The Natural History of Crime: Case studies in death and the clues nature leaves behind (Hardback) - Patricia Wiltshire

Working at the interface of where the criminal and natural world interact, Patricia will show us how she finds the answers to some of the worst crimes imaginable.

'I love puzzles, and finding answers is the only truly enjoyable part of what I do.'

Professor Patricia Wiltshire is a forensic ecologist, her days spent at crime scenes collecting samples, standing over dead bodies in a mortuary, or looking down her microscope for evidence.

Working at the interface of where the criminal and natural world interact, Patricia has been involved in some of the most high-profile murder cases. Now, through a study of her most infamous, and fascinating cases - including the murder of Sarah Payne, and the Soham murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman - Patricia will show us how she finds the answers to some of the worst crimes imaginable. Not only does she help the police solve crimes and give answers to the most bemusing circumstances, she can help to exonerate the innocent and enable confessions from the guilty.


In The Natural History of Crime we join Patricia in putting the puzzle together, teasing the evidence out of her cases and showing us all how life and death have always been, and always will be, intertwined. Nature has given us a messy, imperfect world, but her job is to help make sense of it when we need it to most.

Praise for Patricia Wiltshire's memoir, Traces:

Astonishing... absolutely fascinating. - Lynda La Plante

'It's truly forensically fascinating (even for someone in the field!) while also being emotionally honest and challenging at times. Pat is really to be congratulated for an excellent and engrossing book. - Dr Richard Shepherd, author of Unnatural Causes.

About the Author

Professor Patricia Wiltshire has worked on over 300 criminal cases across the UK, including some of the highest profile cases of the past 25 years. A leading voice in forensic science, she has worked with every police force in the UK on cases involving rape, murder, abduction, neglect, and searching for graves and hidden remains.