Bernard Knight

The fourth edition of Knight's Forensic Pathology continues to be the definitive international resource for those in training and in practice, covering all aspects of the medico-legal autopsy, including the cause and time of death, interpretation of wounds and every other facet of the investigation of a fatality.The contents are intended to lead the pathologist – and in some countries, the non-pathologist – through the procedures needed in the examination of a body found under obscure, suspicious or even criminal circumstances.Although police procedures and the habits of pathologists may vary from country to country, the philosophy and techniques presented in this book offer a guide to good practices that can be modified according to local circumstances.In this new edition the text has been thoroughly updated and is complemented by the addition of over 200 new colour illustrations. It maintains the praised tradition of clarity and readability established since Prof. Bernard Knight’s first edition was published in 1991, with an emphasis on the practical application of knowledge and research findings and the avoidance of over-interpretation.

Knight’s Forensic Pathology has become a standard reference book worldwide. The unambiguous style, practical orientation, and an approach based strictly on scientific evidence together with the experience of the authors have contributed to this success. A cautious and self-critical interpretation of autopsy findings is required for a correct diagnosis, and these findings become the cornerstone for investigating unexplained fatalities. Whenever possible, macroscopic evaluation should be complemented by visiting the scene of death, pre-autoptic imaging, biochemical and toxicological analyses as well as histological examinations.This latest edition represents a comprehensive revision, incorporating cutting-edge research and contemporary scientific literature in the field. The text has been significantly enriched with an extensive collection of new full-colour photographic documentation, primarily sourced from recent forensic autopsies conducted at the prestigious Freiburg Institute of Forensic Medicine. The commitment to case-based learning is maintained by presenting meticulously documented cases that highlight crucial morphological findings—an approach that remains invaluable in developing the forensic pathologist's critical diagnostic acumen and observational expertise. Reviews of the previous edition."This remains one of the most important books in this field of pathology. It is comprehensive and well written. The images and drawings are carefully chosen and nicely depict common and uncommon problems encountered in forensic pathology. This book is highly recommended for everyone who performs medicolegal autopsies and should be in all pathology and general hospital libraries."Doody's Book Review Service“This book is, and will remain for some time, the international benchmark for general forensic pathology and should be on the shelves of every forensic department and library. It is a joy to read and never fails to yield pertinent information and details on cases, conditions and issues” - Roger W. Byard, School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology, Springer

1192. Returning from the Holy Land at the end of the Third Crusade with Richard the Lionheart, King of England, Sir John de Wolfe, a Devon knight, finds England simmering with rebellion. Discovering a body washed up on the shores of the River Exe, its throat cut, Sir John deduces that he was a king's courier. Tasked by Hubert Walter, the Chief Justiciar, to find out why the man died and who killed him, Sir John de Wolfe finds himself drawn unwillingly into affairs of state. His new career as a king's coroner is about to begin...

The development of forensic pathology in Britain is told here through the lives of five outstanding medical pioneers. Spanning seventy years, their careers and achievements marked major milestones in the development of legal medicine, their work and innovation laying the foundations for modern crime scene investigation (CSI). Bernard Spilsbury, Sydney Smith and Professors Glaister, Camps and Simpson were the original expert witnesses. Between them, they performed over 200,000 postmortems during their professional careers, establishing crucial elements of murder investigation such as time, place and cause of death. This forensic quintet featured in many of the notable murder trials of their time, making ground-breaking discoveries in the process. They were treated as celebrities by the media, and news that they were ‘on the case’ featured in numerous headlines. In the best traditions of scholarship, they also worked as teachers, passing on their knowledge and experience to future pathologists.

The 14th gripping murder mystery to feature 12th century coroner, Crowner John

London, 1196. At the command of Richard the Lionheart, Sir John de Wolfe has left his beloved West Country for the Palace of Westminster, where he has been appointed Coroner of the Verge. But with the king overseas, embroiled in a costly war against King Philip of France, Sir John is dismayed to discover that the English court is a hotbed of greed, corruption and petty in-fighting. The murder of one of the palace clerks, stabbed in broad daylight and thrown into the River Thames, leads John to suspect that there's a conspiracy underway to overthrow King Richard. And with the visit of the dowager Queen Eleanor fast approaching, the new Coroner must risk his life to prove his suspicions are right, root out the traitors within and prevent a national catastrophe.

Exeter, 1195. When a prominent burgess and guild-master falls dead across his horse, Crowner John declines to hold an inquest as the man had been complaining of chest pains and shows no sign of injury. Events take a sinister turn, however, when a straw-dolly is found hidden under the man's saddle.

When an old friend, a knight of the Temple of Solomon, discovers a secret with devastating potential ramifications for Christianity, Crowner John assists the knight's escape from his secret order of warrior monks, an endeavor that proves life threatening for both. Original.

May 1195, and Sir John de Wolfe is faced with a strange series of murders. The common factor is that an appropriate Biblical text is left at the murder scene, reflecting the alleged sin of the victim. Since only one per cent of the population can read, de Wolfe believes the killer to be a priest.

The fifth novel in the increasingly popular Medieval mystery series featuring Crowner John, Devon's first county coroner.