THE M U R D E R COLUMN

A Calendar of Murder : Criminal Homicide in England since 1957

Terence Morris and Louis Blom-Cooper
(Michael Joseph, London. 1964. 372 $9. Statistical Tables and Index. 301-)
The material assembled in this book provides a solid basis of fact for dis-
cussions on abolition or retention of the death penalty. The authors provide
thumb-nail sketches of the 764 men and women who between the commence-
ment of the Homicide Act 1957 and 31st December, 1962, were indicted in
England and Wales for murder. Of these 127 were capital charges, 38 persons
being found guilty of capital murder and 23 executed. In addition to a brief
description of the charges account is taken of the victims, the sentences, and
a range of other issues relevant to both law and sociology. Special attention
is given to the operation of the defence of diminished responsibility introduced
by the 1957 Act. From this mine of hitherto unobtainable material the reader
can make his own discoveries. The reviewer for instance was intrigued to
note the recurrence in at least 31 cases of multiple wounding, indicating a
frenzied assault, one victim being stabbed no less than 124 times. Inchoate
necrophilia or post mortem desecration was hinted at in 6 cases, cannibalism
in 1, vagal inhibition in 4, lesbianism in 2 and the automatism defence was
attempted without success on four occasions. Four cases disclosed allegations
that the victim actively invited homicide, three the accused's delusion that he
was under divine command to kill, while one threw up a compulsive hand-
washer, and another an insulin murder.
To this fascinating and valuable calendar the authors add a series of essays
discussing the irreversible phenomenon of homicide, the concept of malice,
victimology and the anomalies of the present law.
This is a volume to study. Alistair R. Brownlie
A R S E N I C A N D O L D LACE
Final Diagnosis
J o h n Glaister
(Hutchinson, London. 1964. 220 $$. 251-)
Indicative of the passing of a type is the title of Professor Glaister's delightful
book of reminiscences. With a light touch the author describes the days of his
youth, the remarkable prescience of his father, the interlude in Cairo and the
building up of his laboratory at Glasgow University as a self-contained centre
for the scientific aid to criminal detection. The passing too of the subject
once known as medical jurisprudence encompassing every skill from that of
interpreter of wounds to the forgery detective or the toxicologist. This may
account for the Professor's failure to mention the widening horizons of forensic
science since the Second World War and the emergence of the two major
societies whose efforts are going some way to give tongue to the articulations of
the new outlook and to repair the lack of the Medical Legal Institute which
the author laments.
Not unnaturally there are several references to the precipitin test, the com-
parison of hairs and to other techniques in which the author exhibited early and
skilled interest. Even the index contains its curiosities such as the entries
"Christmas time", "Religion", "Zeppelin raids" which remind one of the famous
"Boots it, Lord what" of the Times Index. I t is almost surprising that only
seven named cases are referred to of whom Ruxton and perhaps Carraher may
alone be generally known. Perhaps the only blunder is the reference t o the
cost of criminal legal aid not yet introduced North of the Border, but the
author does not hesitate to express his personal opinions on the role of the
medico-legist (to use his own inelegant term), the failure of the Courts in penal
policy (where he seems to abandon scientific detachment), and juvenile
delinquency and mental health legislation.
But this is a book to read, to savour and to remember. The day of the all-
rounder is almost gone. And when shall we see his like again ?
Robert O'Brien
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