Book Review ARC ~ EVERY CONTACT LEAVES A TRACE

Every Contact Leaves a Trace: My Life as a Crime Scene Investigator

by Jo Ward

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SYNOPSIS –For most people, dead bodies are horrifying. They are the physical representation of everything we’re afraid of – our own mortality, the unknown, the inevitability and lack of dignity of the end.

But for Jo Ward, a dead body is absolutely fascinating…

For Jo, a normal day’s work involves getting up-close and personal with the dead – generally the murdered dead – exploring every inch of their battered and bloody bodies and finding the clues that will lead the police to their killers.

Every scene teaches her something new. Every murder is a chance to obtain justice for the dead. Because every contact leaves a trace… Jo Ward is part of a generation of pioneering women who lead forensic investigation in the UK. Her investigations into high-profile crimes – murder, domestic killings, infanticide, and rape – have been the subject of a BBC Two television documentary, Forensics – the Real CSI.

If you’re a fan of Sue Black and Patricia Wiltshire, Every Contact Leaves a Trace is for you. It’s a rare glimpse into a formidable woman and the world of forensics, chronicling some of Jo’s toughest and most groundbreaking cases and offering insight into how she copes despite seeing the most shocking excesses of humanity.

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MY THOUGHTS – I found this to be an informative and entertaining read, detailing the British author’s career in forensics. Although gory at times, which is to be expected. From how she got started and advanced through the ranks. She’s lucky enough to have a very supportive husband who was understanding when she faced challenges at work and at home. I always enjoy figuring out what some British terms mean when they differ from ours.

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PUBLISHER – Aurum – 272pages

PUBLICATION DATE – June 25^th, 2024

MY RATING – 4/5 STARS

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Jo Ward is a senior forensics specialist in the West Midlands. She investigates high profile crimes, including murder, domestic killings, attempted murder, infanticide, and rape. Jo has been working in crime scene investigation for nearly twenty-six years. Her life and work have been the topic of a BBC Two television documentary, Forensics – the Real CSI.

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