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These stories starring the classic British detective character of Dr Thorndyke can be seen as a precursor to the popular CSI television shows. R. Austin Freeman introduced forensic science to the general public at a time when the science itself was new, and has his character plead for the importance of having a crime scene left alone until it can be inspected by a forensic investigator -- or as they are called here, a "medical jurist". The stories are interesting not only for the characters and plots but Freeman's attention to scientific accuracy and inclusion of diagrams and photos to illustrate the means to solution.