After the success of “El pantà maleït”, Tura Soler returns with “Rigor mortis”, a book in which the writer and journalist is the confidante of the well-known forensic scientist Narcís Bardalet. In its pages, Bardalet reflects on life and death through the cases that have shaped his career. Based on the book, TV3 will premiere a series featuring the forensic scientist at the end of October.
How and when did you meet Narcís Bardalet?
I met him on July 19, 1986, when a plane crashed in Albera and Bardalet went to collect the bodies of the crew. I was an intern at El Punt. There was a fire and we got caught in the fire. That’s why we say that Bardalet and I met in hell.
This day seems to have left an impression on her.
I remember it very well because I thought it was the last day of my life. I saw myself dead. Bardalet walked with a Far Western robber-style handkerchief to protect himself from the smoke. We escaped thanks to the fact that the Civil Guard who accompanied us was an expert in the field.
Bardalet walked with a Far Western robber-style handkerchief to protect himself from the smoke. We escaped thanks to the fact that the Civil Guard who accompanied us was an expert in the field
Is there a reliable forensic scientist next to every news reporter?
I think so, I don’t know. I have always had the inclination to observe the work of the forensic pathologist, which is very important in criminal research when clarifying the causes of death, but also when assessing the living. A coroner’s testimony is critical to finding a defendant not guilty.
Why is he so interested in Bardalet’s life that he writes a book about it?
I know him very well and he is a fascinating and very interesting man. I’ve told him before that he could be made into a series like Inspector Montalbano, except Bardalet is a completely real character.
When Bardalet started, he worked in terrible conditions, with no refrigerators.
Yes, I heard this explained not only to Bardalet, but also to other forensic scientists. One day in Figueres they were doing the autopsy, they connected a mechanical saw (until recently they did this with chatter) to open a skull, the cable was wet with water and they almost electrocuted themselves.
After everything he’s been through, Bardalet says he can sleep peacefully.
It’s clear he doesn’t have a guilty conscience. As a forensic scientist, he has a lot of humanity. He always says that a dead person is the most vulnerable person there is, that he has no way to defend himself. Dealing with the dead does not dehumanize, but rather humanizes.
One day in Figueres they were doing the autopsy, they connected a mechanical saw (until recently they did this with chatter) to open a skull, the cable was wet with water and they almost electrocuted themselves
And you, who have seen as much as Bardalet, can you sleep well?
Even if it seems like a lie, I sleep well. It’s true that I go to sleep with work. It’s not that we don’t suffer from the fate of the victims, we do. With force you try to create a distance that allows you to have your safety space so that it doesn’t end up affecting you.
Does proximity to death and circumstances make you different?
I think in my case it makes you realize the weaknesses in life. No matter how careful you are, death is out of your hands. In reality, the Grim Reaper lurks everywhere.
The line is very fine.
The line is very fine. Anyone can be a victim or a perpetrator.
A series with forensics starts on TV3 at the end of October.
Narcís Bardalet is the protagonist and I will comment on the cases. We recorded on the plane that crashed where we met.
