[Sue Black] All That Remains: A Renowned Forensic Scientist on Death, Mortality, and Solving Crimes

by Sue Black

Dame Sue Black is an internationally renowned forensic anthropologist and human anatomist. She has lived her life eye to eye with the Grim Reaper, and she writes vividly about it in this book, which is part primer on the basics of identifying human remains, part frank memoir of a woman whose first paying job as a schoolgirl was to apprentice in a butcher shop, and part no-nonsense but deeply humane introduction to the reality of death in our lives. It is a treat for CSI junkies, murder mystery and thriller readers, and anyone seeking a clear-eyed guide to a subject that touches us all.

Cutting through hype, romanticism, and cliché, she recounts her first dissection; her own first acquaintance with a loved one’s death; the mortal remains in her lab and at burial sites as well as scenes of violence, murder, and criminal dismemberment; and about investigating mass fatalities due to war, accident, or natural disaster, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. She uses key cases to reveal how forensic science has developed and what her work has taught her about human nature.

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2025

About the author

Professor Dame Sue Black is one of the world's leading anatomists and forensic anthropologists. She is also the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Engagement at Lancaster University. She was the lead anthropologist for the British Forensic Team's work in the war crimes investigations in Kosovo and one of the first forensic scientists to travel to Thailand following the Indian Ocean tsunami to provide assistance in identifying the dead. Sue is a familiar face in the media, where documentaries have been filmed about her work, and she led the highly successful BBC 2 series History Cold Case.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed getting to know the author and definitely admire and respect the path she chose in life. Some parts I found myself wanting more of the clinical aspects due to being a nurse, but that is no fault of the author. There are always textbooks. I appreciated her sharing, especially the parts that touched my heart and made me cry.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

some parts were incredibly interesting others were long drawn and hard to sit through.

[Kevin Orlebeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

9/10 Excellent book. Black describes her experiences as a forensic anthropologist (a career I didn’t even know existed), her lofty contributions to that field, and the importance of giving identity to the dead. However, the story shines in its commentary on dying, death, and being dead. Her tone switches between cold/rational and endearment/empathy but illustrates the common mindset that professions (healthcare, law enforcement, morticians) have to employ in order to do their job effectively.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If we cannot influence it, perhaps we shouldn’t waste precious time worrying about it. When it comes, we just need to experience it.”

“If forensic experts allowed themselves to dwell on the immensity of human pain or on the gruesome spectacles we encounter, we would be ineffective scientists. We cannot take on the suffering of the dead. That is not our job, and if we don’t do our job, then we help nobody.”

[Anne Howe]

Enjoyable read/informative

The author's subtle humor helped lighten the reading matter as she imparts fascinating details about forensic anthropology. Her style of writing captured my attention all the way through to the end, which is saying something for me, who often flips around and or skips to the end of many books. Her participation in major historical world tragedies (genocide, tsunamis, etc) identifying human remains with compassion for loved ones and respect for the dead was/is admired. I also learned more about these events, in greater depth than one can learn from the evening news. Will I donate my body to medical science as she describes? Maybe, if I find a school similar to the university where she graduated from and taught.

[Allison Singer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 loved some parts but felt like I wanted to skip others.

[Savannah’s Shelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️ loved this I literally laughed cried everything just a super compelling, interesting, and just impressive book and life