微物線索：英國鑑識專家雷．費許的重案緝兇實錄

by Ray Fysh, 吳妍儀 (Translator), 曾志傑 (Translator)

他善於解讀犯罪現場的微物跡證，
卻困於權力場的暗潮洶湧。
一個四處碰壁的實驗室怪胎，
如何成為推動英國刑事偵查革命的鑑識科學先驅？

雷•費許原是效力於英國倫敦警察廳實驗室的毒理學家，於九○年代轉調至當時甫成立的英國鑑識科學服務中心，成為首批「專家顧問」之一，負責整合各種最新鑑識科技，與警方合作辦案。

一心想貢獻長才的雷，很快就發現人心遠比微物跡證更難解讀。警方認為他不懷好意，對他心懷戒備；習慣朝九晚五公務員生活的科學家則是抗拒改變，不願聽從指揮；就連高層長官也磨刀霍霍，隨時準備裁撤他所屬單位。

飽嚐各方冷眼的雷，用耐心與實力與各界斡旋。終於在坐了八個月的冷板凳後，一件震驚全英的少女謀殺案，成為他鑑識生涯的轉機。他靠著薄如噴霧的血跡噴濺，成功偵破這起血案，一夕成名。

隨後他更首開先例，與考古學、植物學、化學、工程學等各界菁英聯手，屢次讓陷入僵局的懸案絕處逢生，把物證解析帶入全新境界，成為推動英國刑事偵查革命的鑑識科學先驅。

本書是雷．費許二十年鑑識生涯回憶錄，詳述他參與過的駭人重案，也記錄了他與體制抗爭的過程。這是一本重大刑案實錄，更是一部當代鑑識科學演進史！

花粉、纖維、血霧，都是他的破案利器；
權力、鬥爭、人心，是比懸案更難解的謎。

►被斬斷四肢的無頭男童屍體，如何以骨骼中的同位素解開身分之謎，再透過腸道花粉微粒還原生前足跡，從倫敦一路追查到西非，揭開活人獻祭眞相？
►全心照顧病妻的好好先生，被警方認定是橫行倫敦十七年的戀老癖性侵犯。堅持喊冤的他，能推翻鐵證如山的DNA鑑定嗎？
►令全英舉國憤慨的八歲女童性侵棄屍案，為何要出動考古學家協助？歷經大雨連日沖刷的屍體，還能找出蛛絲馬跡？
►暴斃的俄國富豪，體內查無毒物反應。是純屬意外，還是俄國情報單位已研發出能躲避化驗的致命毒素？

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

464 pages

First published September 1, 2022

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Cara Press · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Chloe Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating

[Jill Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Ieva Valentinavičiūtė · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book.

[Eloise · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional memoir.

[Suzanne Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Lainy122 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Nik · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Simplymegy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 McGoldrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

[Tamara Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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) · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Shayne Kidd · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fascinating book!

[Nicki Thoirs · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Christine Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Chantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 🌟

[svejkovat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fysh has had an interesting life, but he really does not know how to write about it in a compelling way. This book is largely just a list of all the cases he had some minor involvement in, all of which he is at pains to make you believe he was one of the key players in. Naturally he chooses not to dwell on the major errors he was involved in and simply puts that down to a flawed judicial process.

The author also has this strange habit of including passing humble brags, such as stating a police officer rang him enquiring after his services at which point he said he heard of him via word of mouth and that he was “a man that would not back down” (I paraphrase but that’s the essence of it). There are many examples of this, it’s as if he can’t help himself. This happened so often I found myself sympathising with the other forensic scientists who found him to be a meddling influence.

This underlying narcissism really comes to the fore when at the culmination of the book he cites not being thanked for his commendation awards as the sign no one cared about forensic services…he does of course give other reasons but in what way is this important? I would have thought a forensic scientist would be more concerned with processes and detail, not these petty personal concerns. Perhaps that just shows I know little of forensic scientists.

I wanted to know more about individual cases and the forensic aspects of their trials, instead I was mostly met with ‘and then my team cracked the case’. There are probably 30 major investigations mentioned here and I think perhaps only the M25 Rapist and the ‘Adam’ case in London are met with any real detail.

As a memoir of how forensic science has developed in the UK (though largely just the South East of England) it’s perfectly passable, but this book really needed an editor to get stuck into it.

Note on the audiobook*

As usual it’s of good quality but the narrator no doubt must have thought there was no way to project these stories without a bragging tone. He is probably right too, because that’s 40% of the book.

2.5/5