THIS VILLAINOUS GALTPETRE The Other Mr. Churchill Macdonald Hustings (Harrap, London, 1964. 365 $p. 151-)

This book written not for the expert or technician, is an easily read biography in the modern manner. Mr. Hastings demonstrates his familiarity with his subject, and while creating the atmosphere of the period, shows the growth of the use of ballistic science in criminal investigation in this country and presents some new material on the work and life of Churchill the famous gunmaker.

The author has a light engaging style and intersperses his narrative with anecdote and with his own brand of comment that cements a series of cases into a most readable whole. I t is not a textbook but a story which should find a place on the bookshelves of all interested in the growth of forensic science. I t is a useful reminder of the conditions in which ballistic science began to be used in police enquiries taking the reader into the courtroom and into the witness box with "The Gun Expert".

From the book a series of eight episodes was selected for television presen- tation by the British Broadcasting Corporation's "Tonight" team. The first of these, in which Mr. Hastings himself moved easily between commentary and participation, was television at its best, recreating events in a style com- bining the documentary and the dramatic. The whole series was a demon- stration of documentary presentation which must have many similarities with the preparation of the cases for trial. Like the book the series entertained as well as informed.

The book is well produced and has a useful index. Ainslie J. W. Nairn

THE RESURRECTION MEN Things for the Surgeon Hubert Cole (Heineman. London. 1964. 162 pp., bibliography and index. 301-)

In this account of the dark doings of the resurrectionists Mr. Cole has drawn on original sources such as newspapers, pamphlets and court records. In an exceptionally well documented but racy account of the gruesome traffic in corpses he discloses how the needs of scientific study were illicitly served by the unscrupulous traders in uncoffining the dead. This short-lived and scan- dalous period in our history serves to illustrate how necessary it is for the law to appreciate and march with the needs of science. Not till thousands of graves had been violated did the Anatomy Act of 1832 seek to regulate the provisioning of the anatomy schools. Only in recent years have the terms of that Act had to be reconsidered, but the horror of the grave-robbers has per- sisted and may in part account for the macabre attentions still felt to surround the legitimate opening of the last resting places in the service of justice described in the pages of the last issue of this Journal.*

Robert O'Brien (* Chaeman, this Journal, 4. 124. Ed.)

THIRD PROGRAMME Forensic Immunology, Medicine, Pathology and Toxicology : Report of the Third International Meeting (Excerpts Medica Foundation, Amsterdam, 1964. 196 $p. 551-)

This volume puts on permanent record the more important proceedings of the 1963 meeting held a t the School of Pharmacy of the University of London. In thirteen chapters the principal papers are reproduced generally by abridg- ment. A final section contains condensed transcripts of the discussion sessions. Although these are perhaps the least satisfying parts of the record they never- theless serve to bring to mind topics and viewpoints which stimulate the memory. This report, well printed in Holland and sturdily bound in soft glazed covers, is an adequate and useful record of an important conference.

Alistair R. Brownlie 224