The Smeared Arrow
1
THE SMEARED ARROW Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons Louis J. Cnsarett; Jahtz Dozlll, Rds. (New lbrk, J4acmillan Publishing Co. Iuc., 1975, 74fpp., itzhx, no price stated) 'I'his beautifully produced volume consists of thirty chapters by individual specialists grouped into four sections. The first section describes the elements of method and approach that identify modern toxicology. It includes those principles such as dosc response that arc most frcri~~cntly invoked in an under- standing of' toxicologic events. The secorld and perhaps unique section is organised according to the systemic site action of toxins. It seeks to answer the question of what kinds of' injury are produced in specific organs or systems by particular toxic agents, and what agents might produce these effects. The third rriore conventional section groups toxic agents by chemical or use characteristics, and the final section discusses the applications of toxicology with special reference to forensic, veterinary and industrial toxicology. The whole book is organised in such a way as to emphasise the framework of the subject and its ref'erence to other areas of human endeavour. For non- specialist readers it is possible to avoid the more technical chemical formulae and yet to achieve a reasonable understanding of the present problems which the science tackles as well as to take a look at thc aspects of the subject in which increasing stresses are likely to create the need for Surther studies and greater efforts. The hook is thus a compromise bctwccn thc fundamental mcchanistic approach and a view ol' the broader horizons presented by the subject. As an adjunct to the more formal study of the chemical and biochemical roots of toxicology this vo1111ne is to he commcndccl. 'I.?. 1 d. Individual Identification and The Law Enforcement Officer Donald J. Nash (SpritrgJielrl, Ill., C. C'. Thomas, 1975, 151/$., inde.~, $12.50) In this book directed at the police ofIicer concerned \tzitli identification or the perpetrator of crimc or the victim of disaster, Professor 'ash gathcrs togethcr an account of the biological and physical principles upon which thr various methods of identification are based. Thcrc arc chapters on thc uniqucncss of the individual, fingcrprinr and voiceprint identification, personal appearance, forensic anthropvlugy and odontology, along with accounts of blood and other body fluids, handwriting and hair. The hook does not uretend to be other than a peneral introduction but it L includes a reading list of some 180 papers which supply the source material and which could with profit he read hy the interested poIice enquirer. The book could have made more strongly than it rlnes the point that the process of identification is central to the forensic sciences and he Iegal process. The search for sameness and identity and the need fbr recognition should be understood both by police and by scientist as they sl~oulcl equally be apprr- hended by thc lawyer. 1,. 'Toan TWO DOZEN FROM TIIE PACK An Lnternational Pattern of Murder Ni<gel A4orLand (Ian Henry Publication.s, Hornchurch, 1977, 169#., £4.35) This littlc compilation of 24 rnurdcr cases stretching from the 10th to the 20th centuries crisply re-tells the story, with thr benefir of additional inform-
Transcript of The Smeared Arrow
THE SMEARED ARROW
Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons Louis J . Cnsarett; Jahtz Dozlll, Rds. (New lbrk, J4acmillan Publishing Co. Iuc., 1975, 74fpp., i t zhx , no price stated)
'I'his beautifully produced volume consists of thirty chapters by individual specialists grouped into four sections. The first section describes the elements of method and approach that identify modern toxicology. It includes those principles such as dosc response that arc most frcri~~cntly invoked in an under- standing of' toxicologic events. The secorld and perhaps unique section is organised according to the systemic site action of toxins. I t seeks to answer the question of what kinds of' injury are produced in specific organs or systems by particular toxic agents, and what agents might produce these effects. The third rriore conventional section groups toxic agents by chemical or use characteristics, and the final section discusses the applications of toxicology with special reference to forensic, veterinary and industrial toxicology.
The whole book is organised in such a way as to emphasise the framework of the subject and its ref'erence to other areas of human endeavour. For non- specialist readers it is possible to avoid the more technical chemical formulae and yet to achieve a reasonable understanding of the present problems which the science tackles as well as to take a look at thc aspects of the subject in which increasing stresses are likely to create the need for Surther studies and greater efforts.
The hook is thus a compromise bctwccn thc fundamental mcchanistic approach and a view ol' the broader horizons presented by the subject. As an adjunct to the more formal study of the chemical and biochemical roots of toxicology this vo1111ne is to he commcndccl.
'I.?. 1 d.
Individual Identification and The Law Enforcement Officer Donald J. Nash (SpritrgJielrl, Ill., C. C'. Thomas, 1975, 151/$., i n d e . ~ , $12.50)
In this book directed a t the police ofIicer concerned \tzitli identification or the perpetrator of crimc or the victim of disaster, Professor 'ash gathcrs togethcr an account of the biological and physical principles upon which thr various methods of identification are based.
Thcrc arc chapters on thc uniqucncss of the individual, fingcrprinr and voiceprint identification, personal appearance, forensic anthropvlugy and odontology, along with accounts of blood and other body fluids, handwriting and hair.
The hook does not uretend to be other than a peneral introduction but it L
includes a reading list of some 180 papers which supply the source material and which could with profit he read hy the interested poIice enquirer.
The book could have made more strongly than it rlnes the point that the process of identification is central to the forensic sciences and he Iegal process. The search for sameness and identity and the need fbr recognition should be understood both by police and by scientist as they sl~oulcl equally be apprr- hended by thc lawyer.
1,. 'Toan
TWO DOZEN FROM TIIE PACK
An Lnternational Pattern of Murder Ni<gel A4orLand (Ian Henry Publication.s, Hornchurch, 1977, 169#., £4.35)
This littlc compilation of 24 rnurdcr cases stretching from the 10th to the 20th centuries crisply re-tells the story, with thr benefir of additional inform-
