The Father of Forensics : The Groundbreaking Cases of Sir Bernard Spilsbury, and the Beginnings of 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, relentlessly 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 Pathologist 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, Relentlessly Exposed Discrepancies Between Witness Testimony And Factual Evidence, And, Most Importantly, Convicted Dozens Of Murderers With Hard-nosed, Scientific Proof. This Is The 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.--jacket. A Conspicuous Beginning -- The Pathologist At War -- The Butcher Of Soho -- Arsenic Among The Weeds -- The Human Jigsaw -- A Question Of Suicide -- Under Siege -- A Slightly Imperfect Murder -- Trunk Calls -- The Dark Decade. Colin Evans. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 314-315) And Index. Title Page Copyright Page Acknowledgements Foreword Introduction CHAPTER ONE - A Conspicuous Beginning CHAPTER TWO - The Pathologist at War CHAPTER THREE - The Butcher of Soho CHAPTER FOUR - Arsenic Among the Weeds CHAPTER FIVE - The Human Jigsaw CHAPTER SIX - A Question of Suicide CHAPTER SEVEN - Under Siege CHAPTER EIGHT - A Slightly Imperfect Murder CHAPTER NINE - Trunk Calls CHAPTER TEN - The Dark Decade Afterword Bibliography Index Traces the career of pioneering medical detective Sir Bernard Spilsbury, the father of modern forensic investigation, who, through cutting-edge scientific techniques transformed criminal investigation, in a study that chronicles some of his most important cases.