The master of post mortems

Some of the deaths were bizarre in the extreme - a fatal reaction to a dry shampoo at Harrods and a man given hydrochloric acid instead of whisky in a London pub.

Others, such as the deaths of hundreds of women from illegal abortions, were more commonplace, if no less tragic.

They were among thousands of cases investigated between 1905 and 1932 by Sir Bernard Spilsbury, Britain's most eminent forensic pathologist of the 20th century.

The findings of his post-mortem examinations have been uncovered on nearly 4,000 hand-written index cards arranged in a long-lost filing cabinet.

The black wooden box was found in the London basement of an indirect descendant who had inherited it but failed to realise its significance.

Now the cabinet and its gruesome secrets - offering a fascinating glimpse of forensic history - are expected to fetch up to £9,000 at Sotheby's in New Bond Street on 17 July.

Manuscripts specialist Dr Gabriel Heaton said today: "They are the most astonishing items I have ever seen. There are some really odd deaths and horrific incidents of neglect and abuse among the cases handled by a man who, although it may seem odd nowadays-was a media celebrity of his time.

"He was known as someone who could open a coffin, take a sniff and say 'arsenic' - and he was also a very good witness on the stand."

Sir Bernard, described as "the living successor to fictional Sherlock Holmes", investigated some of the most sensational cases of the century - including that of Dr Crippen.

Recent research has suggested, however, that the awe in which Sir Bernard was held, combined with his inflexible opinions, led to several miscarriages of justice, including wrongful executions.