Professor Dame Sue Black, a leading forensic anthropologist and president of St John’s College, Oxford, has recently published a new book that sheds light on the critical role of forensic science and expert witnesses in criminal investigations and courtrooms. The book, aimed at a general audience, demystifies the scientific processes behind forensic evidence and offers detailed case studies alongside Black’s own extensive experience in the field.

Black’s work primarily involves the identification of deceased individuals, a task that has taken her to various international sites including Iraq, Kosovo, and Thailand following the 2004 tsunami. Her expertise has been recognized through numerous academic texts, including a seminal work on the juvenile skeleton co-authored with Louise Scheuer, as well as two bestselling popular books. In this latest volume, she provides a blend of accessible explanations of forensic techniques such as fingerprint analysis and ballistics, vivid courtroom narratives, and reflections on the evolution of forensic science in legal settings.

The book explores a range of historical and contemporary issues, tracing the origins of the expert witness back to the 18th century when “men of science” were first permitted to testify based on specialized knowledge rather than direct facts. It further examines how, by the 19th century, forensic experts became central figures in murder trials, using then-novel methods to detect poisons like arsenic. Black also addresses the dangers of “bad science” in the courtroom, advocating for rigorous standards and cautioning against experts providing testimony beyond their areas of knowledge.

Notable forensic figures and landmark cases feature prominently. Among these are Bernard Spilsbury, a pathologist whose authoritative testimony influenced many verdicts during the early 20th century but whose reliability has since been questioned, including his identification of the body of Mrs Crippen. Other forensic pioneers discussed include ballistics expert Robert Churchill, who participated in major murder trials, and Alphonse Bertillon, the inventor of an early system of human identification whose later involvement as a handwriting expert in the Dreyfus affair ended in controversy.

Black also highlights lesser-known forensic methods such as ear identification and gait analysis—the latter helping to identify bow-legged armed robber John Saunders in 2000—and recounts how hair analysis was critical in the trial of serial killer John Christie. Throughout, her narrative is engaging and conversational, bringing readers into the tensions of courtroom cross-examinations she has personally faced over the years. One case recounted involves her role in the trial of Mark Bridger, convicted for the abduction and murder of five-year-old April Jones in Wales in 2012.

While the book has been praised for its informative and entertaining approach, some readers may note its lack of footnotes given the depth of material covered. Nonetheless, Black’s work stands out for illuminating the complexities of forensic science and emphasizing the importance of integrity in the presentation of expert evidence in justice systems.