This is non-fiction crime and is an interesting addition to the burgeoning volume of popular books on the forensic sciences. Written by an American science journalist, it describes some of the techniques used in estimating the time since death, often a vital aspect of homicide investigations. The author concentrates on the later period after death, devoting most of the book to forensic entomology and biology, the study of flies, maggots and even botanical methods for determining how long a body has been dead. In this respect, it is rather similar to the recent book of our own Dr. Zakaria Erzinclioglu of Cambridge University, the doyen of British forensic entomology. This was 'Maggots, Murder and Men' which was a runner-up to the Crime Writer's Association 2001 Silver Dagger Award for non fiction. Strangely, Jessica Snyder Sachs makes no mention of either Dr Zak or his book - as with most American publications, references to research outside the USA are relatively few.
However, for a non-forensic scientist, the book is generally accurate and informative, being a blend of journalistic exposition of the science with a mass of case histories, almost all American. One chapter concerns the early post-mortem period, when temperature, rigor etc.,are employed. This is dealt with adequately, but rather patchily when it comes to the historical development of the subject and is perhaps not given sufficient space commensurate with its importance in criminal investigations.
There are a few errors of fact, but generally, the author gets the subject across very well, in a very popular style. She rightly emphasises the uncertainty of many of the methods, though occasionally gives the impression that what are in fact very controversial methods, are used routinely with confidence. Compared with some other popular books on forensic science, it is very well done, with none of the 'gee-whizz' style which gives the impression that every crime is now solved in the laboratory, without the intervention of mere policemen.