The Irish Times and Royal Irish Academy have organised a lecture this Halloween involving three leading forensic scientists, including the State pathologist, writes Dick Ahlstrom
Prepare for a lecture that will set your spine tingling this Halloween. Three leading forensic scientists will join to deliver talks on the subject: "Over their dead bodies - the secrets that dead bodies tell."
The lecture is one of an ongoing series organised jointly by The Irish Times and the Royal Irish Academy and funded by DEPFA Bank. It takes place on Thursday, October 31st at 7 p.m. in the Burke Theatre, Trinity College Dublin.
The event will be chaired by Justice Adrian Hardiman and the invited speakers include the State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, Dr Luise Scheuer of University College London and Prof David Whittaker of the University of Wales, Cardiff.
Dr Harbison has investigated literally hundreds of high profile crimes and will discuss how a forensic scientist arriving at the scene of a crime finds the clues needed to bring a felon to justice.
Dr Scheuer is an anatomist whose main interests are in the development of the juvenile skeleton. She undertakes consultancy work for the police and was a member of the British forensic team in Kosovo in 1999.
Her talk will focus on an analysis of the skeleton of Samuel Richardson (1689-1761), the printer and novelist. It lies in the crypt of St Bride's Church in Fleet Street, London. She was able to confirm that Richardson suffered from a condition that has only been diagnosed since the advent of radiation.
Prof Whittaker is a forensic dentist and is the director of a Masters in forensic dentistry course. He is a consultant to the UK Home Office in forensic dentistry, in research into ageing and dental archaeology.
He was deeply involved in the infamous Fred West case in which the murderer Fred West killed women and then buried their remains under his home. Badly decomposed remains are regularly identified by dental records which in most cases are unique to an individual.
Those wishing to attend the free lecture should contact the Royal Irish Academy to book a place. While there is no charge spaces are limited and only booked individuals may attend.
The academy may be contacted at (01) 6764222 or tickets@ria.ie