Forensics - The Anatomy Of Crime

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Secrets From The Dead

20141110

20141111 (R4)

Bestselling crime author Val McDermid has long been fascinated with forensic science. Now she delves into the medical archives to discover the secrets of this incredible field.

The dead talk. To the right listener, they tell us all about themselves: where they came from, who they are, how they lived, how they died - and who killed them. Through forensic medicine, a corpse, the scene of a crime or a single hair can reveal the secrets that hold the truth and allow justice to be done. But how much do we really understand about forensics? What is it like to be a SCO (Scene of Crime Operative)? Attend an autopsy? Where did it come from? How reliable are its proofs?

Val McDermid - author of The Wire in the Blood and The Vanishing Point - delves into medical archives including interviews with scientists to answer these questions, exploring as far back as the murder of Julius Caesar and early recorded forensic science in thirteenth century China as well as famous modern cases.

Read by Val McDermid

Abridged by Sian Preece

Producer: Allegra McIlroy

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.

Crime writer Val McDermid delves into the history and development of forensic science.

Entomology And Pathology

20141111

20141112 (R4)

Entomology and Pathology - from a Chinese criminal investigation in 1247 to the case of Dr Crippen.

Bestselling crime author Val McDermid is fascinated by forensic science - the secrets it can reveal and the way it has altered the processes of justice. She delves into medical archives including interviews with scientists, exploring as far back as the murder of Julius Ceasar and early recorded forensic science in 13th century China as well as famous modern cases.

Read by Val McDermid

Abridged by Sian Preece

Producer: Allegra McIlroy

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.

Entomology and Pathology. Crime writer Val McDermid reads from her book on forensics.

Crime Scene Investigation

20141112

20141113 (R4)

Val explores the astonishing developments in Crime Scene Investigation through fingerprinting and DNA evidence.

Read by Val McDermid

Abridged by Sian Preece

Producer: Allegra McIlroy

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.

Val McDermid explores how DNA evidence has transformed modern criminal investigations.

Digital Forensics

20141113

20141114 (R4)

Val hears about the use of Anthropology, Facial Reconstruction and Digital Forensics in Crime Scene Investigations - from The Sausage King of Chicago' in 1897 to the investigation of contemporary war crimes.

Read by Val McDermid

Abridged by Sian Preece

Producer: Allegra McIlroy

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.

How anthropology and facial reconstruction aid criminal investigations. Val McDermid reads

05 LAST

Fiction Connection

20141114

20141115 (R4)

Val reveals her personal interest in forensic science and how her research connects with her fiction.

Read by Val McDermid

Abridged by Sian Preece

Producer: Allegra McIlroy

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014.

Val McDermid reveals how her fascination with forensic science connects with her fiction.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Secrets From The Dead	20141110	20141111 (R4)	Bestselling crime author Val McDermid has long been fascinated with forensic science. Now she delves into the medical archives to discover the secrets of this incredible field. The dead talk. To the right listener, they tell us all about themselves: where they came from, who they are, how they lived, how they died - and who killed them. Through forensic medicine, a corpse, the scene of a crime or a single hair can reveal the secrets that hold the truth and allow justice to be done. But how much do we really understand about forensics? What is it like to be a SCO (Scene of Crime Operative)? Attend an autopsy? Where did it come from? How reliable are its proofs? Val McDermid - author of The Wire in the Blood and The Vanishing Point - delves into medical archives including interviews with scientists to answer these questions, exploring as far back as the murder of Julius Caesar and early recorded forensic science in thirteenth century China as well as famous modern cases. Read by Val McDermid Abridged by Sian Preece Producer: Allegra McIlroy First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014. Crime writer Val McDermid delves into the history and development of forensic science.
02	Entomology And Pathology	20141111	20141112 (R4)	Entomology and Pathology - from a Chinese criminal investigation in 1247 to the case of Dr Crippen. Bestselling crime author Val McDermid is fascinated by forensic science - the secrets it can reveal and the way it has altered the processes of justice. She delves into medical archives including interviews with scientists, exploring as far back as the murder of Julius Ceasar and early recorded forensic science in 13th century China as well as famous modern cases. Read by Val McDermid Abridged by Sian Preece Producer: Allegra McIlroy First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014. Entomology and Pathology. Crime writer Val McDermid reads from her book on forensics.
03	Crime Scene Investigation	20141112	20141113 (R4)	Val explores the astonishing developments in Crime Scene Investigation through fingerprinting and DNA evidence. Bestselling crime author Val McDermid is fascinated by forensic science - the secrets it can reveal and the way it has altered the processes of justice. She delves into medical archives including interviews with scientists, exploring as far back as the murder of Julius Ceasar and early recorded forensic science in 13th century China as well as famous modern cases. Read by Val McDermid Abridged by Sian Preece Producer: Allegra McIlroy First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014. Val McDermid explores how DNA evidence has transformed modern criminal investigations.
04	Digital Forensics	20141113	20141114 (R4)	Val hears about the use of Anthropology, Facial Reconstruction and Digital Forensics in Crime Scene Investigations - from The Sausage King of Chicago' in 1897 to the investigation of contemporary war crimes. Bestselling crime author Val McDermid is fascinated by forensic science - the secrets it can reveal and the way it has altered the processes of justice. She delves into medical archives including interviews with scientists, exploring as far back as the murder of Julius Ceasar and early recorded forensic science in 13th century China as well as famous modern cases. Read by Val McDermid Abridged by Sian Preece Producer: Allegra McIlroy First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014. How anthropology and facial reconstruction aid criminal investigations. Val McDermid reads
05 LAST	Fiction Connection	20141114	20141115 (R4)	Val reveals her personal interest in forensic science and how her research connects with her fiction. Bestselling crime author Val McDermid is fascinated by forensic science - the secrets it can reveal and the way it has altered the processes of justice. She delves into medical archives including interviews with scientists, exploring as far back as the murder of Julius Ceasar and early recorded forensic science in 13th century China as well as famous modern cases. Read by Val McDermid Abridged by Sian Preece Producer: Allegra McIlroy First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2014. Val McDermid reveals how her fascination with forensic science connects with her fiction.