Written on the Skin

An Australian Forensic Casebook

By: Liz Porter

Narrated by: Elizabeth Kaye

Length: 14 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

This well-researched and entertaining audiobook looks at the role of forensic investigators in solving dozens of fascinating crimes and mysteries.

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 case book shows how forensic investigators - including pathologists, chemists, entomologists, DNA specialists, and document examiners - have used their expertise in dozens of fascinating crimes and mysteries.

©2007 Liz Porter; 2009 Bolinda

Critic Reviews

"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)

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.

I really wanted to like this, but...

What would have made Written on the Skin better?

This book jumped around almost at random, dropping references to cases and then taking multiple chapters to get back to them. Perhaps it was safe of the author to assume that most readers would have come across the "A dingo ate my baby!" case, but a short synopsis would have helped.The cases that were supposed to illustrate the various areas of forensic medicine often had very little to do with the subjects being addressed.There was no flow from case to case, or chapter to chapter. I am still listening (about halfway through) and I keep having to go back and re-listen to sections to follow what is going on. I am willing to keep listening because it is a subject I am interested in, but it is a slog.Each chapter addressing a particular topic (insects/bones/brains,etc) could have used a brief explanation of what was going on - what forensic scientists can learn from the evidence. And a chronological format would have helped, rather than jumping all around the time period covered.

Has Written on the Skin turned you off from other books in this genre?

No, I love the genre.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I found her accent distracting. She should have just pronounced everything in her American accent, rather than using Australian pronunciation on a few (but frequent) phrases or words. Every time she said "Mel-bon" instead of Melbourne I cringed. Mel-bon may be the way Melbournians say their city's name, but it just sounds bizarre and affected from an American.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Written on the Skin?

I would have reorganized it for better flow, and I would have cut most of the snarky references to CSI being an unrealistic portrayal of forensic science.

Any additional comments?

I really wanted to like this book, but couldn't.

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.

"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.

Chillingly educational

Would you listen to Written on the Skin again? Why?

I listen to it often. It reader has great voice, and the stories are haunting and interesting and well worth several listens.

What did you like best about this story?

That it doesn't shy away from the horror, but doesn't exploit it either. The aim is to showcase great forensic work, while keeping it accessible to the layperson. It succeeds on both counts.

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

All the cases are moving in their own way, which is the greta strength of this book.

Any additional comments?

Great broad overview for people who are ready to step beyond the CSI stuff.

A little disappointed that...

Disappointed that this Australian book was not narrated by someone with an Australian accent.

Great book but not keen on the narrator

What made the experience of listening to Written on the Skin the most enjoyable?

The content of the book - I really enjoyed the detail of the cases rather than the quick overviews you get with a lot of forensic stories

What did you like best about this story?

Again the content

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

I thought that the narrator wasn't the best choice - might have been better read by an Australian to match the content. She seemed to stumble over a few words and the pace was wrong - she read too quickly where pauses would have helped to digest the material

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

Most of the cases were very harrowing

Any additional comments?

Great book, lots of scientific content, let down for me by the narrator a bit