Matalat haudat : rankimmat tapaukseni rikospaikkatutkijana

by Ray Fysh, Ari Väntänen (Translator)

Hätkähdyttävä true crime -kirja rikostutkinnan kansainväliseltä huipulta.

Raaka rituaalimurha, Lontoon pommi-iskut, Aleksandr Litvinenkon myrkytys. Muun muassa näiden tapausten selviäminen linkittyy yhteen mieheen, rikospaikkatutkija Ray Fyshiin.

Teknisen tutkinnan merkitys rikosten selvittämisessä oli pitkään vähäinen. 1990-luvulla Fysh tiimeineen kehitti edistyksellisiä tutkimusmenetelmiä ja on sittemmin selvittänyt tapauksia, jotka ovat olleet pimeitä kymmeniä vuosia.

Jokaiselle rikospaikalle jää jäljet, ja rikospaikka voi kertoa murhatapauksesta kaiken. Ray Fysh kirjoittaa hyytävistä tapauksista tarinankertojan vimmalla – sormenjälkiä, verinäytteitä ja luunsirpaleita säästelemättä.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Audiobook, Crime, Science, Memoir, Biography

319 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2022

Reviews

[Sara]

Quick review: informative, quick read. It was interesting to see cases from the forensics side, and how certain cases have helped shape and evolve forensic science. It's often painstakingly slow and methodical work for a single piece of evidence that can crack a case wide open. I'll admit I was less fond of the chapters on terrorism and poisoning, but that's a personal preference.

[Sophy H]

This book is amazing.

I haven't been so captivated or spellbound by a book in a long while.

Ray Fysh's stories of his career and the cases he has been involved in are truly fascinating whilst being horrifying and repulsive at the same time. I remember the majority of the cases he was involved in and it is mad to read of how painstaking the process is to gather evidence and check, check, double and triple check to ensure rigorous standards and procedure are followed, and nothing is left open to interpretation by an unscrupulous defense lawyer.

The cases that upset me the most were "Adam"- the torso in the Thames, and Billie Jo Jenkins. Adam- imagine being a young child that disappears from the face from the Earth in horrific circumstances and no grieving parents are looking for you, no one is making a fuss and your brutal murder goes unpunished. Fysh and his many colleagues did so much to trace the history of this young boy. Their work is so admirable - "we'll be his family now" one colleague had commented- how caring. And Billie Jo Jenkins, heinously murdered by her domestically abusive foster father, who after serving some of his sentence got to walk free! What a complete miscarriage of justice for that young girl. I remember being incensed when I heard that he had been freed.

Fysh's book highlights just how cruel and evil humans can be to each other, but also how diligence and determination goes a long way towards catching these evil bastards. His work is commendable and it's amazing to have been allowed an insight into it.

Highly recommended.

[Laura]

A really interesting look at the career of one of the countries leading forensic scientists, who has worked on some of the most high profile criminal cases across the decades. The author looks at cases individually to save confusion; which is welcomed as he does discuss some very complex scientific aspects of his work. He also does an excellent job at breaking down these complexities, making it easier for someone with a non-scientific background to grasp.

A must read for those intrigued by crime, criminal profiling and the endlessly growing world of forensic science, an art in its own right.

[Cara Press]

The tone of this book is so weird. The utter distain he has for many of the scientists he worked didn’t endear me to him. Maybe calling the people you manage boffins/anoraks constantly doesn’t go down well idk? Particularly when he’d have nothing to bring to the police if it weren’t for those actually generating the results in the lab… Also it’s not actually clear what his role really is - part police liaison, part manager maybe. I don’t doubt he played an important role in the cases but seems like quite a miscellaneous role.
Overall the tone switches a lot, suddenly singing the praises of certain people, which in some cases reads like an editors addition rather than his actual opinions.

Basically there’s some interesting cases discussed, but Ray lacks the humility that made similar memoirs like Dr Richard Sheppard’s a hit.

[Emilie]

Couldn't put it down, it was basically a 9 hour long true crime podcast. Made me want to look into how I could get into forensic anthropology after my degree, loved how problem solving was such a key element and thinking outside the box caught killers. Then I heard all the politics and how there's such a difference between how much COULD be done and how much WOULD be done on account of how much it would cost, the amount of serial killers/ abusers that get away every year due to budgets is horrifying. My love of Science and the truth couldn't survive in that environment.

[Chloe Evelyn]

Listened to this as an audiobook and it really felt like sometimes I was just listening to a really good true crime podcast. A fascinating and insightful read into one of the lead forensic scientists on some of the most high profile crimes in the UK.

[Caitlin Fong]

I never write reviews so that’s how you know it’s good.

Ray Fysh delves into the enhancement of forensic analysis within the last 4 decades with such passion you can literally feel it as you read. I never thought I could actually enjoy reading about science so much. His take on the evidence of ratios of radioactive isotopes in uncovering the time of death and racial profile of individuals truly showed the breadth of the information available to us and the brilliance of the minds devoted to it.

[Erin Kelly]

What a good book!!!! So fascinating to read the forensics work that basically proves guilt in horrific crimes. The way it was written was so easy to read, by taking you through each step and then each stage of their investigation process.

He has a bit of a funny tone sometimes like dismissive of other scientists / police people but i guess it was just his way of expressing that some civilians didn’t have the drive of the police force, and that some police didn’t trust the science that the civilians did. Came across a bit egotistical at times but didn’t take away from the book imo

Really recommend for true crime or police thriller readers

[Millie Morgan]

Absolutely fascinating

[Jill Bowman]

I think I spent more time on Google than I did reading the book. ☺️

[Ieva Valentinavičiūtė]

This was a fascinating read, where Ray Fysh walks through several cases from his career as a special adviser in forensic science. It was especially interesting to see just how many different aspects of forensic science can be used to solve cases.
I liked the way the book was structured whre each chapter focuses on a different crime, taking the reader from start to finish and highlighting the various methods used to uncover evidence.

[Martin Sanders]

Enjoyed this book.

[Eloise]

I found the cases and the science very interesting but the tone of the author is slightly unbearable. he comes across like he has a massive ego and he is oddly dismissive and judgemental of other people working in the field, which made the book harder to enjoy

[kylie]

Overall I enjoyed it, but something about it just doesn't sit right with me. Here are a few examples of things I just can't let go of:

- What exactly is his job? It kind of felt like a figure head meets scientist manager meets concierge? Like he has some scientific background, but doesn't do the actual science, and instead finds scientists and tells them what to do. While also going back and forth between saying they're amazing... but also not highly motivated and arrogant.
- The entire book is about seeking justice for victims of crimes, but there's a part where he admits that the police followed, shot, and killed a man just because he happened to live in the same building as their suspect and carry a backpack. He called it a deadly blunder and quickly moved on. That's it? That's all that innocent guy gets?
- The entire vibe felt similar to "pull yourself up by you bootstraps." Like yes, you guys did good work but you don't have to trash others to feel accomplished - those that don't want to work 24/7, academics, etc.

[Emily Carter-Dunn]

An exceptional memoir.

[Suzanne Marshall]

I found this book really interesting, it’s well worth a read!

[Lainy122]

Interesting insight into the development of forensics we now take for granted, and the cases that spawned their necessity.

[Nik]

Great to read about the science behind some high profile cases.

[Simplymegy]

I was looking for my next non fiction read, and so I found this on Bookbeat without previously having heard of it. Nevertheless, this has been the most riveting memoir I’ve read so far.

Fysh shared his experience of working as a forensic scientist from 1971 til his retirement in 2012. He desrcibes in detail six high profile cases in the UK in which forensic evidence has proved vital to catching the culprit.

It was like watching several episodes of CSI in your head- but it feels more harrowing because you know it really happened. Fysh breaks down the science behind how these criminals were caught, from the weapons they used to the forensic techniques that nailed them. I suddenly found myself learning about bombs made from household appliances and poisons. There’s this one case that I just couldn’t wrap my head around how someone could do such a thing- and the intricacies in its investigation was truly quite fascinating.

In addition, Fysh writes this book in such a human way that even though most of these cases were distressing, he still manages to make some funny remarks here and there. At the gist of it, you can really feel how passionate he is about his job.

Anyway, I’m feeling inspired now to read a thriller and critique the evidence presented. 😜

[Matthew McGoldison]

A good non-fiction/true crime book full of interesting cases and scientific developments. Ray takes measures not to claim credit for these developments, but his influence over the progression of the scientific field is clear, even if he didn't drive it directly.

Shallow Graves is quite well written, with a consistent and accessible pace, achieved through audience-friendly language (much like he states the juries will need!), but I did occasionally find myself a bit uncomfortable with certain language, (the Yardie gangs section - is that a bit racist...?)

I'm sure this is not intentional and perhaps a generational thing, because otherwise Ray was very clearly a force for good in the world, and it does not detract from my enjoyment of this book!

[Megan Shanahan]

A really interesting insight into on of the SA’s to Major Investigations from a Forensic point of view.

There was some really interesting cases put forward, which I had never heard about before. Ray gave a really good overview and simplistic version of how forensics are used to solve cases and many different examples of the breakthroughs too.

Overall, really interesting audio book. Very well written and narrated. 3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

[Georgia Pople]

This book was so interesting. As a lover of thrillers, moving into true crime felt like a natural way to broaden my reading library. What I found was a fascinating account of the life’s work of a major forensic scientist, the cases they worked on, and the science that helped solve them.
The book explores the importance of forensic development, especially the systems that analyse DNA to uncover vital information about suspects and victims. I loved the fast pace. It never paused or slowed down. As soon as one case reached its conclusion, the next one began, which made it almost impossible to put down.
The wide range of cases kept the book gripping, exciting and educational. I have come away with a much deeper understanding of how forensic science contributes to solving crimes. I do not think I will ever forget this book. I will probably refer to its cases for a long time. I am very glad I read it.

[Tamara Wilson]

What an incredible book. So interesting, insightful, harrowing and heartbreaking all at the same time. I only have admiration for anyone working in that field, seeing and analysing those crimes day in day out. Wow.

[Alma (retirement at last)]

Easy to read and interesting in how forensics emerged and advanced over the decades.
Subject matter not easy to read about especially as it relates to true crimes.

[Niamh :)]

So so good !!! It is long winded and very sciencey but good

[Shayne Kidd]

Really interesting non-fiction about forensics to fuel my true crime obsession

I knew about most of these cases already (woops) but it was still interesting to hear the forensics side !🕵🏼‍♀️

[kat]

Really fascinating book!

[Nicki Thoirs]

What an interesting read. It was great reading about how far forensic testing has come over the last few decades!

[Christine Britton]

Really interesting, got the scaries though listening to it in the dark

[Chantelle]

Quite honestly a fascinating and compelling read and a real insight into forensic work in previous high profile cases and how it actually works (vs how it appears to be so cut and dry in TV dramas). Also a very accessible read despite all the complicated science that was explained in a manner that even I could understand. 4 stars 🌟