Cause of Death: Memoirs of a Home Office Pathologist - True Crime Forensic Investigation Book for Medical Professionals & Mystery Enthusiasts (Great for Book Clubs & Crime Scene Analysis)

This book definitely isn't for the squeamish but if you are interested in crime or forensic pathology it is essential reading. As well as providing a brief run-down of what happens at a post mortem the book provides fascinating insights into the part played in criminal investigations by a forensic pathologist. In over thirty years of work the author was involved in some high profile cases such as the Moors Murders but much of his work would not have made the headlines except locally.I found the less well known cases fascinating reading and I liked the way they were grouped under subject headings - such as those involving fire. But it wasn't just criminal cases which the author was involved in. He gives interesting, if gruesome accounts of his work in connection with fires in an office block and in a department store. There are tragic cases such as fathers killing their children and there are mysterious cases such as the man who was found naked in a wood surrounded by his clothes. The author even found himself having to try and convince the police that one body he examined was actually the victim of murder - they were sure it was an accident or an unexplained death from natural causes.The author makes it possible for the reader to understand his work and provides information about some interesting cases including those where the victims died of natural causes. I found his thoughts on death and on abortion, both legal and illegal of interest and both those chapters provided me with food for thought. The book has notes on the sources referred to which may provide further reading inspiration for the interested reader.