WRITTEN IN BLOOD A History of Forensic Detection.

Hardback. A massive and compelling history of forensic crime detection, from poisoners in ancient Rome to modern serial murderers. The history of forensic detection is in fact a demonstration of how the smallest details can lead to momentous results. Time and again it is the tiniest scraps of evidence that yield results, and Colin Wilson recounts some of the most extraordinary of these in often gruesome details, such as the Ruxton case of the 1930s. The author presents a gripping catalogue of case studies charting the progress of forensic science from the first attempts at detecting arsenic to today's impressive armoury of techniques, such as ballistics analysis, blood typing, voice printing, textile analysis, psychological profiling and genetic fingerprinting. Illus., Select Bibliog. and Index. 512pp. lge. 8vo. h/back. With previous owner's name and date insc. to fep, browned pp. o/w Vg. in sl. sunned Vg+ dw. A fairly heavy book which will require additional postage.