Dr Porntip Rojanasunan is Thailand’s most famous forensic scientist who is instantly recognisable by her punk-rock hairstyle and fashionable style. Nicknamed ‘Dr Death’ by the mass media, her findings often contradicted those of the Thai police, leading to numerous clashes between the two. She gained international attention for her work on identifying victims of the 2004 tsunami and has since raised public awareness of forensic science in Thailand. In her second book, Dr Porntip delves into some of her most well-known cases, including the grisly murder of medical student Jenjira Ployangunsri, the mysterious disappearance of Thai-Muslim human rights activist Khun Somchai Neelapajit, and the death of Malaysian political aide Teoh Beng Hock. She also discusses the role of forensic science in stabilising the violent insurgency in southern Thailand and reflects on the milestones in her life. Brutally honest, Dr Porntip never flinches from the gruesome possibilities as she unearths the truth despite obstacles at every turn.

Dr Porntip Rojanasunan was the Director (2008 -2013, 2014) of Thailand’s Central Institute of Forensic Science, an independent laboratory that she co-founded in 2002 under the Ministry of Justice. In 2013, she was Inspector-General in the Ministry of Justice. Born in 1954, Dr Porntip has received many awards for her contributions to Thai society and was conferred the honorific title of Khunying by the King of Thailand in 2003. She was voted the most trustworthy person in Thailand in the Reader’s Digest Trust Survey 2010. She has also been named an outstanding defender of human rights.