Horizon

Crime Lab

A jewel robbery, a hit-and-run, and the Case of the Skeleton in the Sand Dunes illustrate the work of forensic scientists and the police they assist. How do they discover the characteristics of an individual bullet as it enters a body? How are blood stains identified or microscopic flakes of paint? How do voiceprints and lie-detectors work? The crime labs of Britain and America have different priorities and different techniques. Each can learn from the other. They also have different success rates. Britain's is currently better. But how long can we hold out against a rapidly rising tide of drugs and violence? What can we learn from American experience?