Customer Reviews

Corpse: Nature, Forensics, And The Struggle To Pinpoint Time Of Death

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"Corpse" is nauseating on two counts. First, it includes grisly details of murders so heinous they will haunt your waking hours, if not your nightmares. Second, it describes step-by-step, many times, exactly what happens to a rotting corpse. If you are unaccustomed to reading or thinking about such things on a regular basis, it will turn your stomach.

Despite my disgust for the subject matter, I found the book hard to put down. It was entertaining to read about how experts in various academic fields--entomology, anthropology, and botany--have been recruited for time-of-death determinations. Some of these engaging personalities became the first forensic ecologists. The book describes some of their research projects as well as the crimes they helped solve. Although "Corpse" gives center stage to the entomologists and anthropologists, the three chapters near the end about botany and chemistry show the reader that these lines of research are equally credible and promising.

I didn't really know anything about this subject before reading the book, and now I know almost too much about it for my own peace of mind. I find myself remembering all the crime scenes I've ever read about or seen in movies, and critiquing them in light of what I've just read. In summary, "Corpse" is fascinating, memorable, and informative, but definitely not for the squeamish.

Science can now tell us much about the functions of the human body, but when exactly a body expires still remains nature's secret. This elusive datum is of extreme importance in homicide investigations, as the time of death can help identify the victim, identify the murderer, or clear or incriminate a suspect. Forensic experts have been allow to testify in homicide cases for dozens of years now, and in high profile cases (most notably, OJ Simpson), and juries have reached decisions based largely on their testimonies. However, there is yet an accurate measure of time of death and "expert" testimony is really nothing more than an educated guess. The methods of anatomical measurement used now - rigor, livor and algor mortis, and the analysis of stomach contacts and eyeball fluid - can't narrow the time beyond half a day or so, and there are too many environmental and internal factors that can skew any probable window of time of death. As a result, there is a major need to find a credible method to find the human body's off switch, so that innocents won't be wrongly convicted and murderers freed.

In Corpse, pop-science author Jessica Snyder Sachs makes the case that a possible solution might be in the under-appreciated (and horribly disgusting) fields of forensics entomology and forensics botany. In stomach-churning details, she explains the use of maggots and other insects in helping pinpoint the time of death. Very graphically, it is described how long it would take for a sunflower to grow out of a corpse's empty eye socket, or for maggots to pupate on a bloated belly.

The book is actually very fascinating and engrossing (as well as just gross), and I do agree that entomology, anthropology and botany can help aid the process of time of death determination. I don't, however, think they are the golden keys to unlocking this mystery, since there are just as many variables to skew any reasonable estimate by using them as there are with the anatomical measurements. Still, this book was very well-researched and enlightening, and I learned a lot, namely: 1) I'm definitely getting cremated, and 2) I don't think I could eat rare meat for awhile.

Remember "Green Eggs & Ham"? This book is not at all like that one. But the moral of Dr. Seuss' classic holds true with respect to "Corpse": Don't be put off by outward appearances, something that looks or sounds bad might actually be quite good.

First time author Snyder Sachs takes a forbidding subject and makes it both interesting and, more importantly, a pleasure to read. Whether in a plane, on a beach, or at bedtime, "Corpse" will hold your attention. But wait, the real fun starts when you put the book down and discuss the subject matter with your friends and family. The mention, for example, of "maggots churning across a nearly severed neck" has never failed to attract attention in a crowded room.

I know what you're thinking: "icky!" but that brings us back to Dr. Seuss. The beauty of Snyder Sachs' pace and prose prevents the reader from turning away in disgust. On the contrary, while piquing the morbid curiosity in all of us, "Corpse" begins on a dignified, lively plane and remains there -- "Corpse" is anything but dead. It may not be your usual subject matter for light reading but it is well worth it. Say, I do like green eggs & ham.

Often expectations make or break an experience. In the case of Corpse, I had expected a more general discussion of forensic methodologies and the usual case-study method (similar to those books by well-known pathologists). This book, however, focuses its attention mostly on "Bugs," and to a significantly smaller extent anthropology and botany. The history of the development of each specialty was interesting and the "no-holds-barred" approach to the results of decay was well-handled. While the book was not as "light" as I had originally expected, it was an informative and entertaining read.

Whether you enjoy a good murder mystery on occaision, or prefer watching a nature program on the Discovery Channel, you might well enjoy Corpse, as I did. The author places the new discipline of forensic ecology in a 2,000+ year historical perspective around the struggle to determine time of death. It aroused my interests in everything from history, evolution and nature to creative deductive reasoning. The sensational aspects of the discipline's application only add to its appeal, while the author's light touch makes for a fast read and humorous--but respectful--treatment of the subject matter.

If you missed the chance to meet the slightly oddballish but at the same time most interesting forenic guys from the U.S. who work on insects found on corpses, know all about how the bones of a 40-year old black male should look like, or how long it takes for a sunflower to grow on a corpse, this is the book for you. The author did an amazing job in contacting more or less all well-known scientists from the U.S. forensic biology/anthropology crowd. Since some of Snyder-Sachs` protagonists wrote their own books, you can even use those to go a little deeper into biographical, or scientific detail. Meanwhile, „Corpse" will give you a popular, deeply researched overview over the field of postmortem interval determination. The book has lots of drive since it goes from case report to case report, plus it will give you a good idea about how the forensic people work, think and behave.
Being a European reader, I also like the fact that some historical remarks found their way into the book. But don't be afraid, it's not dry numbers but mostly case reports again. If you are a non-U.S. reader, you may find it interesting to learn more about the variety of scientific methods that were checked and approved by the legal system in the U.S., and to compare it to your own.
As a forensic scientist, I am also glad that „Corpse" is out now since many of my undergraduate students cannot tell the difference between what happens at the „Body Farm", a Chief Medical Examiner's Office, and an Institute for Forensic Entomology. If they keep pestering me, I`ll just send the next forensic generation to the library (which is a good place to visit, anyway). There, „Corpse" will tell them all in the best possible popular way.
However, you absolutely don't need to be a student to enjoy the book. It will make a good bathtub, or late night, or train ride read for anyone interested in criminalistic techniques, stories, and deduction. And who would not be?

Learning the time of death is crucial in many cases of unnatural death, yet it's still not an exact science. Jessica Snyder Sachs handles the grisly topic with confidence and a conversational tone. The book takes you through the history of determining time of death and then details the recent and current science of it without once slipping into dry academic style or overwrought drama. She uses many anecdotes that bring the topic to life (if you will excuse the expression), and her word sketches of the scientists involved shows the human side of science. Sachs is an accomplished science writer, and it shows. The book is fascinating, not for the faint of stomach but not deliberately grisly either. It's an excellent, readable work, one you'll find hard to put down.

I met Ms. Sachs last year, and interviewed her for a review of the book on another website. We sat in her back yard, talking about death and writing. She is gracious and knowledgeable in person, and her personable manner comes through in the book. As someone who has studied criminal justice in various forms for over 20 years, I highly recommend it.

I couldn't put this book down. It is a must read for anyone interested in science, death, anatomy, or just the bizarre aspects of decomposition! Really interesting stuff in here and the writer is at turns witty, serious, and altogether a prolific story-teller. A definite favorite in my own collection of books to read and re-read. GREAT!

I am a certifiable forensic "nut". This book is masterful, engrossing and "habit-forming" (many late nights for me attest to this!). Her writing is eloquent, clear and entertaining. Congratulations to you Ms. Sachs. You have won over a very choosy soul when it comes to forensic "entertainment". I have read the rest and now, one of the very best! At first I did not think it would appeal to me (a Christmas present from sisters who think my maudlin fascination with forensics is "icky") but I can't put it down and don't want it to end. I never knew time of death could be so engrossing and "cross-over" into so many interest facets of forensics that appeal to me.

Corpse is grisly, graphic reading. As one reader remarked, it is certainly not for the squeamish, as Sachs describes week by week what happens to our bodies as we gradually decompose. The book is much more than a mere cataloguing of which insects devour us in which order, though. At the root of the book is the important question of determing time since death - critical in the correct prosection of murder crimes.

I found the details fascinating of how forensic scientists (entomologists, anthropologists and even microbiologists) are learning more about the decompostion, dessication and eventual disintegration of human bodies. I was similarly riveted to the numerous stories of how the science was evolving and gradually coming into use in the courtroom.

The book is certainly not for everyone, and be prepared for the odd sideways glances from those who see you reading it. But it is a guilty pleasure (pardon the pun) for those who have the guts (sorry, had to do it) to read it through. Highly recommended.