Foreword by topselling author, Gerard Labuschagne.

A criminal's fate is often sealed by what is found on the autopsy table and Dr Hestelle van Staden has been crucial in the conviction of numerous criminals. As one of South Africa’s leading forensic pathologists, she has conducted over 7 000 autopsies. She has seen the worst South Africa has to offer and has been a voice to numerous murder victims.

In Blood Has a Voice, she walks us through nine of her most compelling cases, cases that stand out from among the many autopsies she has conducted. There is the tragic story of baby Letitia Meyer, whose mother alleged she fell from her pram; the unexplained death of a young mother during labour; and the case of the musician Lucky Dube, who was shot and killed . . .

Blood Has a Voice gives a rare glimpse into the investigation of death and the quiet heroism behind the unsung work of forensic pathologists.

Voorwoord deur die outeur en reeksmoordenaar-ondersoeker, Gerard Labuschagne.

Die forensiese patoloog, Hestelle van Staden sien byna daagliks die skadukant van die mens. Sy het al meer as 7000 outopsies behartig waarvan die meerderheid mense aan onnatuurlike oorsake oorlede is. In hierdie boek werp sy lig op nege lykskouings.

Daar is die tragiese storie van baba Letitia Meyer wie se ma volgehou het sy het bloot uit 'n stootwaentjie geval . . . die moord op die bekende musikant Lucky Dube en die outopsie van 'n jong swanger vrou wie se dood medici laat kopkrap het.

Outopsie bied 'n blik op die lewe van 'n forensiese patoloog in SuidAfrika en die uitdagings wat daarmee gepaard gaan.

The second edition of this award-winning textbook has been thoroughly revised and updated throughout. Building on the success of the first edition, the book continues to address the History and Practice of Forensic Psychiatry, Legal Regulation of the Practice of Psychiatry, Psychiatry in relation to Civil Law, Criminal Law, and Family Law. Important sections such as Special Issues in Forensic Psychiatry, Law and the Legal System, and Landmark Cases in Mental Health Law are included. Designed to meet the needs of practitioners of forensic psychiatry, for residents in forensic psychiatry, and those preparing for the specialty examination in Forensic Psychiatry of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, this volume will also answer the many questions faced by mental health professionals, mental health administrators, correctional health professionals and correctional health administrators, attorneys, judges, probation and parole officers and administrators all of whom, at one time or another, require a substantive presentation of the entire field of forensic psychiatry in the USA.

Loaded with meticulously detailed, beautifully illustrated microstructures of the human body clearly and concisely labeled for easy identification. Illustrations by award-winning and best-selling medical illustrator Vincent Perez, whose life mission is cataloging the beauty and detail of our complicated body systems for the medical professional, the formative student and the inquisitive layperson. 6-page laminated guide includes illustrated and labeled: Cell Kidney: Renal Corpuscle Ear: Cochlear Duct Eye: Retinal Rods & Cones Tongue: Taste Buds Tooth: Marginal Gingiva Skin & Hair Nose: Olfactory Epithelium Eye: Chambers & Structures Digestive Wall Layers: Esophagus, Stomach, Small Intestines, Large Intestines Liver: Lobule Blood Vessels: Capillary Bone: Osteon Muscles: Sarcomere Nerve: Structure

'Absolutely gripping. Impeccably researched and written with the pace and narrative drive of a thriller, but attentive too to the dignity of the victims.' - Daragh Carville, creator of ITV's The BayThe true story of the shocking 1930s murder case, and the revolutionary investigation that changed forensics forever. Lancaster, 1935. In a jealous rage, Dr Buck Ruxton kills his wife, Isabella, and their children's nanny, Mary, before dismembering the bodies in the bathtub. When walkers discover the remains scattered in a ravine in the Scottish Borders, police are confronted with a gruesome jigsaw puzzle that they must piece together - not only to give the women their names back, but also to catch their killer. Using new research, Jeremy Craddock tells the full story of this landmark case in British criminal history. The Jigsaw Murders brings to life Dr Ruxton, the investigators, the legal figures, and silent witnesses Isabella and Mary, recreating the dramatic scenes that shook the world.

Provides several hundred color images illustrating all key concepts Boasts new chapters on gunshot wounds, mass fatality incidents, and the application of forensic science principles, and other forensic disciplines, to forensic pathology Updates and expands several chapters covering medicolegal death investigation, postmortem changes, time of death, deaths in custody, deaths in the elderly, and drug deaths Presents new research, and advanced techniques, ranging from chronic traumatic encephalopathy to new and emerging drugs as well as the use of forensic imaging

The heart-wrenchingly honest and fascinating new book from forensic pathologist and bestselling author of UNNATURAL CAUSES, Dr Richard Shepherd A TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 'Each chapter is like a finely-crafted detective story . . . Shepherd writes beautifully, and despite its subject, the book is very funny in parts' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Enlightening, strangely uplifting . . . Shepherd's final chapter on death itself is a meditation of great beauty and light which puts all the darkness of the previous pages into perspective' DAILY MAIL 'Deeply insightful. Unflinching' THE TIMES 'Fascinating' DAILY EXPRESS 'This book is about death, but in it I will take readers on a journey through life . . .' _________ Dr Richard Shepherd, Britain's top forensic pathologist, has spent a lifetime close to the dead. As a medical detective, each autopsy he carries out is its own unique investigation, uncovering the secrets not only of how a person died, but also of how they lived. Through twenty-four of his most intriguing, enlightening and never-before-told cases, Dr Shepherd shares autopsies that span the seven ages of human existence, and have taught him as much about the marvels of life as the inevitability of death. From old to young, from murder to misadventure, and from illness to accidental death, each of these bodies has something to reveal: about human development, about mortality, about its owner's life story, about justice and even about Shepherd himself. From the bestselling author of Unnatural Causes comes a powerful, moving and above all reassuring book about death as it touches our own lives - how to understand it, and, when our time comes (as it must), how to embrace it as the last great adventure. _________ 'He has the ability to examine himself and other people with the same forensic eye that he applies to corpses - one of the reasons why his books feel so life-enhancing' Daily Telegraph Praise for Dr Richard Shepherd 'Gripping, grimly fascinating, and I suspect I'll read it at least twice' Evening Standard 'A deeply mesmerising memoir of forensic pathology. Human and fascinating' Nigella Lawson 'An absolutely brilliant book. I really recommend it, I don't often say that but it's fascinating' Jeremy Vine, BBC Radio 2 'Puts the reader at his elbow as he wields the scalpel' Guardian 'Fascinating, gruesome yet engrossing' Richard and Judy, Daily Express 'Fascinating, insightful, candid, compassionate' Observer

Forensic professionals, particularly medical examiners-often working through heavy caseloads-require quick and easy access to reliable sources of information to help interpret toxicology results. While several in-depth resources are available, they are often large, cumbersome, and contain more information than is often needed. The Handbook of Forensic Toxicology for Medical Examiners is a concise handbook referencing the most common toxic substances and their reported non-toxic, toxic, and lethal concentrations, making it an ideal text for quick reference in the lab or autopsy room. Features of the Second Edition: Explains the principles of postmortem toxicology and the factors which must be considered Provides tables of toxicologic data for over 200 commonly encountered substances, including drugs of abuse, poisons, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medications Includes discussion and description of the novel psychoactive drugs-including synthetic opioids, cannabinoids, stimulants and hallucinogens Supplemental appendices provide additional information regarding specimen types and selection, testing methodologies, normal laboratory values, and conversion charts The busy forensic professional needs a concise handbook that provides critical information quickly and accurately. This heavily referenced text offers an easy-to-use format allowing for rapid access for both routine daily use and preparation for courtroom testimony.

Just two months before the September 11 terrorist attacks, Dr. Judy Melinek began her training as a New York City forensic pathologist. While her husband and their toddler held down the home front, Judy threw herself into the fascinating world of death investigation-performing autopsies, investigating death scenes, counseling grieving relatives. Working Stiff chronicles Judy's two years of training, taking readers behind the police tape of some of the most harrowing deaths in the Big Apple, including a firsthand account of the events of September 11, the subsequent anthrax bio-terrorism attack, and the disastrous crash of American Airlines Flight 587. An unvarnished portrait of the daily life of medical examiners-complete with grisly anecdotes, chilling crime scenes, and a welcome dose of gallows humor-Working Stiffoffers a glimpse into the daily life of one of America's most arduous professions, and the unexpected challenges of shuttling between the domains of the living and the dead. The body never lies-and through the murders, accidents, and suicides that land on her table, Dr. Melinek lays bare the truth behind the glamorized depictions of autopsy work on television to reveal the secret story of the real morgue. "Haunting and illuminating...the stories from her average workdays...transfix the reader with their demonstration that medical science can diagnose and console long after the heartbeat stops" (The New York Times).

'Absolutely gripping. Impeccably researched and written with the pace and narrative drive of a thriller, but attentive too to the dignity of the victims.' - Daragh Carville, creator of ITV's The BayThe true story of the shocking 1930s murder case, and the revolutionary investigation that changed forensics forever. Lancaster, 1935. In a jealous rage, Dr Buck Ruxton kills his wife, Isabella, and their children's nanny, Mary, before dismembering the bodies in the bathtub. When walkers discover the remains scattered in a ravine in the Scottish Borders, police are confronted with a gruesome jigsaw puzzle that they must piece together - not only to give the women their names back, but also to catch their killer. Using new research, Jeremy Craddock tells the full story of this landmark case in British criminal history. The Jigsaw Murders brings to life Dr Ruxton, the investigators, the legal figures, and silent witnesses Isabella and Mary, recreating the dramatic scenes that shook the world.

Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry discusses a broad range of issues based around the psychiatric needs of adolescents and how these relate to offending behavior. Its well-structured approach looks at assessment, treatment, and outcomes for different disorders and highlights the importance of effective interaction between specialist agencies. Services supporting the assessment and treatment of children and young people within forensic mental health services are influenced by professionals in many areas; therefore, the book includes contributions by authors from a wide range of disciplines and specialties in order to cover every aspect of the field.
Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry examines the key influences that shape young people's attitudes and behavior and shows the association between different offending behavior patterns and psychiatric disorders. It includes a section on future strategies, including politics, service provision, and the impact of research. This book will be of special interest to people working with children and young people in secure care, and to those working with all looked-after children. It will be of value to all those involved in the development of the needs of children and adolescents within educational, social, mental health and criminal justice services.

The taphonomic approach within paleontology, archaeology, and paleoanthropology continues to produce advances in understanding postmortem biochemical and morphological transformations. Conversely, advances in understanding the early and intermediate postmortem period generated in the forensic realm can and should be brought to the attention of scientists who study the historic and prehistoric past.

Building on the success of Forensic Taphonomy: The Postmortem Fate of Human Remains, Advances in Forensic Taphonomy: Method, Theory, and Archaeological Perspectives presents new and updated techniques. It expands the taphonomic focus on biogeographic context and microenvironments and integrates further the theoretical and methodological links with archaeology and paleontology.

Topics covered include:
o Microenvironmental variation and decomposition in different environments
o Taphonomic interpretation of water deaths
o Mass graves, mass fatalities and war crimes, archaeological and forensic approaches
o Updates in geochemical and entomological analysis
o Interpretation of burned human remains
o Discrimination of trauma from postmortem change
o Taphonomic applications at the scene and in the lab

This comprehensive text takes an interdisciplinary and international approach to understanding taphonomic modifications. Liberally illustrated with photographs, maps, and other images, Advances in Forensic Taphonomy: Method, Theory, and Archaeological Perspectives is a valuable source of information for postmortem death investigation.

This third volume in the Forensic Pathology Atlases: Causes of Death Series provides an overview of the types, mechanisms, and physical findings associated with deaths involving asphyxia. Asphyxia and Drowning serves as a basic framework for an extensive pictorial representation of findings associated with these types of deaths. It helps the reader to gain a better understanding of the processes leading to asphyxiation, to recognize the associated physical findings, and better appreciate the difficulties in evaluating asphyxiation deaths.

It fills a void in the resources available to researchers and practitioners in forensic hair examination by providing photographic archetypes for the microscopic characteristics of human hair and the variates of the characteristics seen in forensic examinations, including curl; color; pigment distribution and density; cortical fusi; and ovoid bodies. These illustrations provide a uniform basis for describing the characteristics and their variations for forensic professionals in differing geographical areas. The documentation of hair characteristics using the scoring system outlined in this atlas allows researchers to develop data regarding the frequency of characteristics within the hairs of one or more individuals and the assessment of whether certain hair characteristics are co-dependent.

The past two decades have seen a rapidly growing involvement of psychologists and psychiatrists in legal proceedings for criminal cases, divorces, and traffic and industrial accidents. Mental health professionals are traditionally not trained to cope with the legal responsibilities that arise from their routine clinical work and are eager to learn the professional skills that are needed in forensic settings. There is presently no book which focuses entirely on the strategies and verbal tactics employed by attorneys who critically examine and challenge the testimony of mental health professionals. If psychologists and psychiatrists can familiarize themselves with the kind of questions and verbal exchanges that take place in the courtroom, they would be better prepared to provide their expertise in an effective manner. This book fills that need.
Designed as a practical handbook to assist practitioners from all mental health disciplines, it focuses on typical courtroom dialogue between attorneys and mental health professionals who testify regarding their psychotherapy clients and also those who are hired by attorneys specifically to provide expert opinions. The authors, who have extensive experience in the courtroom, offer well-thought-out, effective responses as contrasted with impulsive and weak answers to attorneys' queries. Actual cases are employed to illustrate typical challenges in various legal areas, including criminal law, child custody hearings, and personal injury cases. Certain forensic issues such as the scientific bases of expert opinions, the accuracy of psychological vs. medical tests, and malingering, are emphasized throughout the chapters.
The book is based on the belief that exposure to courtroom dialogue enhances the awareness of appropriate professional responses to an attorney's cross-examination and greatly alleviates fear toward a situation well-known to provoke intense levels of anxiety. Although it is written alluding to the forensic psychologist or psychiatrist, the strategies for the witness are readily applicable in most instances to all mental health professionals. Issues such as therapist bias, unconfirmed observations, and cultural and ethnic factors are clearly relevant to all who provide mental health services.

Written by a team of internationally renowned experts, this book focuses on the application of gas chromatography to various aspects of forensic chemistry. The authors introduce the basic theory of chromatographic separations before discussing specific forensic issues such as drug analysis and fires and explosives. Problems faced by forensic scientists, including degraded samples and small sample size, are also addressed.

The main purpose of this book is to describe ways of assessing forensic science evidence and the means of communicating this assessment to a court of law. A clear exposition of probability from the Bayesian perspective is provided. The underlying theme of the book is the emphasis on the importance, for the assessment of the value of associative evidence linking a suspect and a crime scene, or the comparison of two probabilities, the first being that of the evidence if the suspect is guilty, the second being that of the evidence if the suspect is innocent. Edited as a joint venture between a statistician and a forensic scientist, contributions from leading researchers in the area have been brought together. Technical expressions are kept to a minimum, with those wanting more information on a particular statistical test being referred to standard textbooks as and when necessary. The editor's aim is to ensure that proper attention is placed on the courts to consideration of the probability of the evidence of association if the suspect is innocent as well as to this probability if the suspect is guilty. The work is intended for forensic science practitioners, legal practitioners, stati

The Forensic Psychologist's Reporting Writing Guide is the first book to provide both student trainees and practitioners with best practice guidance for one of the core skills of their role. Written and edited by an international range of experts from the UK, North America and Australasia, it provides clear advice on a range of assessments, from psychometric tests to personality functioning, and includes real-life examples to illustrate key points. Uniquely, the book also offers guidance on the range of different client groups that forensic psychologists work with across both civil and legal contexts, including juveniles, female clients, couples and those with cognitive impairments. From core principles to writing style to key issues, each chapter also includes a checklist of advice and further reading. Comprehensive and practical, The Forensic Psychologist's Reporting Writing Guide is a user-friendly companion to this critical and often overlooked skill, and will be essential reading for both neophyte and experienced forensic psychologists alike.

Clarke's Analysis of Drugs and Poisons is the definitive source of analytical data for drugs and poisons. Written by over 40 international experts, the resource also boasts an editorial advisory board of over 45 world renowned scientists. This reference work has been completely revised and updated for the new edition, and comprises two volumes. * Volume one has been greatly expanded from 31 to 44 chapters providing extensive coverage of all methodology and analytical techniques. Of significant interest include: 1. Quality control and assessment - separated into two chapters to reflect the differing situations/purposes/remits of the toxicology laboratory versus the pharmaceutical industry (accreditation with ISO17025 becoming the international standard in labs) 2. Method development and validation - now present since reliable analytical techniques and data should be of the utmost importance to any analyst 3. 'Sampling, storage and stability', 'Measuring and reporting uncertainty' and 'Interpretation of results' now included to cover all aspects accreditation 4. Pharmacokinetics now coupled with Pharmacogenomics * All chapters have been updated, for instance the color test chapter now includes the analysis of metals, while newer analytical techniques, such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and atomic absorption spectrometry-inductively coupled- mass spectrometry (AAS-ICP-MS) are also covered. * Parts two and three now contain 2111 monographs (1730 in 3rd edition). This includes over 200 new monographs with retention of all monographs included in previous edition. New monographs include metals, natural toxins and weapons of mass destruction * Over 300 updated monographs including amphetamine, morphine and MDMA The book is essential for all forensic and clinical toxicologists, pathologists, hospital pharmacists, pharmaceutical analysts, clinical pharmacologists, clinical and forensic laboratories, and poison infor

Churchill's Guide to UK Medicolegal Essentials provides a no-nonsense guide to managing those everyday clinical scenarios that have potential or obvious legal implications. With a clear, practical and easy-to-read style, it takes you through everything that you need to know including the UK legal systems, complaints handling, clinical governance and risk management, disciplinary procedures, and how the law relates to alcohol, drugs, mental health and end of life. This is an ideal book for medical, nursing, dental and paramedic students preparing for exams or interviews, all grades of healthcare professionals, police staff, and anyone needing a brief overview of the legal intricacies of medical practice. Defines the law of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Provides tips on preparing a police statement, appearing in court and obtaining forensic samples Scenarios and questions to bring the law to life Filled with practical advice to help you understand and minimise risks to your practice Covers risk management, which is central to Government health policies An enhanced eBook version is included with purchase. The eBook allows you to access all the text, figures and references, with the ability to search, customize your content, make notes and highlights, and have content read aloud Comprehensive update of all areas of medical law New chapter on the Sexual Offences Act 2003 New questions and scenarios to test your knowledge and understanding

FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY Explore the theory, research, and practice of forensic psychology with this collection of resources from recognized leaders in the field The newly revised Third Edition of Forensic Psychology delivers insightful coverage of the theory and applications of forensic psychology. The book combines authoritative scholarship with an unprecedented breadth of international coverage and constitutes an essential resource for all aspects of contemporary forensic and criminal psychology. The new edition addresses issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion in each section, as well as the uses and abuses of power in forensic contexts. The book takes a constructively critical approach to the dominant theories, policy, and practices of today, as opposed to being merely descriptive, and considers new and developing areas, like the prevention of sexual violence at universities. Forensic Psychology comprehensively addresses the application of modern forensic techniques and practices to the civil and criminal justice systems in the United Kingdom. Each chapter concludes with some specific suggestions for further reading. Additionally, readers will enjoy the inclusion of a wide variety of topics, like: A thorough discussion of investigative and clinical practice, including the politics of forensic psychology, offender profiling, eyewitness testimony, and jury decision making An examination of clinical and risk assessments, including reviews of the key legal issues and principles involved in risk assessments, the role of structured instruments and protocols, and coverage of actuarial and structured clinical methods Discussions of working with criminalized populations in prisons and forensic mental health facilities A treatment of psychology in the courts with an emphasis on the courts of England and Wales Perfect for graduate level students in forensic psychology courses, Forensic Psychology will also earn a place in the libraries of qualified forensic psychologist practitioners and postgraduate students seeking to improve their understanding of forensic psychology with a high-quality international textbook underpinned by considerations of human rights and ethical standards.