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The Good Earth
Also mentioned are "70" and "60" series tyres, the introduction of the "runflat" tyres, like the Firestone LXX and the Dunlop Denovo (although this was obviously still known as the Total Mobility Tyre at the time of writing), and speculation about cordless tyres and the possible use of carbon fibres. For the comparatively low price of £3.95 there is no doubt that this publication is a worthwhile addition to the library of any self-respecting tyre examiner. Roger M. Thorpe
THE GOOD EARTH
Forensic Geology: Earth Sciences and Criminal Investigation Raymond C. Murray and John C. F. Tedrow (New Brunswick, Rutgers University Press, 1975; 217pp., $12.50) Of the two authors of the book under review, Professor Murray of Rutgers University is primarily a geologist with forensic interests; and a member of the Forensic Science Society. His colleague is Professor Tedrow of the same university who is a specialist on soils. The book may therefore be described as an introduction to geology with examples of forensic applications, and in this connection it is claimed that the examples given are all based on fact although the identity of the cases is deliberately hidden, often by extreme simplification. The range of the work, geologically speaking, is very wide but gem stones and mine and mineral frauds are noticeable absentees. Such work is regarded as too highly specialized for treatment in this type of book. Sherlock Holmes, of all persons, is credited with being the father of the subject, but he had more material successors in Hans Gross, Georg Popp, and of course, Edmond Locard. I t is specially interesting to be told that Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, participated in an actual case, in 1906, in which evidence on the soils involved led to a n acquittal. Most of the work deals with soils and earth, the problems of which are well known to forensic scientists concerned with contact identification of this kind -in particular that of sampling. The most sophisticated advances in the subject are not neglected, and for example, ultraviolet and infrared methods, geological physics, aerial photography and water currents are all dealt with. There is a useful glossary and a reading list. There are also numerous illustrations, mostly of geological rather than of forensic interest. Unfortunately the paper used for these is unsuitable for halftones, and the final effect is poor. This is a pity especially with the Electroscan photographs, which are important to illustrate the geological points made in the book. According to the authors the book is addressed primarily to forensic scientists, lawyers, and members of the police investigating forces; secondly to professional geologists; and thirdly to what are described as the practising or potential forensic geologists. These persons may be either geologists or soil scientists with training in forensic science. I t is believed that the book should offer for them a good background in types of problems and methods. O n the whole, the scope and treatment of the subject justify the claims made above. As stated, the book is perhaps best described as a text book of elementary geology with forensic illustrations, than as a hand-book for forensic scientistsespecially those not specifically concerned with geological exhibits. As may be expected it has a pronounced American slant but apart from the references and the cases referred to, this presents no special disadvantage to the British reader. Forensic scientists of all disciplines will find this book as a whole an interesting and useful introduction to the geological aspects of the subject, even if some of the examples used are more apposite than intriguing. Julius Grant
THE GOOD EARTH
Forensic Geology: Earth Sciences and Criminal Investigation Raymond C. Murray and John C. F. Tedrow (New Brunswick, Rutgers University Press, 1975; 217pp., $12.50) Of the two authors of the book under review, Professor Murray of Rutgers University is primarily a geologist with forensic interests; and a member of the Forensic Science Society. His colleague is Professor Tedrow of the same university who is a specialist on soils. The book may therefore be described as an introduction to geology with examples of forensic applications, and in this connection it is claimed that the examples given are all based on fact although the identity of the cases is deliberately hidden, often by extreme simplification. The range of the work, geologically speaking, is very wide but gem stones and mine and mineral frauds are noticeable absentees. Such work is regarded as too highly specialized for treatment in this type of book. Sherlock Holmes, of all persons, is credited with being the father of the subject, but he had more material successors in Hans Gross, Georg Popp, and of course, Edmond Locard. I t is specially interesting to be told that Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, participated in an actual case, in 1906, in which evidence on the soils involved led to a n acquittal. Most of the work deals with soils and earth, the problems of which are well known to forensic scientists concerned with contact identification of this kind -in particular that of sampling. The most sophisticated advances in the subject are not neglected, and for example, ultraviolet and infrared methods, geological physics, aerial photography and water currents are all dealt with. There is a useful glossary and a reading list. There are also numerous illustrations, mostly of geological rather than of forensic interest. Unfortunately the paper used for these is unsuitable for halftones, and the final effect is poor. This is a pity especially with the Electroscan photographs, which are important to illustrate the geological points made in the book. According to the authors the book is addressed primarily to forensic scientists, lawyers, and members of the police investigating forces; secondly to professional geologists; and thirdly to what are described as the practising or potential forensic geologists. These persons may be either geologists or soil scientists with training in forensic science. I t is believed that the book should offer for them a good background in types of problems and methods. O n the whole, the scope and treatment of the subject justify the claims made above. As stated, the book is perhaps best described as a text book of elementary geology with forensic illustrations, than as a hand-book for forensic scientistsespecially those not specifically concerned with geological exhibits. As may be expected it has a pronounced American slant but apart from the references and the cases referred to, this presents no special disadvantage to the British reader. Forensic scientists of all disciplines will find this book as a whole an interesting and useful introduction to the geological aspects of the subject, even if some of the examples used are more apposite than intriguing. Julius Grant