Postmortem — Why forensic science is nothing like CSI

Big Ideas

Humans have long had a morbid fascination with murder and other crimes, as shown through the popularity of shows like CSI and Silent Witness. But how close are these tv dramas to the real thing? Three forensic pathologists spill the beans on what it's really like to work in the science of death.

This Sisters in Crime event was recorded on 24 May 2024 as part of Victorian Law Week.

Speakers

Associate Professor Linda IIes Head of forensic pathology services, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine

Dr Melanie Archer Forensic entomologist and pathologist, Victorian Institute of Forensic MedicineAdjunct senior lecturer, Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University

Dr Samantha Robotham Forensic Anthropologist, Victorian Institute of Forensic MedicineAdjunct Research Fellow, Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University

Liz Porter (host) Author, Written On The Skin: An Australian forensic casebook, Cold Case Files: Past crimes solved by new forensic science and morePhD, LaTrobe University