Crime Scene Investigation World Book Night with Jonathan Wright

Just before changing all my life by moving from Portugal to England, I had to face a long process of applications that took me around 3 months and a lot of cash. I felt that the economy back in Portugal wasnt prepared to face the revolution of a globalisation, our weak scientific industry wasnt ready to accept the many graduates that a"stuck in 1st gear" educational system was generating, and a personal sense of utter dismay strongly disconnected me from the Biotechnological Engineering course I was chewing for so long. 

Hence, I decided to apply to different universities offering Biotechnology courses and also Forensics (another passion of mine). Along with Toxicology, Forensics and Biotechnology compose the posy of subjects that really trigger my heart to beating faster than the speed of light. 

Fate wrote that Id join the University of Nottingham, Biotechnology would be the topic of study and here I am today. But I never let the Toxicology and Forensics bonfires die inside. whenever possible I invest in my personal education by cultivating my knowledge learning from very experienced/talented people who master these sciences.

And thats what happened yesterday. The moment I knew Jonathan Wright was going to speak in a public event taking place in the Nottingham Central Library, I had to be there. At 7 pm there I was in a crowd so representative of the crazy affection (lets kindly call it paranoia) British people have for crime books. At least 85% of the public (around 50 people, maybe?) were over 45 years old there and eager to learn from a speaker who knows how to grab the publics attention. 

Jonathan Wright is the Programme Leader for Forensic Sciences and Forensic Science with Criminology undergraduate degrees, as well as a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Sciences in the University of Derby. His research interests are related to blood pattern analysis, firearms, vehicles and vehicle related crime, latent mark development and fire investigation. But we can safely say studying blood crimes is his real thing. Jonathan is a real experienced professional that has worked in many mediatic cases like the Jill Dando murder, for example. So, all in all, I couldnt miss this chance. 

The talk was incredibly interesting, at points slightly soft for someone with a science background, but the feeding of new information was ever present. In the end I popped into a space reserved for the displaying of some books and made a note of the different ones suggested by the organisers of this event.

Take a look at this short list of books that I will definitely be reading in the coming future, as soon as I finish the other 30-odd I still have on my bedside table!!!!!!!

"The everything private investigation book"

Paperback from $12.86 on Amazon

Rated 4 stars by 21 reviewers.

"The science of Sherlock Holmes"

Paperback from $12.93 on Amazon

Rated 4.5 stars by 28 reviewers.

"Crime Busting: Breakthrough in Forensic Science"

Paperback from £14.37 on AbeBooks.co.uk

Rated 4 stars by the bookseller.

"Confessions of a police constable"

Paperback from £7.99 on Amazon

Rated 4.5 stars by 165 reviewers.

"Understanding criminal investigation (Wiley series in Psychology of Crime, Policing and Law)"

Paperback from £38.99 on Amazon

Unrated.

"Know when someone lies to you"

Paperback from £21.88 on Amazon

Unrated.

Have a good read. I know I will!

1st image taken from Mr Jonathan Wright, University of Derby, [http://www.derby.ac.uk/staff/jonathan-wright/], last visited on the 24th of April 2015, last update unknown.

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Superbugs could cast the world back into the dark ages David Cameron says

The Prime Minister calls for united action amid fears manageable illnesses like pneumonia and tuberculosis could kill huge numbers

David Cameron is to announce an independent review to identify why the drugs market is not producing new products

The world could be "cast back into the dark ages of medicine" where people die from treatable infections because deadly bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, David Cameron has warned.

The Prime Minister has called for governments and drug companies around the world to work together to "accelerate" the discovery of a new generation of antibiotics.

His intervention comes amid fears in the medical profession that manageable illnesses like pneumonia and tuberculosis could kill huge numbers of people like they did early in the twentieth century.

About 25,000 people die annually across Europe because of infections that are resistant to antibiotic drugs, Mr Cameron said.

Mr Cameron is to announce an independent review led by Jim O’Neill, the economist, to identify why the international market has failed to bring forward new drugs.

The Prime Minister wants to set out a plan for encouraging and accelerating the discovery and development of a new generation of powerful drugs.

GPs could also be told to stop prescribing antibiotics when they are not needed.

“For many of us, we only know a world where infections or sicknesses can be quickly remedied by a visit to the doctor and a course of antibiotics," Mr Cameron said.

“This great British discovery has kept our families safe for decades, while saving billions of lives around the world.

“But that protection is at risk as never before.

“Resistance to antibiotics is now a very real and worrying threat, as bacteria mutates to become immune to its effect."

Overuse of antibiotics for minor infections has resulted in bacteria becoming resistant to medicines.

Drug companies now invest less money in new antibiotics because they cost so much to develop.

Patents for many antibiotics have expired, leading more companies to join the market.

It means the drug firms are making smaller profits and investing less in vital cures.

Mr Cameron said: “With some 25,000 people a year already dying from infections resistant to anti-biotic drugs in Europe alone, this is not some distant threat but something happening right now.

“If we fail to act, we are looking at an almost unthinkable scenario where antibiotics no longer work and we are cast back into the dark ages of medicine where treatable infections and injuries will kill once again.

“That simply cannot be allowed to happened and I want to see a stronger, more coherent global response, with nations, business and the world of science working together to up our game in the field of antibiotics."

Mr Cameron held discussions with world leaders about the issue last month at a meeting of the G7.

The lack of new drugs which are capable of fighting bacteria has been described by the World Health Organisation as one of the most significant global risks facing modern medicine.

Without urgent action the world is heading for a post-antibiotic era, experts have warned.

Mr O’Neills review will focus on the development, use and regulatory environment around antibiotics.

It will explore how to make investment in new antibiotics more attractive to pharmaceutical companies and other funding bodies.

GPs could also be told to stop giving patients antibiotics when they demand them for non-bacterial illnesses like the common cold.

Mr Cameron also wants to Increase cooperation and support for action by the international community, including much closer working with low and middle income countries.

By Peter Dominiczak, Assistant Political Editor

The Telegraph, 1st of July 2014

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TODAY IS WORLD SJÖGRENS DAY!

TODAY IS

WORLD SJÖGRENS DAY!

World Sjögrens Day commemorates the birthday of Henrik Sjogren, a Swedish opthalmologist who first identified the disease in 1933. Today creates an ideal opportunity for you to talk about Sjogrens with the people in your life and provide much needed awareness for this common yet little known disease. By sharing your story and educating others, you are helping spread the message that Sjögrens is a serious and life-altering disease and it deserves to be recognized. You may also be helping someone who is looking for answers to their problems.

We also encourage you to make a donation today to help further Sjögrens research and awareness. You can donate in honor of Dr. Sjögren, yourself, a loved one. You can also encourage your family and friends to make a donation. Each and every donation will greatly impact the efforts of the SSF.

Thank you for your support. Together we can transform the future of Sjögrens!

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