Traces cover art

Traces

The Memoir of a Forensic Scientist and Criminal Investigator

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Traces

By: Patricia Wiltshire
Narrated by: Antonia Beamish
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About this listen

In Traces, Professor Patricia Wiltshire will take you on a journey through the fascinating edgeland where nature and crime are intertwined.

She'll take you searching for bodies of loved ones - through woodlands, along hedgerows, field-edges, and through plantations - solving time since death, and disposal of remains, from ditches to living rooms.

She will give you glimpses of her own history: her loves, her losses, and the narrow little valley in Wales where she first woke up to the wonders of the natural world. Pat will show you how her work with a microscope reveals tell-tale traces of the world around us, and how these have taken suspects of the darkest criminal activities to court.

From flowers, fungi, tree trunks to car pedals, walking boots, carpets, and corpses' hair, Traces is a fascinating, unique, and utterly compelling audiobook on life, death, and one's indelible link with nature.

©2019 Patricia Wiltshire (P)2019 Bonnier Books UK Law Professionals & Academics Science & Technology Social Sciences Thought-Provoking Forensics

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Critic reviews

"Engrossing, emotionally honest and forensically fascinating." (Dr Richard Shepherd, author of Unnatural Causes)

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i found the book utterly fascinating and gripping. Whilst some of author's personal opinions may be expressed too authoritatively, the description of the world of forensics and the science behind it is incredibly interesting. I must say I was disappointed that it was only this long - I wanted more!

fascinating tale

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This book is a highly personal memoir looking back on the author's life and work in forensic ecology. Her curiosity, intelligence, honesty and passion shine through a narrative that can be, in the first few chapters at least, irritatingly repetitive and smug. But don't let that put you off. As the story unfolds we understand better how the experiences and personal hardships in life have shaped the strength of character, exacting standards and determination we find revealed (as far as she allows us to see) in this fascinating book. By half way through I was enthralled, not wanting the book to end, interested in the science and process of each investigation, and admiring the uncompromising honesty and clarity with which she writes about her work, her family and herself. There is no false modesty here, but justifiable pride in expertise hard won and work well done. There are few people who would have the ability or stomach for this work; its fascinating to read the story of a woman who can and does. Three weeks after listening to this audiobook I am still thinking about it. I will be recommending this book to family and friends.

Thought-provoking and ultimately enthralling

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I enjoy the chance to learn so much in such an interesting mode. I would recommend this to anyone who has a curiosity to discover how cases are proved or disproved in a court of justice.

Real whodunnit reading

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Very relaxing listen, very informative and intriguing. Would very much recommend the listen anytime anywhere

Loved it.

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Lovely narration, remarkable work and personality life shared by the author. Highly recommended audio book.

Fascinating

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I first heard of the author from a ladbible interview and had to find out more. Very interesting read, repetitive in some places (around how our body is just minerals) but it didn't detract from an extremely analytical, unemotional book on a very interesting topic

Very interesting book

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The part which botany can play within the modern investigation of crime isn't something which is given much thought to. This book explores this and the life of one of its top proponents.

I found the whole book very enjoyable and exciting; the different elements are beautifully interwoven to create a very memorable.

The passages which describe the various crimes and their investigations an
are written without sensationalism and are mindful of those left behind; so many books are disrespectful using this aspect to drive sales.

It was very interesting to hear the author's problem solving as she was faced with varying materials, botanical substances and crime scenes. I found the way a run of the mill, cheap process could be a key to presenting results, as much as a piece of expensive equipment showed that often it is the long-established process which still is valuable.

The style of writing brings a feeling of being within the author's circle of friends as you hear about her life, studies and career. The feeling is hightend by the choice of reader who's voice is very pleasant to listen to. It is certainly something which increases the pleasure of the audiobook.

If you enjoyed the books by Professor Dame Sue Black, I think you would also enjoy this book.

Botany, life and solving crimes

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The story gave great I sight and the narration brought it to life.
It is an audio book that keeps you listening.

Fascinating

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This is part autobiography and part memoir about the criminal cases that Patricia has helped to solve throughout her career as a Forensic Scientist and Criminal Investigator. She specialises in pollen and can tell where a person has been by the amounts of certain types of pollen found on their clothes, or even inside their nasal passages.

Some of the cases that Patricia describes were very interesting, and I wasn’t aware of the amount of pollen and other people’s DNA that gets transferred to our clothes everyday, just from either being nearby or accidentally brushing up against people. Some of the things she talked about were a little bit bizarre, such as the body farms, but still equally intriguing. I also now know that a dead body smells of cheese and faeces! The narrator was easy to listen to as well.

I know that Patricia specialises in pollen, but I felt as though there was a little too much technical information and descriptions of the actual pollen itself. I got a bit lost during those parts as I didn’t really understand what she was trying to say about it.

I give this 4 out of 5, instead of 5 out of 5, because of the technical parts that I didn’t really understand.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys or is interested in autobiographies and memoirs, true crime, and forensic science.

Pretty good

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I'm really into medical and police dramas and found this book extremely interesting and to write it in this way is a brilliant way to explain forensics loved the book.

Very interesting as long as your not squeamish

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