Agatha Christie is often mistakenly referred to as a 'cosy' crime writer, but nothing could be further from the truth. Throughout her entire cannon of detective novels, short stories and plays, she reveals herself to be inspired by some of the 20th century's most infamous crimes such as The Brides in the Bath killings and the Acid Bath Murderer. She also illustrates a comprehensive knowledge of what we now call 'Forensic Science'; something she would have described as Medicolegal Science and Criminalistics.
This talk focuses on the golden age of both Agatha's detective fiction and the burgeoning real-life sciences of crime investigation and forensics which happily collide in many of Agatha's works - often inspired by one well-known criminalist. From his investigation of the Dr Crippen case in 1910 a murder which Christie mentions in around 15 of her books forensic pathologist Bernard Spilsbury became one of the most famous men in England until his death in 1947, and the gruesome murders he testified about in court were frequently on the front page of every newspaper. Christie, then, was inspired by him and his work, and on many occasions crime fact became crime fiction.
Join Carla for a deep dive into autopsies, fingerprints, firearms, blood spatter analysis, toxicology, and more in Christie's beloved works and you'll never read her in the same way again!
Carla Valentine
Carla Valentine is a writer, broadcaster and Senior Anatomical Pathology Technologist Mortuary Technician or ‘Mortician’. She is currently the Technical Curator of a QMUL’s pathology museum, restoring the 5000 anatomical specimens to their former glory and teasing stories from the dead in a different way. She organises events to showcase the collection, teaches students, and conserves anatomical specimens every day. Her book “Post Mortems” is published by Sphere. You can currently see her in ‘Obesity: the Post Mortem’ on BBC iPlayer and ‘Fatberg Autopsy’ on 4OD.
| Ticket | Event time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
ABC of Murder
Agatha, Bernard and Crime |
15:30 - 16:55 | £12.00 |
Address
Guys Hospital Chapel, Entrance via the Courtyard, St. Thomas Street, London, SE1 9GU
Nearest Station
London Bridge (Tube)
Getting there
1. The ticket holder voluntarily assumes all risks and danger incidental to the event for which the ticket is issued, whether occurring prior, during or after the event. The ticket holder voluntarily agrees that the management, venue, event participants, DesignMyNight WFL Media Ltd and all of their respective agents, officers, directors, owners and employers are expressly released by the ticket holder from any claims arising from such causes.
2. Tickets are issued subject to the rules and regulations of the venue.
3. Please check your tickets, as mistakes cannot always be rectified.
4. Occasionally, events are cancelled or postponed by the promoter, team, performer or venue for a variety of reasons. If the event is cancelled, please contact us for information on receiving a refund from the responsible party. If the event was moved or rescheduled, the venue or promoter may set refund limitations. It is your responsibility to ascertain the date and time of any rearranged event.
5. The venue reserves the right to refuse admission and may on occasion have to conduct security searches to ensure the safety of the patrons.
6. Every effort to admit latecomers will be made at a suitable break in the event, but admission cannot always be guaranteed.
7. We regret that tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded after purchase.
8. Tickets are sold subject to the venue or promoter's right to alter or vary the programme due to events or circumstances beyond its control without being obliged to refund monies or exchange tickets.
9. If this ticket is re-sold or transferred for profit or commercial gain by anyone other than the promoter, venue management, DesignMyNight or one of their authorised sub-agents, it will become voidable and the holder may be
refused entry to or ejected from the venue.
10. The venue may operate a No Smoking Policy.
11. The promoter, venue management and DesignMyNight accept no responsibility for any personal property.
12. The event listed on the purchased ticket is strictly for ticket holders who are over 18 years of age. Identification may be required.