The characters are well defined and the the acting of high quality. Unfortunately the storylines are so full of holes that it is impossible to take this seriously any longer. I get that the basic premise of a path lab is too limiting so it needs to be stretched but the stories are now ridiculous. Keep the cast (brilliant) but get some new writers who can write some more gritty believable stories. Pity.

Good series, well acted, interesting cases, but:Possible spoilers!There is however one thing that bothers me. From the start it has been a series about forensics and pathology. But from a certain point, especially the seasons with Nikki and Jack, there seems to be a tendency to give all the credits to the forensic analyst and pathologist. Jack seems to be a detective too! He goes with the detective in the field all the time. A job that should be the detective's partner's job... He goes running after suspects, arresting them with handcuffs (since when do laboratory guys do that?, well since CSI probably), has better ideas than the detectives, making the detectives an extension of forensics instead of the other way around... and making them a bit laughable, "wow, didn't the detective see that coming?"...But if you can see through all this deviation from reality, it is an exciting series.Of course there are also unbelievable aspects, like we see in other series. Pollen, micro organisms or special metals in a ground sample taken from a car's tyre lead them to dig exactly in the right place.A thing taken from other series perhaps: there has to be a "weird" person in the team, Clarissa, Sorry Liz Carr, nothing personal, I like you in the series!Criminal minds has two of them, Dr Spencer Reid and Penelope, Bones has Zack, NCIS has Abby, NCIS New Orleans has Patton (Mitchell) in a wheelchair and I could go on...But despite of all that, I watched all 20 seasons with pleasure...

If you have been around a while you might remember the French and Saunders satire of Silent Witness, Witless Silence. I'd venture to say that's a good description of where this show has gone. The new Silent Witness, for me, looks a like a haven for conservative British political correctness and "mainstream" perspectives. Worse still, there no opposing view or opinion in sight, just compliant silence. Generally, I have in the past liked this show. That said, I don't like being lectured or told what or how I should think. I'd also say I have found a couple of recent episodes, deeply distasteful. This is a shame as the original series had a lot to offer. My advice BBC, knock of the preaching and stick to entertaining, its what you do best. As it stands I'm only willing to give Silent Witness a five out of ten. Lets hope it picks up its game sometime soon.

Professor Ryan was not a coroner, she was actually a pathologist. However, viewers would be excused if they thought she was a detective or Senior Police Officer. She spent more time investigating matters by interviewing suspects and witnesses than she did doing her main job, cutting up dead bodies.. The programme is watchable in spite of the smug Professor Ryan rather than because of her. Liaisons with Senior Police Officers ( no junior ranks please) are the norm and it is also compulsory for Sam Ryan to be put into a bit of danger. It was a bit like a UK version of Quincy but a bit more drawn out and less enjoyable. Profssor Ryan has now left the series.