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The testimony of teeth
Forensic Science Internutkmal, 40 (1989) 97 - 99 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd.
BOOK REVIEWS
Acute and Sub-acute Toxicology, 125 pp. X9.95.
V.K. Brown, Edward Arnold, London, 1988.
With so much current popular interest in the long term chronic effects of toxicants such as drugs, food additives and pesticide residues it is interesting to find a volume devoted entirely to acute and sub-acute toxicology. Although occasional reference is made to fish and birds the author deals almost exclusively with the principles and problems of predictive toxicity testing using mammals. This short volume 637 pages of text) comprises 5 chapters. Following a brief introduction (Chapter 11 to definitions and the objectives of acute toxicity testing, Chapter 2 is concerned with the routes by which toxicants may enter the body, i.e., via the gut, respiratory tract, skin or by injection. Chapter 3 is the most substantial - dealing with the toxicity test itself and with the quantification of response data including the dose-response relationship and the LD,. This chapter also includes a useful discussio’n of factors affecting toxicity such as the presence of other chemicals and1 physiological stress in the test animals. Entitled ‘Reduction, Refinement and Replacement’, the fourth chapter describes progress towards reducing the numbers of animals needed for toxicity testing and finding satisfactory alternatives. The book concludes with a short account of the relevance of toxicity tests, a rather elementary glossary and a surprisingly long list (6971of references. This ,well written and informative text will provide useful additional reading for students of biology, toxicology, pharmacology and medicine who may be seeking an introduction to toxicity testing as a means of evaluating new products. It is, however, not sufficiently comprehensive to act as a reference source for practising toxicologists and the statement on the cover that ‘a broad range of chemicals and their correct usage are reviewed’ is very misleading. Dr. David Pascoe
The Tes,timony of Teeth by Spencer L. Rogers, C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois. $US27.50. This small volume has been written by a research anthropologist and claims to be an authoritative source on the role of teeth in forensic 0379-0738p391$03.50
0 1989 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. Printed and Published in Ireland
investigations. It is not clear from the introduction at whom the book is aimed but it is not a specialised text and perhaps is meant to be of general interest to a non-dental audience. Chapters l-6 are devoted to basic descriptions of the normal morphology of the teeth followed by some common variations. The final chapter (Chapter 71 attempts to cover the scope of the book in that identification procedures, dental charts and records, bite marks and mass disasters are dealt with in a fashion that cannot be described as detailed. Unfortunately forensic dentistry is not a specialty in its own right, divorced from clinical expertise: it is an amalgam of sound knowledge of clinical practice with dental basic science applied to the legal situation. The book is therefore too superficial in its treatment of the subject and is probably of interest only to non-dental readers who wish to develop an overview of this particular branch of dentistry. The illustrations are a peculiar mixture of oversimplified line diagrams and sketches done from photographs. In the main they add little to the appreciation of the book. Proof reading is less than accurate, for example, on page 12 there is a section on the mandibular first permanent molar included in the description of the canine teeth. In conclusion, readers not professionally involved in the practice of forensic dentistry may find this a useful introduction to the subject but most dentists and certainly those with forensic experience would seek more authoritative sources. D. W.
A Colour Atlas of Anatomical Pathology, Robin A. Cooke and Brian Stewart. Churchill Livingstone, 1987. 262 pp. 619.95. This book comprises 665 colour photographs of largely unfixed specimens from all major organ systems excluding the skin. The authors’ purpose is stated clearly in the Preface where they indicate the difficulty of obtaining specimens for Pathology Museums but do not draw attention to the increasing awareness of the legal questions raised by obtaining and retaining such material. The photographs themselves are largely excellent although several do show reflected glare and a linear scale would have been informative in others. The text is clear and concise although the diagnosis of congenital cardiac lesions is somewhat over simplified. From the specific forensic viewpoint it is a shame that one of the photographs might be interpreted as implying that it is possible to make a diagnosis of ‘inhalation of vomitus’ from autopsy appearances. This is a well produced volume which, in these days of declining autopsy rate, will be a welcome addition to any pathologist’s library. Stephen Leadbeatter
BOOK REVIEWS
Acute and Sub-acute Toxicology, 125 pp. X9.95.
V.K. Brown, Edward Arnold, London, 1988.
With so much current popular interest in the long term chronic effects of toxicants such as drugs, food additives and pesticide residues it is interesting to find a volume devoted entirely to acute and sub-acute toxicology. Although occasional reference is made to fish and birds the author deals almost exclusively with the principles and problems of predictive toxicity testing using mammals. This short volume 637 pages of text) comprises 5 chapters. Following a brief introduction (Chapter 11 to definitions and the objectives of acute toxicity testing, Chapter 2 is concerned with the routes by which toxicants may enter the body, i.e., via the gut, respiratory tract, skin or by injection. Chapter 3 is the most substantial - dealing with the toxicity test itself and with the quantification of response data including the dose-response relationship and the LD,. This chapter also includes a useful discussio’n of factors affecting toxicity such as the presence of other chemicals and1 physiological stress in the test animals. Entitled ‘Reduction, Refinement and Replacement’, the fourth chapter describes progress towards reducing the numbers of animals needed for toxicity testing and finding satisfactory alternatives. The book concludes with a short account of the relevance of toxicity tests, a rather elementary glossary and a surprisingly long list (6971of references. This ,well written and informative text will provide useful additional reading for students of biology, toxicology, pharmacology and medicine who may be seeking an introduction to toxicity testing as a means of evaluating new products. It is, however, not sufficiently comprehensive to act as a reference source for practising toxicologists and the statement on the cover that ‘a broad range of chemicals and their correct usage are reviewed’ is very misleading. Dr. David Pascoe
The Tes,timony of Teeth by Spencer L. Rogers, C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois. $US27.50. This small volume has been written by a research anthropologist and claims to be an authoritative source on the role of teeth in forensic 0379-0738p391$03.50
0 1989 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. Printed and Published in Ireland
investigations. It is not clear from the introduction at whom the book is aimed but it is not a specialised text and perhaps is meant to be of general interest to a non-dental audience. Chapters l-6 are devoted to basic descriptions of the normal morphology of the teeth followed by some common variations. The final chapter (Chapter 71 attempts to cover the scope of the book in that identification procedures, dental charts and records, bite marks and mass disasters are dealt with in a fashion that cannot be described as detailed. Unfortunately forensic dentistry is not a specialty in its own right, divorced from clinical expertise: it is an amalgam of sound knowledge of clinical practice with dental basic science applied to the legal situation. The book is therefore too superficial in its treatment of the subject and is probably of interest only to non-dental readers who wish to develop an overview of this particular branch of dentistry. The illustrations are a peculiar mixture of oversimplified line diagrams and sketches done from photographs. In the main they add little to the appreciation of the book. Proof reading is less than accurate, for example, on page 12 there is a section on the mandibular first permanent molar included in the description of the canine teeth. In conclusion, readers not professionally involved in the practice of forensic dentistry may find this a useful introduction to the subject but most dentists and certainly those with forensic experience would seek more authoritative sources. D. W.
A Colour Atlas of Anatomical Pathology, Robin A. Cooke and Brian Stewart. Churchill Livingstone, 1987. 262 pp. 619.95. This book comprises 665 colour photographs of largely unfixed specimens from all major organ systems excluding the skin. The authors’ purpose is stated clearly in the Preface where they indicate the difficulty of obtaining specimens for Pathology Museums but do not draw attention to the increasing awareness of the legal questions raised by obtaining and retaining such material. The photographs themselves are largely excellent although several do show reflected glare and a linear scale would have been informative in others. The text is clear and concise although the diagnosis of congenital cardiac lesions is somewhat over simplified. From the specific forensic viewpoint it is a shame that one of the photographs might be interpreted as implying that it is possible to make a diagnosis of ‘inhalation of vomitus’ from autopsy appearances. This is a well produced volume which, in these days of declining autopsy rate, will be a welcome addition to any pathologist’s library. Stephen Leadbeatter