Currently, forensic studies depend upon the expertise of not only medical examiners and coroners whose opinions are limited to the more recently deceased, but to the combined efforts of many diverse disciplines of science. Ms. Sachs discusses all these fields and prominent individuals within each area, and their pioneering and innovative techniques which have advanced our knowledge. As is often the case in nontraditional approaches, the individuals who gravitate to this sort of work are not afraid of being thought weird, or not conforming to the mode. They are also invariably brilliant thinkers. Reading about their exploits is fascinating.

The book is written in a straightforward style which does not presuppose prior scientific background. A liberal arts major may not have much interest in the subject, but should have no difficulty in understanding the language. The book should be, however, of considerable interest to the potential crime novelist as it provides much useful background information which should aid in producing a more realistic mystery story. The author does not go into extensive detail as to how each scientist collects and interprets his data, but she does provide a suggested list of books for further reading.

Corpse is not a book for the faint of heart or the squeamish. The material is presented in a logical manner with no attempt to be excessively disgusting or sensational. She shows a human cadaver or partial human remains as a challenge to investigators from diverse fields to try and understand within a given time frame, just when death occurred. It is interesting to learn why and how investigators choose animal models to try to produce conditions similar to a known cadaver. These people obviously have a good sense of humor. I especially enjoyed the account of trying to buy underwear to fit pig cadavers. Also, that insects view a cadaver as a banquet or a feast may be repellent to some readers, but the material is presented in a clinical manner as instructional information for the scientists involved.

In addition to the information one would expect to garner from a volume of this sort, other tidbits of trivia are available as well. Anyone, weather channel junkies excepted, who has ever wondered about the definition of a “degree day” will be delighted to have their question answered in this little tome. With all the emphasis on DNA and dental records as tools for victim identification, it is reassuring to learn there are a few other tools available to aid in the search.

The ingenuity of what, initially, was a very small number of people working on a not very esthetically pleasing subject is cause for admiration. It is not exactly dinner table conversation, but is important nonetheless. Figuring out ways to simulate ways in which victims met their deaths using animal models and monitoring the results takes a fertile imagination. In most cases these scientists were not merely expanding knowledge in an already well documented field, and were meeting opposition from many people, which takes a certain hardiness of spirit. Corpse is a good example of applying basic principles of the scientific method in a rather neglected realm of science.

--Andy Plonka