Shallow Graves
My life as a Forensic Scientist on Britain's Biggest Cases
Description of book
Shortlisted for the True Crime Awards 2023 Best New True Crime Author
The murder of Sarah Payne, Adam the Thames Torso, the London bombings, the Night Stalker and the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko... The solving of all these cases can be linked to one man: Ray Fysh, a Charlton Athletic fan from Woolwich, a natural raconteur and also one of the finest forensic detectives the country has ever seen.
Ray began work for the Met Police in the 1970s when forensic investigation was seen as little more than a geeky side show, only in existence to confirm or eliminate evidence. But by the mid 90s Ray and his team had made huge progress in their field, contributing to the UK becoming a world-leading innovator in forensic techniques, with Ray himself being named as Special Adviser to the Forensic Science Service. As the SA, Ray worked alongside Senior Investigating Officers from day one of a case, directing his team to identify forensic opportunities and harvest case-cracking clues.
As Ray looks back over his career at the cases he worked on, the reader is given unparalleled insight into the highs and lows of an astonishing career, the historic classist snobbery of the Met and the stunning realities of crime and forensics
Ratings & reviews
4.6
★★★★☆138 ratings
4.7
★★★★☆132 ratings
Was looking for my next non fiction read, and so I found this on Bookbeat without previously having heard of it. Nevertheless, this has been the most riveting memoir I’ve read so far. Fysh shared his experience of working as a forensic scientist from 1971 til his retirement in 2012. He desrcibes in detail six high profile cases in the UK in which forensic evidence has proved vital to catching the culprit. It was like reading several episodes of CSI- but this is more harrowing because you know it really happened.
Margaret
★Book5
When I saved this book I didn’t realise it was a true story. Absolutely fascinating to learn about the development of different forensic techniques, way more complex than I’d have ever imagined! Lots of case studies- mostly very disturbing (rape/murder etc) so possibly not for the faint hearted. Very clever- need some brains to follow along ha. Definitely recommend as an eye opener and for educational purposes.
Nisha
★Book5
★Narration5
Terrifying and fascinating, both the capacity of people committing crimes as is the ways to look into solving them. The writing is well balanced helping to understand some more complex elements of forensics science. Captivating cases and look into the progress of investigations. Sad at times of course seeing not all cases can get their resolution and how long it could take to get their closing, but hopeful all the same as no matter how long it takes there’s still often a chance to catch the culprits and the science continues making it possible.
Zar
★Book5
★Narration5
such an eye-opening book! i thought i had an idea of forensics but after reading this I AM MONDBLOWN of how crucial it is. 100% recommend - everyone at work is already heard about it a million times from me!
jess
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