**We apologise for the variable sound quality on some of the season two episodes which were recorded during the 2020 lockdown. Please don't judge us too harshly - we're back in studio in season 3!**

Unlike in America, there is little debate between pro-gun control and pro-gun ownership lobbies in the UK. There is general public consensus against ownership of handguns, which is enforced under strict legislation. Despite these strong sentiments, the UK has not averted gun crime by any means.  
In the year ending 31 March 2019, there were a total of 6,759 firearm offences recorded in the England & Wales. This was an increase of 4% compared with the previous year and the highest recorded number since 7,040 in 2010/11. Handguns are most commonly used and rifles remain the least commonly used in firearm offences.  
In this episode the team are joined by Former Senior Forensic Scientist specialising in Firearms and Wound Ballistics and an internationally-renowned expert in the field, David Pryor. As the ballistics expert called to the scene of the shooting of Jill Dando, David’s analysis and subsequent evidence were critical to the case. In the episode he joins the Listening to the Dead team to discuss his memories of those frantic days and his years of experience in identifying ballistics evidence.  
Over six episodes, the team will investigate six causes of death: talking with experts, hearing how real life crime scenes are worked, exploring the latest innovations and discussing some famous cases.
   If you want to know what criminal investigation is like in real life, then get ready for a podcast that puts YOU at the crime scene. 

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Lynda's new novel Judas Horse is out on 1st April 2021 in hardback, ebook and audiobook.
 Discover more at: www.lyndalaplante.com/listening-to-the-dead/