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5 Med. Sci. & L. 1 (1965)

handle is hein.journals/mdsclw5 and id is 1 raw text is: MEDICINE .- SCIENCE L and the LAW Vol. 5 January 1965 No. I EDITORIAL TMREn can be little doubt that crimes of violence are increasing. Whether this be a passing phase or will continue for some time, it is clear that the public is alive to the problem, and in many quarters extremely worried. It has always been part of the policy of the Academy to press for greater team-work. It is therefore with great pleasure that we note that the Journal of Forensic Science has now followed our lead and in its editorial, after mentioning the influence of great individuals in the past, feels that such days are now over and greater attention to team-work must be given. Whilst in general agreement and welcoming these observations, we feel that the influence of the individual public figure has not entirely been limited to pathologists of the calibre of Spilsbury, who in spite of his limitations which have been well appreciated, was nevertheless a power in his time. We would, also again in agreement with the author of the editorial, suggest that hand in hand with team-work goes specialised expertise, which should always be the aim of those who wish to accept the duty of presenta- tion of scientific evidence. Also that the time is past when the pathologist gives evidence on odontology, anatomy or chemical analysis and the chemist forsakes his forays into biology and serology for which he was not trained. With the advent of legal aid, the defence is no longer handicapped by lack of funds and hence is now in the position to seek assistance from the leading authorities in special subjects, a phenomenon which has not yet made its impact except in such cases as the Rhyl Mummy which was discussed at the Dinner of the Academy. It is the untimely death of Dr. W. E. D. Evans which perhaps gives weight to this idea, for his expert knowledge of hairs was rarely appreciated or exploited in the courts. So. too. his fairly recent contribution to the literature on the chemistry of death * which in its way, although not appreciated by everyone, was a product of considerable thought and research. If pursued, this may well lead to advances in the field of forensic medicine. His death is a sad loss to the younger school of forensic pathologists who often sought his quiet and unassuming advice. Another loss was that of Dr. Fyffe Dorward of Dundee. a regular attender at the Academy Meetings and one who brought the sound basic knowledge of general practice into the teaching and practice of forensic medicine In its widest sense, a qualification which was obviously appreciated when he was elected President of the Police Surgeons Association of Great Britain. * The Chemistry of Death (Springfield, Illinois: Chas. C. Thomas). I M.S.L-I

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