Cause of Death: The Story of Forensic Science

by Frank Smyth

Uses case studies to trace the development of techniques used by pathologists, chemists, toxicologists, and ballistics experts to determine cause of death

Genres: True Crime

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Migs421]

A fascinating time capsule of medico-legal history. This book is must read for lovers of true crime, history or forensoc science.

Smyth maps out the births and volution of various forensic techniques used to solve crimes and capture criminals, throught the lens of famous cases and the pioneers driving the methods: ballistics, toxicologyand fingerprinting.

The book is incredibly accessible, with Smyth providing clear and at times visual explanations of the methods involved.

Pre-DNA profiling, you get a deeper insight in the methods that were successful in solving cases long before the advancement of science. Instead, we see the benefits logic, simole chmistry and microscopes were.

However, it should be boted this book is a product of it's time. There is use of some unsavoury language used, that definitely would not slide today.

It’s gritty, compelling, and gives you a profound appreciation for the roots of modern criminal investigation.

[Tatyana]

Great book ! A must for forensic professionals.