WORKING IN A WORLD WHERE DEATH ALWAYS DOMINATES REAL LIFE
Working in a world where death always dominates real life
Jack Crane's job was central in the Omagh bomb, the Balkans war crimes and the grisly murder spree of Dr Harold Shipman
JACK Crane is the man who unlocks the secrets of the dead.
As one of the world's leading forensic scientists and State Pathologist for Northern Ireland, Professor Crane is the subject of an intriguing new BBC Northern Ireland documentary in a world where death dominates life.
Unfinished Business, on BBC ONE Northern Ireland on Wednesday, October 2 at 10.35pm, is a 40-minute ground-breaking documentary that follows the work of the man whose job can involve the investigation of war crimes in the war-torn Balkans, assisting the Omagh enquiry or the prosecution of the deadly Dr Harold Shipman.
Prof. Crane's 19-year career as State Pathologist for Northern Ireland has made him an expert in post-mortem examinations while his work also involves dealing with 'everyday' 'routine' cases including murders, suicides and 'ordinary' non-violent deaths.
The documentary made for BBC Northern Ireland by Double-Band Films over a twelve-month period, follows the work of Professor Jack Crane as he deals with a range of cases in his curious profession.
Unfinished Business reveals how a man, unknown to most in Northern Ireland, can deal so matter-of-factly and objectively with death, post mortem examinations and human suffering, while enjoying antiques, fine wine and being a food critic for Egon Ronay's Good Food Guide.
Dermot Lavery of Double-Band Films who produced the documentary said: "No one has ever followed the work of Professor Jack Crane before and the documentary is an intriguing insight into a world which is both fascinating and macabre that will give viewers the chance to see the world of a man who combines death with life.
"It was certainly a fascinating documentary to make and to meet a man whose work is sometimes surreal in many aspects.
Unfinished Business reveals that there's more to Professor Jack Crane and more to his work as State Pathologist than what people may think from having watched programmes like Silent Witness or Quincy. This is the real thing!"
The programme follows Prof Crane as he combines his life as State Pathologist and as Professor of Forensic Science at Queen's University Belfast - sometimes his students getting a very practical demonstration of forensic science.
The documentary also shows that Jack's skills and expertise are crucial as evidence in judicial cases including one case where his forensic expertise helped free a man from jail - twenty-three years after a wrongful murder conviction.
While Prof. Crane's work may be viewed by some as macabre, he himself is adamant that his work does not intrude on his private life, and, while dealing with death may be demanding, for him it's never disturbing.
Jack Crane's job was central in the Omagh bomb, the Balkans war crimes and the grisly murder spree of Dr Harold Shipman
JACK Crane is the man who unlocks the secrets of the dead.
As one of the world's leading forensic scientists and State Pathologist for Northern Ireland, Professor Crane is the subject of an intriguing new BBC Northern Ireland documentary in a world where death dominates life.
Unfinished Business, on BBC ONE Northern Ireland on Wednesday, October 2 at 10.35pm, is a 40-minute ground-breaking documentary that follows the work of the man whose job can involve the investigation of war crimes in the war-torn Balkans, assisting the Omagh enquiry or the prosecution of the deadly Dr Harold Shipman.
Prof. Crane's 19-year career as State Pathologist for Northern Ireland has made him an expert in post-mortem examinations while his work also involves dealing with 'everyday' 'routine' cases including murders, suicides and 'ordinary' non-violent deaths.
The documentary made for BBC Northern Ireland by Double-Band Films over a twelve-month period, follows the work of Professor Jack Crane as he deals with a range of cases in his curious profession.
Unfinished Business reveals how a man, unknown to most in Northern Ireland, can deal so matter-of-factly and objectively with death, post mortem examinations and human suffering, while enjoying antiques, fine wine and being a food critic for Egon Ronay's Good Food Guide.
Dermot Lavery of Double-Band Films who produced the documentary said: "No one has ever followed the work of Professor Jack Crane before and the documentary is an intriguing insight into a world which is both fascinating and macabre that will give viewers the chance to see the world of a man who combines death with life.
"It was certainly a fascinating documentary to make and to meet a man whose work is sometimes surreal in many aspects.
Unfinished Business reveals that there's more to Professor Jack Crane and more to his work as State Pathologist than what people may think from having watched programmes like Silent Witness or Quincy. This is the real thing!"
The programme follows Prof Crane as he combines his life as State Pathologist and as Professor of Forensic Science at Queen's University Belfast - sometimes his students getting a very practical demonstration of forensic science.
The documentary also shows that Jack's skills and expertise are crucial as evidence in judicial cases including one case where his forensic expertise helped free a man from jail - twenty-three years after a wrongful murder conviction.
While Prof. Crane's work may be viewed by some as macabre, he himself is adamant that his work does not intrude on his private life, and, while dealing with death may be demanding, for him it's never disturbing.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1103
Published Date: 26-Sep-02
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