An Expert Witness

From the UK's foremost forensic expert and bestselling author, known for works like "All That Remains" and "Written in Bone," comes an engaging examination of forensic science through real and often startling cases. This exploration evaluates the successes, shortcomings, and future of the field, with no one communicating scientific insights better than Val McDermid, the acclaimed writer behind the Detective Karen Pirie series.Professor Dame Sue Black, who has spent over four decades analyzing top-level criminal evidence, standing as an expert witness in British courts, offers a remarkable perspective on the intersection of science and justice. "An Expert Witness" scrutinizes forensic science's evolution, beginning with early identification techniques to modern advancements such as DNA profiling, the author's research on vein identification, and the emerging influence of artificial intelligence in investigations.Black illustrates instances where forensic science has served justice effectively, as well as cases of devastating failure, including the wrongful conviction of Andrew Malkinson, wrongfully imprisoned for seventeen years. Reflecting on her career as an expert witness, she revisits significant cases to narrate forensic science's story, ponder its future, and highlight why this book concludes a notable chapter in her distinguished career.Acclaim for Sue Black echoes her grip from the first page, weaving real-life case intricacies with captivating narrative drive, as noted by forensic pathologist Dr. Richard Shepherd. The Financial Times calls her work engrossing, while Lee Child, famed for the Reacher series, appreciates her tender approach to life and death, underscored by immaculate scientific clarity. As a blend of reflection, popular science, and memoir, Black's precise and compassionate writing style breathes life into the seemingly morbid, earning high praise from sources like the Sunday Times and Evening Standard. Readers, including Ruth Davidson, find themselves enthralled, as Sue Black masterfully animates blood and bones through her fascinating narrative.