Book Review: Well Done Boys — The Life and Crimes of Robert Black
| Date | 01 October 1996 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X9606900422 |
| Published date | 01 October 1996 |
| Subject Matter | Book Review |
to afford quick access in court, but a full-blown reference tool supplying
information in depth in separate chapters, each adequately outlined by
the author and with an indexed contents list. Tab cards allow for quick
location of subject areas, whilst a central index, found at the front of
volume one, affords easy access to any subject which may be of
particular interest. The loose leaf format enables the service to be updated
periodically and new chapters to be added, if necessary. Further
assistance is given by relevant statute and case tables, plus a list of
professional organizations from whom information can be obtained,
although the latter are based throughout Australia.
The expert evidence law of Australia, New Zealand and relevant
Asian countries which follow the common law has been addressed in
detail, as has US, British, Canadian and South African law, insofar as
it may provide persuasive precedent for Australian decisions.
The exhaustive list of subjects covered is quite staggering. In
Volume 1, Part 1 gives a detailed exposition of the law which governs
the reception of expert evidence in litigation, including the procedure
requirements and courtroom presentation skills. Part 2 covers
Methodology and Research, and Part 3, under a heading "Investigation
of Remains", consists of papers on Forensic Pathology, Dentistry,
Osteology and Anthropology.
In Volume 2, Parts 4, 5 and 6 contain many chapters under the
headings, "Medicine and Chiropractice", "Psychiatry and Psychology"
and "Social Work", respectively. Volume 3 contains Parts 7 and 8,
dealing with "Drug Analysis" and "Forensic Science" respectively, whilst
the continuation of Part 8, plus 9 "Environmental Analysis", 10 "Finance"
and 11 "Building and Construction", which comprises one chapter under
the heading "The Forensic Architect", occupy Volume 4.
A wealth of information is provided in an easily accessible and
understandable style, designed to satisfy the needs of practitioners,
laymen, police officers and writers, alike, whether on a strictly legal point
relating to the admissibility of expert evidence, or on a purely technical
or scientific basis in order to study the subject matter of expertise.
The all-embracing totality of the work, together with the up-dating
service available, makes this the complete alpha to omega on forensic
experts and their expertise.
WELL DONE BOYS - THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF ROBERT
BLACK, by Robert Church. Constable. Paperback £9.95.
The names of Susan Maxwell, Caroline Hogg and Sarah Harper will live
in the memories of all police officers who were serving in the UK during
the 1980s. The infamy of their kidnapping and the subsequent findings
of their abused bodies in various parts of the country caused the blood
to run hot and cold - an experience only exacerbated by the frustration
felt at the lack of success by the police in tracing the killer. The
conviction of Robert Black for the offences in 1994 brought immense
satisfaction to all, especially the officers from the six forces (English and
374 The Police Journal October 1996
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