logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2015
49m 22s

Forensic Science

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

A Forensic look at Forensics

No dead strawberries this week, but plenty of dead bodies, as Brian Cox and Robin Ince take a gruesome look at the science of death and some of the more unusual ways that forensic scientists are able to look for and gather clues and evidence. From insects that can be used to give a precise time of death, to the unusual field of forensic botany, It's not just DNA evidence that can be used to pinpoint someone to the scene of a crime. They are joined on stage by Professor Sue Black from the University of Dundee, Dr Mark Spencer, a forensic botanist at the Natural History Museum and comedian Rufus Hound.

Up next
Dec 2025
The North Pole Unwrapped - Russell Kane, Felicity Aston and Lloyd Peck
In this Christmas episode of The Infinite Monkey Cage, Brian Cox and Robin Ince head to the North Pole to explore the dazzling science behind the northern lights, the extreme adaptations that help animals - and even Santa Claus - survive the Arctic cold, and how the Earth’s magne ... Show More
42m 22s
Dec 2025
Monkey Business - Robin Dunbar, Dave Gorman and Jo Setchell
In perhaps the monkiest Infinite Monkey Cage episode there’s ever been, Brian Cox and Robin Ince attempt to uncover the secrets of love, lust and friendship in primates. Swinging by to offer a hand (or tail) are evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar, anthropologist Jo Setchell, ... Show More
42m 30s
Dec 2025
Head in the Clouds - Owain Wyn Evans, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Amanda Maycock
Robin Ince and Brian Cox look up to the heavens as they try to ‘de-mistify’ the foggy science of clouds. They’re joined by Cloud Appreciation Society founder Gavin Pretor-Pinney, climate scientist Amanda Maycock, and former weather presenter and drummer Owain Wyn Evans, for a whi ... Show More
42m 24s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2021
How Can Science Help Us to Solve Crimes?
Ever watch those crime TV shows and wonder how the forensic scientists process all that evidence? Listen to this fun and informative chat with Dr. Kelly Elkins, biochemist and forensic scientist. Learn all about DNA, fingerprints, and solving for clues!  
29m 54s
Nov 2023
How Can Bugs Help Solve Murders?
It's a gross but very useful fact that some insects will eat deceased humans, because scientists can observe those insects to learn about where and when a person died. Learn about forensic entomology in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffwo ... Show More
7m 35s
Jul 2016
The Failings of Forensic Science, Part I
<p>What if bad science put you in prison for a crime you didn't commit? How many guilty offenders are still out there because of pseudoscience, fraud or disorganized laboratories? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Joe and Christian review the use of forensic science in ... Show More
56m 47s
May 2022
Forensics, DNA, and Identifying Missing Soldiers
<p>How do you identify human remains? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice explore DNA and the task to identify the remains of missing soldiers with biomedical scientist Tim McMahon and forensic anthropologist Franklin Damann. What is the DPAA?  </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can w ... Show More
58m 55s
Oct 2025
A science heist
The daylight robbery of precious crown jewels from the Louvre museum in Paris has us stealing your attention to inspect heists and crime scenes in science.We explore how stealthy spiders use tricks and deceit to rob precious prey from one another, and we look at how seagulls and ... Show More
49m 30s
Feb 2022
The Good and the Bad of TV Forensics
Raychelle Burks is a forensic chemist and an associate professor at American University. She's also a big fan of murder mysteries. Today, we talk pop culture forensics with Raychelle and what signs to look for to know whether or not a tv crime show is getting the science right. ( ... Show More
12m 29s
Oct 2022
Crimes in the Wild
True crime mysteries can be dark and thrilling. But what if humans can't crack the case? What if the suspect ... isn't human? This hour, TED Radio Hour investigates crimes with a wild twist. Guests include forensic scientist Lauren Pharr Parks, author Mary Roach, dog trainer and ... Show More
49m 47s
Jan 2022
True Crime & Forensic Pathology with Patricia Cornwell & Dr. Jonathan Hayes
<p>How can you get away with murder? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice explore forensic pathology and autopsies with medical examiner and author Jonathan Hayes, featuring an interview with author of <i>Autopsy,</i> Patricia Cornwell. </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patro ... Show More
54m 52s
Oct 2016
DNA and the Smell of Death
In these cases, emerging DNA evidence and the smell of death (yes, really) pushed the boundaries of what was technologically possible. But how reliable are they? To find out, we go to a body farm and talk to Assoc. Prof. Joan Bytheway, Asst. Prof. Sheree Hughes-Stamm, Matt Young, ... Show More
48m 49s
Apr 2024
Part One: The Bastards of Forensic Science
Forensic Science is supposed to provide perfect certainty in the most serious criminal cases. What if it's all a bunch of bullshit? Robert sits down with Dr. Kaveh Hoda to talk about all the myriad cons in forensic "science.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
1h 13m