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THE FATHER OF FORENSICS: HOW SIR BERNARD SPILSBURY INVENTED MODERN CSI
Before there was CSI , there was one man who saw beyond the crime-and into the future of forensic science.
His name was Bernard Spilsbury-and, through his use of cutting-edge science, he single-handedly brought criminal investigations into the modern age. Starting out as a young, charismatic physician in early twentieth-century Britain, Spilsbury hit the English justice system-and the front pages-like a cannonball, garnering a reputation as a real-life Sherlock Holmes. He uncovered evidence others missed, stood above his peers in the field of crime reconstruction, exposed discrepancies between witness testimony and factual evidence, and most importantly, convicted dozens of murderers with hard-nosed, scientific proof.
This is the fascinating story of the life and work of Bernard Spilsbury, history's greatest medical detective-and of the cases that not only made him a celebrity, but also inspired the astonishing science of criminal investigation in our own time.
His name was Bernard Spilsbury-and, through his use of cutting-edge science, he single-handedly brought criminal investigations into the modern age. Starting out as a young, charismatic physician in early twentieth-century Britain, Spilsbury hit the English justice system-and the front pages-like a cannonball, garnering a reputation as a real-life Sherlock Holmes. He uncovered evidence others missed, stood above his peers in the field of crime reconstruction, exposed discrepancies between witness testimony and factual evidence, and most importantly, convicted dozens of murderers with hard-nosed, scientific proof.
This is the fascinating story of the life and work of Bernard Spilsbury, history's greatest medical detective-and of the cases that not only made him a celebrity, but also inspired the astonishing science of criminal investigation in our own time.
326 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2006
55 people are currently reading
2242 people want to read
About the author
Colin Evans
76 books37 followersColin Evans is the author of 17 books dealing with forensics and true crime. His fascination with the murkier side of human nature began while he was still in school. Hours spent in library archives researching contemporary newspaper accounts about "Jack the Ripper" (no, he doesn't have any clues to the killer's identity, and he seriously doubts that anyone else does, either) got him started and it's really never stopped since then.
He was living in America when his first book was published in 1993, and since that time he's gone on to become one of the foremost writers dealing with the history and development of forensic science.
He was living in America when his first book was published in 1993, and since that time he's gone on to become one of the foremost writers dealing with the history and development of forensic science.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
July 26, 2018
A fascinating book about the Father of Forensics. Sir Bernard Spilsbury wasn't in it for fame (Even though he got it) and he wasn't in it for the money, in fact part of the reason he was used so much was because he charged so little, he did what he did because of his love of the job, the science and solving the old "whodunit" puzzle.
He drastically changed the face of forensics and the use of medical experts in court. He studied the scene, the body inside and out and the killer meticulously, all findings were documented on little white cards which could then be easily used in future cases. When it came to court he treated the Jury well, he explained things using words they would understand and at times did experiments to show what happened. When cross examined he kept his answers simple and didn't falter in his answers. Because of all this his many cases were won on his words alone.
The book is well written, each chapter starts off giving you a bit of background on what was happening in the world at the time, this gives a nice timeframe of when the cases were being investigated. A few problems I had with the book, it focuses all the murders, all the high profile cases that resulted in a hanging, at the end a few of the many lives he saved by proving their innocence. Also there is too much worshipping by the author, anybody who disagreed with Spilsbury is made into a bad guy here. A bit more balance from the author and I'd have given a higher rating, still this is a great place to start to learn about a real life Sherlock Holmes.
Blog post here: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2018...
He drastically changed the face of forensics and the use of medical experts in court. He studied the scene, the body inside and out and the killer meticulously, all findings were documented on little white cards which could then be easily used in future cases. When it came to court he treated the Jury well, he explained things using words they would understand and at times did experiments to show what happened. When cross examined he kept his answers simple and didn't falter in his answers. Because of all this his many cases were won on his words alone.
The book is well written, each chapter starts off giving you a bit of background on what was happening in the world at the time, this gives a nice timeframe of when the cases were being investigated. A few problems I had with the book, it focuses all the murders, all the high profile cases that resulted in a hanging, at the end a few of the many lives he saved by proving their innocence. Also there is too much worshipping by the author, anybody who disagreed with Spilsbury is made into a bad guy here. A bit more balance from the author and I'd have given a higher rating, still this is a great place to start to learn about a real life Sherlock Holmes.
Blog post here: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2018...
April 3, 2014
Saw this book of my sister's at my gran's house. She'd borrowed it and had just finished reading it, so I quickly swiped it so I could read it before she gave it back ;)
It was certainly an interesting read. Not especially gripping in a murder-mystery kinda way. And I didn't come away feeling like this guy was *that* amazing. I guess he was pretty amazing at the time, and in England. But it felt like saying he was The Father of Forensics was a bit of a stretch. It read more like he was The Father of Expert Witness Testimony. While it does sound like he was a good pathologist (? Is that the right word?) and yes, no doubt ahead of his time, and I'm sure we are grateful today for many of the techniques he developed, I found they rather glossed over the bit in the beginning where they said England was pretty much behind everywhere else when he arrived on the scene.
Guess it was one of those perfect timing situations. The right person with the forthright personality in the right place at the right time. It still is a pretty fascinating read. I suppose we forget how many people most probably got away with crimes even a mere 100 years ago. And I did find it especially interesting how the book discussed how crime began to change ... from people who knew each other (mostly it sounded like people marrying and then offing each other for money) to more random / stranger crimes.
It was certainly an interesting read. Not especially gripping in a murder-mystery kinda way. And I didn't come away feeling like this guy was *that* amazing. I guess he was pretty amazing at the time, and in England. But it felt like saying he was The Father of Forensics was a bit of a stretch. It read more like he was The Father of Expert Witness Testimony. While it does sound like he was a good pathologist (? Is that the right word?) and yes, no doubt ahead of his time, and I'm sure we are grateful today for many of the techniques he developed, I found they rather glossed over the bit in the beginning where they said England was pretty much behind everywhere else when he arrived on the scene.
Guess it was one of those perfect timing situations. The right person with the forthright personality in the right place at the right time. It still is a pretty fascinating read. I suppose we forget how many people most probably got away with crimes even a mere 100 years ago. And I did find it especially interesting how the book discussed how crime began to change ... from people who knew each other (mostly it sounded like people marrying and then offing each other for money) to more random / stranger crimes.
September 19, 2022
A fantastic and interesting read! I’m usually one for reading thrillers, fiction etc. but to learn about the forensics of science (which science, I’m not usually a fan of), and Sir Bernard Spilsbury himself was just honestly fascinating. It’s crazy to think of the impact he had on this subject, the knowledge he had and what he brought/introduced to this world.
May 23, 2014
This is a fascinating book if a bit hard going at times - the reason I say that it is hard going as it does go in to great details of the cases and prosecutions that Bernard Spilsbury was involved with. Now the book is about forensics and its movement from almost pseudo science to the powerful legal tool kit kit is today, however even though the author makes the point that there is little known or published about Bernard Spilsbury this book acts almost as a professional biography.
This book does not go in to great detail of the practices of procedures (for that you want to read books such as proclaimed in blood and forensic fingerprints). This book focuses more on the man who for a while at least became the figurehead for the whole judicial service (you could almost call him the poster boy for his effect on the public and new services when his name becomes attached to a case). Now this does not mean that the science has been dismissed - no there are a lot of insights in to the techniques and discoveries made both in the science community that were employed in the course of an investigation and those already known but are improved and built up on (for example the introduction of the Murder Kit - a kit filled with all the tools and equipment needed to process a murder scene so that any evidence is preserved and documented)
However I think what caught my attention the most was that for a man who was able to almost instantly captivate a court room and who single minded pursued the truth, so little is now known of the man or is in fact attributed to him. This tragedy is made all the more poignant by the fact he did this in the pursuit of his job seeking to neither exploit or profit from his skills.
This book does not go in to great detail of the practices of procedures (for that you want to read books such as proclaimed in blood and forensic fingerprints). This book focuses more on the man who for a while at least became the figurehead for the whole judicial service (you could almost call him the poster boy for his effect on the public and new services when his name becomes attached to a case). Now this does not mean that the science has been dismissed - no there are a lot of insights in to the techniques and discoveries made both in the science community that were employed in the course of an investigation and those already known but are improved and built up on (for example the introduction of the Murder Kit - a kit filled with all the tools and equipment needed to process a murder scene so that any evidence is preserved and documented)
However I think what caught my attention the most was that for a man who was able to almost instantly captivate a court room and who single minded pursued the truth, so little is now known of the man or is in fact attributed to him. This tragedy is made all the more poignant by the fact he did this in the pursuit of his job seeking to neither exploit or profit from his skills.
December 3, 2013
Until I picked up this book I had never heard of Sir Bernard Spilsbury, but in his day he was a household name.
Nowadays the forensic pathologist is commonplace in court and people are well aware of the general types of things that they can do with fingerprints, DNA analysis, projectiles and crime scene investigation. But at the turn of the 19th century the English were well behind their continental cousins with regards to ascertaining the facts behind murders and deaths of people.
Spilsbury was an imposing figure, around 6'2", and he brought to this new discipline a rigour and standard that no one else had had until that point.He was top of his game from four decades, and covered up to 300 cases in a year at times. He developed items like the murder bag that had all the necessary instrument in that a pathologist would need at a crime scene, and he kept detailed records of every case that he worked on.
When in court he explained the facts in clear and simply terms and was responsible for the convictions of many murderers. As his reputation grew he was involved with professional clashes with a couple of other up and coming pathologists. his work ethic meant that he was rarely at home, and in later years his marriage suffered. Towards the end of his life, he suffered a number of person tragedies before dying at the age of 70.
Nowadays the forensic pathologist is commonplace in court and people are well aware of the general types of things that they can do with fingerprints, DNA analysis, projectiles and crime scene investigation. But at the turn of the 19th century the English were well behind their continental cousins with regards to ascertaining the facts behind murders and deaths of people.
Spilsbury was an imposing figure, around 6'2", and he brought to this new discipline a rigour and standard that no one else had had until that point.He was top of his game from four decades, and covered up to 300 cases in a year at times. He developed items like the murder bag that had all the necessary instrument in that a pathologist would need at a crime scene, and he kept detailed records of every case that he worked on.
When in court he explained the facts in clear and simply terms and was responsible for the convictions of many murderers. As his reputation grew he was involved with professional clashes with a couple of other up and coming pathologists. his work ethic meant that he was rarely at home, and in later years his marriage suffered. Towards the end of his life, he suffered a number of person tragedies before dying at the age of 70.
April 1, 2025
Not really a biography of Spilsbury and not as much about the development of forensic science as I expected, more a "true crime" recounting of his murder cases, some famous like the "brides in the bath" and Armstrong the arsenic murderer, others less well known.
March 14, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book though I must admit to skimming the excruciatingly detailed parts about the background of the legal aspects of the cases. I get it, Sir Spilsbury was *the* go to guy for expert testimony. No need to reiterate it over and over.
This book would have been greatly improved by focusing more on what happened with the murders and how Spilsbury found compelling evidence one way or the other and less on details about the trials.
This book would have been greatly improved by focusing more on what happened with the murders and how Spilsbury found compelling evidence one way or the other and less on details about the trials.
July 1, 2016
I'm one of those people who spends more time than anyone should admit watching Forensic Files. Not to mention plenty of fake or "based on real events" crime shows, like CSI and Criminal Minds. I never got heavy into Law & Order but I've watched some of that, too. Oh and how could I forget true crime miniseries like The Jinx and Making a Murderer, and the only podcast I've ever really listened to is the first season of Serial about Adnan Syed and Hae Min Lee. I eat that shit up.
At some point I felt like I needed to get into some serious non-fiction about forensics, not just because I'm interested in it, but also because I want a better understanding of it, not just a fictionalized or potentially biased portrayal, more than the average pop science understanding of DNA and fingerprints and the like. I think I found The Father of Forensics on a GR or Amazon list of forensics and true crime books, and it turned out to be a really nice find, though I admittedly held off on reading it for awhile because you never know with this kind of book - I was worried it would be a bit dry. But not at all!
Bernard Spilsbury was a huge player in forensics and crime for a wealth of reasons - and not just his pathology, though that was his area of expertise and employment. He also introduced the murder bag to law enforcement to help train law enforcement and reduce contamination and destruction of evidence at a crime scene, and had a huge impact on trial methods, as he was one of the first quintessential expert witnesses, because he was able to explain the science in a way that the average layman (or jury person, as it were) could understand - complete with visual supplements, and because of his unflappable confidence in himself and his methods, as well as his rigorous note-taking.
Evans employs a fantastic means of narrating Spilsbury's life and achievements through his cases. Each chapter looks at one of Spilsbury's most famous cases, and puts it in the context of any major scientific developments or achievements Spilsbury reached through the case, what the greater significance of the case was to forensics, science, or law, and to Spilsbury's career and life (though spoiler alert his career was his life, essentially). Evans uses a pretty even-handed tone, and doesn't shy from discussing Spilsbury's more contested/debated results and cases (I mean, this was before DNA, so evidence can only be so infallible here).
For anyone looking to further their knowledge in this area, this is a great book to get into.
At some point I felt like I needed to get into some serious non-fiction about forensics, not just because I'm interested in it, but also because I want a better understanding of it, not just a fictionalized or potentially biased portrayal, more than the average pop science understanding of DNA and fingerprints and the like. I think I found The Father of Forensics on a GR or Amazon list of forensics and true crime books, and it turned out to be a really nice find, though I admittedly held off on reading it for awhile because you never know with this kind of book - I was worried it would be a bit dry. But not at all!
Bernard Spilsbury was a huge player in forensics and crime for a wealth of reasons - and not just his pathology, though that was his area of expertise and employment. He also introduced the murder bag to law enforcement to help train law enforcement and reduce contamination and destruction of evidence at a crime scene, and had a huge impact on trial methods, as he was one of the first quintessential expert witnesses, because he was able to explain the science in a way that the average layman (or jury person, as it were) could understand - complete with visual supplements, and because of his unflappable confidence in himself and his methods, as well as his rigorous note-taking.
Evans employs a fantastic means of narrating Spilsbury's life and achievements through his cases. Each chapter looks at one of Spilsbury's most famous cases, and puts it in the context of any major scientific developments or achievements Spilsbury reached through the case, what the greater significance of the case was to forensics, science, or law, and to Spilsbury's career and life (though spoiler alert his career was his life, essentially). Evans uses a pretty even-handed tone, and doesn't shy from discussing Spilsbury's more contested/debated results and cases (I mean, this was before DNA, so evidence can only be so infallible here).
For anyone looking to further their knowledge in this area, this is a great book to get into.
September 17, 2013
Another excellent book about the history of forensic pathology from Colin Evans. Instead of a compilation of cases, like his other works I've been reading, this one focuses solely on one practitioner, Sir Bernard Spilsbury. Like many Victorian men, he threw himself into his work wholeheartedly and became a leader in the developing field of forensic pathology. Several cases are covered over the course of his career including Hawley Harvey Crippen, the "Brides in the Bath" killer George Joseph Smith, Voisin, Herbert Rowse Armstrong, Patrick Mahon, Norman Thorne, Sidney Fox, Alfred Rouse, Tony Mancini, Frederick Nodder, and the "Wartime Ripper" Gordon Cummins. Unfortunately, there's not much about Spilsbury's personal life mentioned, but it sounds like he didn't have much of one to comment upon. His death reflects this problem perfectly as he chose to take his own life shortly after becoming nearly so debilitated with age and ailments that he could no longer work. A legend in his own right, Spilsbury will always be remembered for his contributions to British jurisprudence and his infallibility and complete honesty on the stand as an expert witness.
September 16, 2018
Biography of Sir Bernard Spilsbury. Does what it says on the tin.
Since Spilsbury was a man consumed by his work, it's not surprising that the most interesting aspect of the book is Evans' discussion of the cases Spilsbury testified in, from George Joseph Smith (the Brides in the Bath man) and Hawley Harvey Crippen to the Wartime Ripper, Gordon Cummins. Evans writes very clearly, both about the murders and about the forensics of catching the killers, and he's very careful to include discussion of cases where Spilsbury was uncertain or wrong, to refute the image of Spilsbury as an infallible monolith. He also talks about Spilsbury's courtroom performance, how his certainty in his conclusions infected juries for thirty years.
This was a good book (four stars), but not a great book (definitely not five stars), and I'm trying to figure out what was missing. I don't know if it's that Evans' prose feels a little facile (and he uses section headers in his chapters, which, I dunno) or that for all that this is a carefully even-handed biography, it feels shallow ... there's something that could be there and isn't.
Since Spilsbury was a man consumed by his work, it's not surprising that the most interesting aspect of the book is Evans' discussion of the cases Spilsbury testified in, from George Joseph Smith (the Brides in the Bath man) and Hawley Harvey Crippen to the Wartime Ripper, Gordon Cummins. Evans writes very clearly, both about the murders and about the forensics of catching the killers, and he's very careful to include discussion of cases where Spilsbury was uncertain or wrong, to refute the image of Spilsbury as an infallible monolith. He also talks about Spilsbury's courtroom performance, how his certainty in his conclusions infected juries for thirty years.
This was a good book (four stars), but not a great book (definitely not five stars), and I'm trying to figure out what was missing. I don't know if it's that Evans' prose feels a little facile (and he uses section headers in his chapters, which, I dunno) or that for all that this is a carefully even-handed biography, it feels shallow ... there's something that could be there and isn't.
March 23, 2016
Interesting biography into the life and times of Spilsbury and his impact in convincing judges, jurors and the press on the value of forensic evidence, especially when given by an expert with great honesty, an ability to relay complex medical issues to laymen and who had impeccable honesty. His later years where quite sad.
July 31, 2008
I'd heard of Sir Spilsbury before as I'd read true crime books mainly dealing with British murders ie Dr Crippen.
This book focuses on some of his most famous cases, and his professional career.
Fascinating book about a fascinating man.
This book focuses on some of his most famous cases, and his professional career.
Fascinating book about a fascinating man.
November 15, 2018
I found this book to be really interesting. As someone who worked a bit in pathology, I'm always interested in learning about forensics. Spilsbury set the pace for everyone who came after him. He dealt with some of the most important cases at the turn of the 20th century. Many of these cases I was familar with already, but this book provided more info on how these murderers were caught and prosecuted. Prosecution could always count on Spilsbury to provide evidence in court that could stand up in court. He was a very intense man, who was dedicated to his job. He did all the work without the use of machines. He performed the autopsies, went to the scenes where victims died, followed the trails without the use of interns. They didn't have access to DNA or polymerase chain reactions back then, so there was a lot more physical work involved.
It was fascinating to read about these cases from the standpoint of the forensics. Definitely a good book for people interested in going into forensics. My only complaint is the writing got a little dry sometimes. There were periods of intense interest, and then it dried up again. But a good book nonetheless.
It was fascinating to read about these cases from the standpoint of the forensics. Definitely a good book for people interested in going into forensics. My only complaint is the writing got a little dry sometimes. There were periods of intense interest, and then it dried up again. But a good book nonetheless.
March 17, 2020
Jolly Good Read
Exceedingly interesting and well written, I'm not a great fan of biographies but this book blends biographical detail with case histories which makes for an easier read. If I have one complaint it is that the cases mentioned in the epilogue weren't included in the main body of the book, the individuals Spilsbury saved from the gallows are as interesting as those he condemned to it.
Exceedingly interesting and well written, I'm not a great fan of biographies but this book blends biographical detail with case histories which makes for an easier read. If I have one complaint it is that the cases mentioned in the epilogue weren't included in the main body of the book, the individuals Spilsbury saved from the gallows are as interesting as those he condemned to it.
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March 7, 2025Well researched nonfiction account of Sir Bernard Spilsbury's effect on the courtroom, the scientific community, and the public of Great Britain. Interesting cases (the man that killed via vasovagal syncope! like I can't imagine solving that now let alone then) and he certainly was a one man machine but the book ends with a dreary wrap up- the changing world of crime from buttoned-up Victorian era to strangers violently killing strangers, which seems to still be true today.
April 4, 2025
Fascinating Biography and Science
The life of Sue Bernard Spilsbury was unique in many way, but particularly because of the times he lived in. This book offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the development of both forensic pathology and modern police practice. While a bit gruesome in places, this book never sensationalized the tragedies Spilsbury was called upon to untangle, and I enjoyed this book very much.
The life of Sue Bernard Spilsbury was unique in many way, but particularly because of the times he lived in. This book offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the development of both forensic pathology and modern police practice. While a bit gruesome in places, this book never sensationalized the tragedies Spilsbury was called upon to untangle, and I enjoyed this book very much.
June 13, 2021
Excellent
The beginnings of forensics in England. Absolutely fascinating.
As an Agatha Christie admirer I enjoyed reading about her "era".
Crippen, and the" Brides In The Bath murders to the "Brighton Trunk Murders. It also covers the
" Blackout Ripper". Detailed, honest and fascinating.
The beginnings of forensics in England. Absolutely fascinating.
As an Agatha Christie admirer I enjoyed reading about her "era".
Crippen, and the" Brides In The Bath murders to the "Brighton Trunk Murders. It also covers the
" Blackout Ripper". Detailed, honest and fascinating.
August 2, 2019
Those with an interest in forensics will enjoy this book. The history is framed around some of the more sensational cases Sir Spilsbury worked on. It is also partly a social history of the early 20th century. Very enjoyable special interest biography.
November 18, 2025
An anthology of UK murders of the early 20th century, serving as a professional biography of Sir Bernard Spilsbury. Serviceable but disconnected, though his complete devotion to his work and lack of input by anyone close to him keeps him as an enigma to the reader.
August 8, 2017
An absolutely fascinating read
March 29, 2020
Well researched and interesting. This used a varied range of cases that are not the ones usually drawn from.
September 4, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, though it was a bit gory at times. Interesting portrait of the development of forensics from Victorian times until the late 1940’s.
December 3, 2022
Really vibed
April 29, 2025
I don’t usually read nonfiction but I randomly picked this up at the library and unexpectedly loved it :))
August 15, 2025
A great read
April 7, 2021
Bernard Spilsbury was the first truly professional pathologist to work in the field and he established many of the principles of the modern science of medical crime detection. Working at the very frontier of the science of his day, for half a century from 1900 onwards, Spilsbury bestrode both the laboratory and the courtroom like a colossus. His lucid, factual, uncompromisingly truthful testimony put the noose around the necks of some of the most brutal, cold-hearted and sanguinary killers of British history, condemning them to short shrift and a high gallows: Crippen, Armstrong, Seddon, The Crumbles, Rouse, Thorne, the Brides in the Baths, the macabre Trunk Murders are names that echo in the halls of infamy and still adorn Scotland Yard's infamous 'Black Museum'. This amazing yet lonely man, who performed over 25,000 post mortem examinations in the course of his workaholic career, was a household name in Britain and around the world, thanks to the macabre glee with which the contemporary news media devoured and regaled every detail of his investigations and evidence to the public. The knowledge that Spilsbury was appearing for the prosection was enough to make the UK's most celebrated legal defence teams quail. His first exploit, identifying the victim from a putrescent boneless pile of meat, fat and skin that had been buried in lime for six months in a cellar, launched a career that has never been equalled. There are several books on the life and achievements of Sir Bernard Spilsbury, of which the best are probably the original 'Bernard Spilsbury, his life and cases' by Douglas Browne, a positively gothic work published in the 1950s (which chilled my blood as a young boy, especially as one of the most celebrated murders took place in the town I then lived in, not far away from my home, but half a century earlier) and the more contemporary and racy (though slightly less chilling) 'The Father of Forensics' by Colin Evans. Both have their virtues, and are equally worth reading. Afficionadoes of crime detection, fact or fiction, will be gripped by either work, and their portrayals of this real-life but cold and aloof forensic pioneer. Embarking on his career at the very dawn of fingerprinting and other modern detection techniques, Spilsbury helped develop Scotland Yard's famous 'crime bag', some of the early principles of crime scene preservation and the first multi-disciplinary forensic laboratory. His career inspired subsequent giants of forensics like Keith Simpson and Francis Camps. Spilsbury's knighthood for his service to Britains' Home Office and to British Justice over decades, speaks of the high regard in which he was held by his contemporaries. While he himself would never have laid claim to infallibility, Bernard Spilsbury was as close as one gets to the perfect crime fighter, a real-life Sherlock Holmes with an extraodinary eye for detail and an utterly meticulous approach to his task, despite the always malodorous, often revolting, conditions in which he had to work. I would put the story of this man's life above any work of fiction in the crime genre.
February 9, 2023
The Father of Forensics. The Life and Cases of sir Bernard Spilsbury. Colin Evans
Een interessante aanvulling op Lethal Witness van Andrew Rose, dat ik recent las. De aanpak van de 2 auteurs is wel wat verschillend: de nadruk bij Rose (zelf een jurist) ligt op het juridische, met veel aandacht voor de processen zelf, en de getuigenissen van Spilsbury. Evans focust meer op het pure onderzoekswerk door de politie, de bijgeroepen artsen, Spilsbury, en zijn forensische collega’s in ballistiek, toxicologie en zelfs brandexpertise. Evans beperkt zich ook tot een veel kleiner aantal gevallen dan Rose. Vaak zijn het de meest bekende, die hij dan wel veel meer in detail uit de doeken doet, en waarbij toch ook soms de woordelijke verslagen van de getuigenverklaringen ten berde komen.
Het levensverhaal van Spilsbury, dat ruim aan bod kwam bij Rose, wordt hier slechts summier vermeld. Toch krijgen we een belangrijke episode mee, die door Rose dan weer slechts vluchtig aangeraakt wordt: het vertrek van Spilsbury uit St Mary’s Hospital, waar hij 20 jaar gewerkt had, naar St Bartholomew’s, en dit na een relatief onbeduidende onenigheid met een collega. Spilsbury eiste vergeefs excuses van die collega, en sleepte de zaak voor de beheerraad van de kliniek, waar hij uiteindelijk gelijk kreeg. Maar zijn besluit om te vertrekken stond toen al vast. Toch een voorbeeld van zijn koppigheid, die ook door Rose aan de kaak gesteld wordt.
Terwijl Rose erg kritisch is voor Spilsbury (misschien zelfs iets té), is Evans meer genuanceerd, zonder mee te doen aan de hagiografie rond Spilsbury’s persoon, die ontstond rond 1915 – 1920 en voor velen nooit opgehouden is. Met name vermeldt Evans een aantal gevallen waarin Spilsbury, opgeroepen door de procureur, getuigenis gaf die uiteindelijk tot de vrijspraak leidde. Dus toch niet altijd de Lethal Witness van Rose. Ook was Spilsbury niet altijd de betweter waar Rose hem voor houdt. Als het niet mogelijk was een doodsoorzaak met zekerheid te achterhalen, gaf hij dat ook gewoon toe. Maar eens hij overtuigd was van zijn inzichten, was hij ook onwankelbaar koppig.
Een interessante aanvulling op Lethal Witness van Andrew Rose, dat ik recent las. De aanpak van de 2 auteurs is wel wat verschillend: de nadruk bij Rose (zelf een jurist) ligt op het juridische, met veel aandacht voor de processen zelf, en de getuigenissen van Spilsbury. Evans focust meer op het pure onderzoekswerk door de politie, de bijgeroepen artsen, Spilsbury, en zijn forensische collega’s in ballistiek, toxicologie en zelfs brandexpertise. Evans beperkt zich ook tot een veel kleiner aantal gevallen dan Rose. Vaak zijn het de meest bekende, die hij dan wel veel meer in detail uit de doeken doet, en waarbij toch ook soms de woordelijke verslagen van de getuigenverklaringen ten berde komen.
Het levensverhaal van Spilsbury, dat ruim aan bod kwam bij Rose, wordt hier slechts summier vermeld. Toch krijgen we een belangrijke episode mee, die door Rose dan weer slechts vluchtig aangeraakt wordt: het vertrek van Spilsbury uit St Mary’s Hospital, waar hij 20 jaar gewerkt had, naar St Bartholomew’s, en dit na een relatief onbeduidende onenigheid met een collega. Spilsbury eiste vergeefs excuses van die collega, en sleepte de zaak voor de beheerraad van de kliniek, waar hij uiteindelijk gelijk kreeg. Maar zijn besluit om te vertrekken stond toen al vast. Toch een voorbeeld van zijn koppigheid, die ook door Rose aan de kaak gesteld wordt.
Terwijl Rose erg kritisch is voor Spilsbury (misschien zelfs iets té), is Evans meer genuanceerd, zonder mee te doen aan de hagiografie rond Spilsbury’s persoon, die ontstond rond 1915 – 1920 en voor velen nooit opgehouden is. Met name vermeldt Evans een aantal gevallen waarin Spilsbury, opgeroepen door de procureur, getuigenis gaf die uiteindelijk tot de vrijspraak leidde. Dus toch niet altijd de Lethal Witness van Rose. Ook was Spilsbury niet altijd de betweter waar Rose hem voor houdt. Als het niet mogelijk was een doodsoorzaak met zekerheid te achterhalen, gaf hij dat ook gewoon toe. Maar eens hij overtuigd was van zijn inzichten, was hij ook onwankelbaar koppig.
December 21, 2013
A fascinating collection of cases from the early 20th century, detailing how Sir Spilsbury helped define the role of pathology in modern murder investigations. The writing style was good, though I got the sense that the author may be American by some of the turns of phrased used throughout the book. If he is in fact British, then this must be a deliberate way to appeal to American readers, particularly with the title Modern Csi. I did find the author a touch too in awe of Spilsbury. Too high a pedestal for my liking. He had his faults, and there are queries into whether some defendants may have been found guilty erroneously due to the weight of Spilsbury's testament. He was only human after all, and mistakes are made. Great read though.
May 3, 2012
Reading this book makes one wonder just how many sinister people have indeed gotten away with murder. If there is not someone around like Spilsbury who can put the pieces (no pun intended) together, murder may go unsolved & unpunished. The writers for CSI (NY, LA, Miami, Antarctica...etc etc etc) need only study this book for many potential scripts. One aside: I read the "Kindle Edition" and there were no photos (not even cover art). This seems to be the kind of book that could potentially have some very interesting old photos. Does anyone know if the paper copy has them? That's one of my peeves with the Kindle folks. Photos & maps really do add a lot to books on historical subjects.
September 9, 2010
Sir Bernard Spilsbury investigated a lot of cases and this is the story of his life and how he made immense advances in the field. It's also an account of his personality, by all accounts a formidable one. It details the mistakes he occasionally made and the consequences of that (at least, I think that's in this book. I have a few and that's in one of them, but I can't actually tell which one off the top of my head).
It's an interesting account of both the advances in forensics and getting the science and the evidence accepted legally as well as the personality behind that.
It's an interesting account of both the advances in forensics and getting the science and the evidence accepted legally as well as the personality behind that.
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