The grisly history of forensics – by crime writer Val McDermid
Blood-sucking flies, exhumed stomachs and DNA profiling – the tools of forensic science have, over the centuries, solved many a gruesome murder
In the public mind, forensic science means cutting-edge technology: well-equipped professionals performing complex experiments in glossy laboratories, as in CSI or Silent Witness. In fact, the real story of forensics is full of courtroom disasters, eccentric pioneers, crowd-pleasing showmen and dangerous (sometimes fatal) research.
For years, authorities and individuals have known that there was more to crime than just testimony: that the scene of the crime, or a murder weapon, or even a few drops of blood, could also bear witness to the truth. The first recorded use of forensics in the solution of a crime comes from a Chinese handbook for coroners called The Washing Away of Wrongs, produced in 1247. One of the many case studies it contains follows the investigation of a roadside stabbing. The coroner examined the slashes on the victim’s body, then tested an assortment of blades on a cow carcass. He concluded that the murder weapon was a sickle. But knowing what caused the wounds was a long way from identifying whose hand had wielded the blade, so he turned to possible motives. The victim’s possessions were intact, which ruled out robbery. According to his widow, he had no enemies. The best lead was the revelation that the victim hadn’t been able to satisfy a man who had recently demanded the repayment of a debt.
• This is an extract from Val McDermid’s Forensics: The Anatomy of Crime is published by Profile at £18.99 on 2 October 2014.
To order a copy for £14.99, visit guardianbookshop.co.uk or call 0330 333 6846. A major forensics exhibition will be held at the Wellcome Collection, London NW1, in February 2015.
Perth: Monday 22 September 6.30pm – 7.30pm Val McDermid on The Skeleton Road at UWA Perth Venue: The University Club of Western Australia Theatre Auditorium, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley Ticket price: $29 For more details contact UWA on (08) 6488 2433 or book directly.
Melbourne: Wednesday 24 September 6.00pm – 8pm Tartan Noir Crime Queen, Val McDermid at the Melbourne Comedy Club Host: Sisters in Crime and the Athenaeum Library Venue: Comedy Club, 2nd Floor (above Athenaeum Library) 188 Collins Street, Melbourne Ticket price: $15/$10 (members of Sisters in Crime, Writers Victoria & the Athenaeum Library/concession) For more details and to book, visit sistersincrime.org.au
Brisbane: Friday 26 September 12.30pm – 2.30pm Val McDermid at the Grand View Hotel Venue: The Grandview Hotel 49 North Street, Cleveland For more details and to book, contact GVH on (07) 3286 1002
Sydney: Monday 29 September 7.00pm – 8.30pm Psychology and Crime: Val McDermid in conversation with Michael Robotham Venue: The Eternity Playhouse 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst For more details and to book, visit swf.org.au
Scottish crime writer Val McDermid has come out in favour of a Yes vote in September’s independence referendum.
The Fife-born author revealed her support for a vote for independence in The Guardian newspaper. Ms McDermid from Kirkcaldy sees a marked difference in policies flowing from Holyrood compared to Westminster.
The avid Raith Rovers fan said: “The only basis I could find for making a choice is to look at the track record of what the Scottish Parliament has done differently from Westminster since we’ve had some power restored to us.
“And, overwhelmingly, I prefer what we’ve done north of the border — free prescriptions, no student tuition fees, social care for elderly people. So, with a degree of trepidation, I’m going to nail my colours to the mast of aspiration and vote ‘Yes’.
