The Real Science Behind History's Greatest Mysteries

From Professor Turi King—the world-renowned scientist who identified the bones of Richard III and led the project to sequence Hitler’s genome—comes a captivating journey into the power of DNA.

The Secrets of Our DNA explores how genetics solves famous historical mysteries and modern crimes, showing exactly how DNA can both convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent. Moving from mistaken dinosaur DNA to Angelina Jolie’s BRCA1 gene, Professor King reveals how genetics shapes every aspect of our lives—and what it can (and can’t) tell us about who we are.

Fascinating and compassionate, this book is a timely reminder that while our DNA outlines our traits and health predispositions, it does not define our destiny.

Why You’ll Love This Book:

• True Crime Meets Real Science: Go behind the scenes of high-profile investigations, cold cases, and royal mysteries.

• Expertly Told: Written by a leading global geneticist with a gift for making complex science entirely accessible and gripping.

• Empowering & Thought-Provoking: Explores the cutting-edge future of genetic discoveries and what they mean for human society.

About the Author

Professor Turi King is a pre-eminent global authority on DNA and genetic research, internationally renowned for making complex genetic science accessible and compelling.

She serves as the Director of the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath and was formerly Professor of Public Engagement and Genetics at the University of Leicester. An elite voice in her field, she holds fellowships and memberships across the British Science Association, the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, and the International Society of Forensic Geneticists.

Professor King is most famous for leading the high-profile genetic identification of King Richard III, Jack the Ripper's final victim Mary Jane Kelly, and the early American colonial descendants of Sir George Yeardley.