Reviews (Edited by A. R. Brownlie)

FORENSIC SCIENCE

Forensic Science Second Edition H. J. Walls (Sweet @ Maxwell, London, 1974; 257@., 47plates, index, £5.00)

The first edition of Walls' Forensic Science undoubtedly established itself as a classic of its kind. I t is not surprising, therefore, that a new edition has been called for only six years after the first. This edition certainly confirms and reinforces the status of the first edition. I t has all the merits of its predecessor, plus the advantages of up-dating and a certain amount of re-writing, involving an increase of some 40 pages. Although it includes recent advances in the subject of a rather sophisticated scientific nature, its main characteristic, namely readability, is well preserved.

As before, Dr. Walls has had the great advantage of being able to draw on some excellent photographs emanating from the police forensic science labora- tories; the new edition contains new examples of these.

In the preface of each edition Dr. Walls has assumed a minimum scientific background on the reader's part. However, one felt that for the first edition such an assumption was rather optimistic; with the second edition this view is reinforced. Thus, the section on blood grouping, for example, may prove hard going for non-scientific individuals, although there is a comprehensive glossary which often, though not always, helps.

Dr. Walls' most grateful public will probably include the forensic scientist and police officer who wishes to know more of the branches of his subject in which he is not a specialist; and, of course, lawyers, in their search for authoritative written matter which will assist them or support them in their cases. There must be many in these categories who have used the first edition to advantage andwho will wish to supplement it with this enlarged and up-dated version.

When so much of the book is so excellent, it seems ungenerous to take issue too strongly with Dr. Walls on some of his statements, since the points in question are relatively minor in relation to the book as a whole. However, the statements that practically all organic materials fluoresce; that precise flash- points are of minor importance in fire investigations; and that on the liability of esparto grass to spontaneous combustion, are questionable.

The description of the properties of paper which may be determined by simple tests is rather misleading, and the reader will not find it of much help. There is a sprinkling of misprints which are, however, not serious, except perhaps in the case of the definitions of nano and pic0 in the Glossary.

However, as stated, these comments scarcely diminish the overall high standard of the book. I t has been a pleasure to review this work, and I thoroughly recommend it. Julius Grant

THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD

Curiosa-A Miscellany of Clinical and Pathological Experiences Collected by William St. Clair Symmers, senior (Baillikre Tindall, London, 1974; 208pp, £3.75)

With one notable exception, this book has absolutely no place whatsoever in the hands of anyone remotely connected with the Courts of Law.

For it includes accounts given with disarming frankness of some of the most fascinating miscarriages and misdiagnoses which have chanced to come the