Suggestions for good Forensic history books?? - Page 2

crich70 · 10-28-2014, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Although it's not "history", crich, I'd recommend reading R. Austin Freeman's "Doctor Thorndyke" books, all of which are available (uploaded by me) in the MR Library. Thorndyke is a lawyer and medical doctor, and an early practitioner of what today would be called "forensic science". The novels, although fiction, give an excellent picture of how scientific investigations were conducted in the late 19th / early 20th centuries.

Thanks for the suggestion Harry. I hadn't thought of Dr. Thorndyke. And thank you for putting the collections up here at MR.

Pulpmeister · 10-31-2014, 05:26 AM

There are quite a few good books on forensic science and its evolution, some of them biographies. I recall reading a biography of Sir Bernard Spilsbury years ago, which also contrived to be a history of one aspect of forensic science. Absorbing, and doesn't skimp on his failings, which can happen when you get a "superstar" expert. If Spilsbury said so, it must be true...

And I read "The Blooding" too, and while I'm no great fan of Wambaugh, this particular book was gripping and very well done. Not to be missed if you are interested in early DNA science applied to crime. Recommended.

There was also a two-volume set of books on forensic science by an author with a German name, a name which at this moment completely escapes me. I wish I could remember (a diminishing of the efficiency of my little grey cells perhaps, or the effects of the 330 ml bottle of Stella Artois I just finished). It would date from the 60s or thereabouts and is obviously now obsolete, but perfect if you want to write a crime novel with forensic science overtones set in that period. I recall reading both volumes way back, and being fascinated.

Pulpmeister · 10-31-2014, 05:59 AM

Aha! That Stella Artois worked. The Century of the Detective, by Jurgen Thorwald.

Ws wsn · 11-14-2014, 10:50 PM

Surgeons at the Bailey - read it about 20 years ago and it was very good history. My father in law was a noted forensic pathologist and he really enjoyed it. Don't know if there is an ebook version

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10-31-2014, 05:26 AM	#17
Pulpmeister Wizard Posts: 2,827 Karma: 29145056 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Device: kindle	There are quite a few good books on forensic science and its evolution, some of them biographies. I recall reading a biography of Sir Bernard Spilsbury years ago, which also contrived to be a history of one aspect of forensic science. Absorbing, and doesn't skimp on his failings, which can happen when you get a "superstar" expert. If Spilsbury said so, it must be true... And I read "The Blooding" too, and while I'm no great fan of Wambaugh, this particular book was gripping and very well done. Not to be missed if you are interested in early DNA science applied to crime. Recommended. There was also a two-volume set of books on forensic science by an author with a German name, a name which at this moment completely escapes me. I wish I could remember (a diminishing of the efficiency of my little grey cells perhaps, or the effects of the 330 ml bottle of Stella Artois I just finished). It would date from the 60s or thereabouts and is obviously now obsolete, but perfect if you want to write a crime novel with forensic science overtones set in that period. I recall reading both volumes way back, and being fascinated.

10-31-2014, 05:59 AM	#18
Pulpmeister Wizard Posts: 2,827 Karma: 29145056 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Device: kindle	Aha! That Stella Artois worked. The Century of the Detective, by Jurgen Thorwald.

11-14-2014, 10:50 PM	#19
Ws wsn Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2014 Device: Kindle	Surgeons at the Bailey - read it about 20 years ago and it was very good history. My father in law was a noted forensic pathologist and he really enjoyed it. Don't know if there is an ebook version

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