Written on the Skin

An Australian Forensic Casebook

De: Liz Porter

Narrado por: Elizabeth Kaye

In a close examination of an assault victim's body, a forensic physician can 'read' the terrible alphabet that fists and weapons have written across it. A crime scene investigator notes the tiny indentations on the fragments of a tin can identified at a bomb site, enabling him to find the can opener that made them - and the bomb-maker who used it. A forensic dentist identifies the thief who dropped some chewing gum, with his teeth marks in it, during a burglary. Liz Porter's riveting casebook shows how forensic investigators - including pathologists, chemists, entomologists, DNA specialists and document examiners - have used their expertise in dozens of fascinating crimes and mysteries.

©2006 Liz Porter; 2006 Bolinda (P)2007 Bolinda Publishing

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Elizabeth Kaye narrates this Australian forensic casebook with vitality and intelligence. As she presents the particulars of selected cases solved by forensics – the 2002 Bali bombing, a fatal hit-and-run in Victoria, the Lindy Chamberlain case – listeners grow to understand that crime technicians don't have the glamour jobs seen on the popular C.S.I. shows that pepper the TV airwaves. Each of the 10 chapters deals with one special area used to solve cases, including 'Reading the Blood', 'Reading the Bones', and 'Reading the Crime Scene'. Porter's writing style mixes science with storytelling, and Kaye's reading is as exciting as the scientific study of decomposition can be, taking listeners through labor-intensive tests of bugs, bones, blood, and DNA. Well-organized research and a solid reading make this gripping listening." (AudioFile Magazine)

explaining the unexplained

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in forensic science. The factual presentation of the various topics and explanations surrounding the different cases made the book very interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

The short case presentations, the events occured in Australia.

Which character – as performed by Elizabeth Kaye – was your favorite?

Nil

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

yes the entire novel is overwhelming

Not enough true stories

Seemed more sciencey than true stories. Not my favorite book but not the worst either.

I liked this book, but...

I like this book because I am very interested in the subject matter. However, I do have a couple of complaints.

First, I wish that their had been an Australian reading this book, or at least a person who could convincingly perform in an Australian accent. The American trying to pronounce words in an Australian way with her American accent makes me cringe.

Secondly, I found her reading/performance very dry. That was fine for me, because I will read anything forensics related, but for someone new to the genre, or only slightly interested, it might turn them off. I listened to part of this book during a road trip with my dad and he made the comment that the reader and material is such that if you love the subject, you'll love the book. If you're not really interested, you'll not be pulled in by it.

"Interesting"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes i would as its a great insight into what happens in day to day life that turns horrible wrong.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Written on the Skin?

Listening to how a father kills his own kids to get back at his ex wife. To be honest it stuck in my head for weeks and i didn't listen for a while just because of how terrible the tail was. I just could not wrap my head around it.Or the guy who did not like the fact that a girl how he liked did not have feelings the same way towards him just sets her on fire in a moving car with a friend in the car. This happened in Melbourne, Victoria were i live so it really hits home how many sick, mentally ill killers are walking the streets.

What about Elizabeth Kaye’s performance did you like?

Some readers are very monotone but Elizabeth really puts the finishing touch to a great book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes were the sister of a mentally ill guy kills him for a small amount of cash! What runs through some people's mind?

Any additional comments?

This book is a great listen, i listened to hours of it in one hit but found i was looking at other people with different eyes. Break the book up if your listening. Its insightful and sad at the same time. Your connected with all the victims in the story the way its been narrated.

Boring; tedious

Though I am usually fascinated by anything having to do with forensics, this book did not grab my interest. I did not finish it and probably will not go back to it in the future. Disappointing.