Professor Angela Gallop

It was interesting following Angela Gallop's career, her beginnings in biochemistry with sea slugs on the Isle of Wight, her initiation at Forensic Science Service (FSS), branching out forming Forensic Access, Forensic Alliance and Axiom International along the way.
I have done a bit of reading about Forensic work after attending a Forensic course at U3A (University of the 3rd Age).
What came through in this book is the multitude of branches of Forensic Science, from detailed study of the crime scene to many branches of science: Toxicology, Ballistics, Fingerprints, DNA, examination of fibers, hair, pollens, and on and on.… (plus d'informations)

I picked this up based on the blurb on the back cover which explains that the author has 40 years experience in British forensic science and has worked on cases such as the Yorkshire Ripper and the murder of Damilola Taylor. I found this to be a bit of a let down if I am brutally honest. There is some good insight on a few cases and how forensic science has changed over the years but quite quickly turns into a self congratulationary tale of Gallop's business acumen. I wasn't really interested in her various forensic companies, I wanted to learn more about how forensic science has been used to solve the biggest cases in modern British history.… (plus d'informations)

Slightly disappointing book. While is certainly interesting, the core content I was expecting, namely description of cases and how they were solved, is padded with a lot of stuff about the author's career and how she worked to establish private forensics services so it becomes almost a business book rather than a forensic book. While this is certainly not without interest, it is my opinion secondary to the forensic material. The author also has an annoying habit of not detailing the judicial conclusion to many of the cases she mentions, sometimes rather airily saying she has just forgotten it, which didn't go down well at all. In summary, a fascinating book as regards the forensic science, less interesting regarding the business aspects of forensics. Worth reading though.… (plus d'informations)

Professor Angela Gallop was one fo the first female forensic scientists to make an impact and after working for the forensic science service she set up a couple of large and well-regarded private companies working for both the police and for the defence teams. In this book she takes the reader through many high profile and recognisable cases including details of the techniques and breakthroughs which are fascinating to someone with a science background like myself. Less satisfying were the sections of political conjecture and personal detail as I felt they jarred with the rest.… (plus d'informations)