A little known but interesting account of a late 19th century French serial killer and the development of modern criminal investigation and forensics.

The authors is a journalist so has an easy writing style. I also appreciated that the author did not inject his own value system while reporting on both the criminal and the views expressed by both the authorities and investigators.

I would have ranked this work higher but for the fact that it seemed to be longer than necessary. Still, recommended reading as it is both a good story and informative. ( )

I enjoyed this well researched and totally readable account of the serial killer, Joseph Vacher, (Vacher admitted to killing 11 people during the late 1800's across the French countryside), and the Forensic scientist who helped convict him, Alexandre Lacassagne.

The book is told in alternating chapters between Vacher's history and killing spree, and Lacassagne's history, prior cases, and ultimately how he concludes whether or not Vacher is legally responsible for actions.

Not only does Starr recount the personal histories of each man, but he puts everything in historical context, for example giving background about French economics and why there were so many vagabonds roaming around the countryside during this time. He also tells us about other scientific forensic theories i.e. "natural born criminals" based on certain physical characteristics, and of the first "database" of criminals' physical features and measurements used to track down and apprehend criminals across the country.

Each man's story is fascinating, Vacher's killings and his reasoning for his innocence, and Lascassagne's use of forensic evidence, way before fingerprinting, DNA evidence, and ultraviolet light became the norm, to convict criminals.

I recommend this to anyone interested in forensics or serial killers; historical true crime at its best.
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fascinating subject matter and very well-written ( )

An exceptionally good nonfic about the crimes, the hunt for and trial of 19th century French serial killer Joseph Vacher, set against the rapidly developing science of criminal forensics. Fast paced and fascinating. ( )

Generally when we think of forensics we think of it as a 20th Century thing. France was clearly ahead of the rest of the world in the late 1800s. In this book you can read about not only the fascinating murderous spree of a psychopath, but come to understand how the foundations of forensic science in relation to crime solving was laid. It is a thorough book, complete with notes and illustrations. I would recommend to any true crime enthusiasts or people interested in criminology.

The only annoying thing I found was that several French names had been spelled out phonetically in brackets bedside them. Upon seeing this, my first reaction was, 'Why is that there? Does the author think his readers are stupid and don't know how to pronounce French names so they have to be dumbed down? Surely somone with enough brain power to pick up a book on the history of forensic science and read it for fun would know the basics of French pronunciation? Maybe it was aimed at Americans? Or maybe my Australian French teacher at school when I was 13, her accent was terrible.' ( )