Murder Maps: Crime Scenes Revisited; Phrenology to Fingerprint 1811-1911

This book explores 19th-century murder cases from around the world, using archival maps to re-create the crimes and highlight the development of police methods and technology. It includes cases such as the French Ripper and H.H. Holmes, and is written by crime expert Dr Drew Gray.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 24 September 2020
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

This chilling volume delves into the most captivating and intriguing 19th-century murders that took place across the globe, embarking readers on a perilous journey through the darkest regions of the world. With an increasing level of specificity, the murders are charted across various cities and regions, beginning with broad overviews that gradually narrow down to street-level diagrams and detailed floor plans. Every aspect of each crime is meticulously re-plotted on archival maps, capturing the movements of both the killer and the victim, as well as the final location of the body. The murders revisited span a wide range of cases, from the infamous French Ripper, Joseph Vacher, who brutally murdered and mutilated over twenty shepherds and shepherdesses in the French countryside, to H.H. Holmes, who constructed a hotel in Chicago specifically designed to entrap, murder, and dispose of its numerous guests.

Crime expert Dr. Drew Gray provides in-depth insights into each case, recounting both the horrifying details of the crimes and the ingenious detective work that led to the eventual capture of the murderers. He highlights the evolution of police methods and technology, from the introduction of the police whistle to the standardization of mugshots and fingerprinting, and from the invention of radio telegraphy to the use of advanced surveillance techniques.

To complement the textual narrative, disturbing crime-scene photographs by pioneers of policework, such as Alphonse Bertillon, and contemporary illustrations from sensationalist magazines of the day, including the Illustrated Police News and the Petit Journal, are included. These images provide a macabre visual accompaniment to the chilling stories, adding to the overall sense of intrigue and horror.

This volume serves as a testament to the enduring fascination with true crime and the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of unimaginable tragedy. It offers a chilling glimpse into the darker corners of human nature and the remarkable achievements of law enforcement agencies in solving some of the most baffling and notorious murders of the 19th century.

Weight: 822g
Dimension: 185 x 264 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780500252451