Available from the British Library Thesis Service

Available from the British Library Thesis Service

This book covers the 170-year history of Scotland Yard since its inception by Sir Robert Peel in 1829. It profiles the activities of key parts of the organisation, including the establishment of the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory. This section begins with the opening of the Laboratory at the Hendon Police College in 1935 and details the development of forensic science over the years. When the Laboratory opened it had a staff of six; in 1996 it had 600. Today it is part of the national Forensic Science Service with over 2000 staff. The chapter also mentions some of the major contributors to forensic science like Margaret Pereira, Bryan Culliford, David Ellen, Ken Creer MBE and Dr Frances Lewington MBE. Ken gained his MBE for his contribution to forensic photography and in particular the use of development of laser photography. Frances received hers for her work with forensic medical examiners and significantly for the introduction of Victim Examination Suites.

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This book accompanied a BBC TV series, first broadcast in 1995, of the same name. It gives an examination of forensic science, which ranges from the origins of blood and fingerprint detection to today's reliance on `expert witnesses', DNA tests and the misuse and misunderstanding of forensic evidence. A few key cases, covering such crimes as serial murders, financial fraud and the international drug trade from around the world are interwoven with historical research. (OUT OF PRINT)