
The chapters of the book did not have any continuity about them and repeatedly I found myself referring to the start of each chapter to verify which decade the case focused on occurred. On a scale of 1 to 5 I rate this book * * * *.The reasons for this being;
1. Plain, simple easy explanations of very complex field of science.
2. Brief background study of each case.
3. A glimpse into all fields of forensic science.
4. Each chapter short and precise.
5. A good selection of photographs relating to each case.
VERDICT
This book is packed with fascinating stories as told by the pathologist Dr. Geoffrey Garrett looking back on a thirty year career of drugs, medicine and mortuaries. I certainly will be making a trip back to the bookshop as I want to read more on Dr. Garretts' work and investigations.
The weakest passages are where the dear doctor moves to fields where he has no expertise, and may I add, not very well funded opinions. It is not surprising that a pathologist form beliefs of right and wrong and how the legal system should work, after all they see the raw consequences of crime. The problem is that he does not add anything of value to this discussion, and I found these chapters boring and outdated. For this reason I rate the book 3 stars. I still think Cause of Death is worth reading as it contains a lot of interesting facts and well written stories.
All cases mentiond have happened in the UK and have been in the National News... Read more
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