YOU may remember the intensely disturbing and horrifying case of a young boy whose mutilated torso was discovered floating in the River Thames.

The boy, who police at the time named Adam, was found with his head and limbs severed, wearing only a pair of orange shorts.

Baffled by the identity of the victim and uncertain of where to start in their investigation, police in London turned to a university professor to throw some light on the boy's death.

In 2001, Dr Richard Hoskins, an expert on African religions, was working at Bath Spa University. Was this killing ritualistic? Could it be traced back to a country, a tribe in Africa, from where the investigation might begin?

Richard, who is now the head of religious studies at Shebbear College, was called in to answer these harrowing questions.

His journey into the heart of one of the most atrocious murder cases in recent years is detailed in his forthcoming book Sacrifice, to be published by Little, Brown later this year.

"It's very much a true story," he explains. "Basically in the book there are two parallel stories. One is about how I got involved in the investigation into the Thames Torso case. The other side of the book is about what happened when I went to Africa as a young man. In the book these two worlds collide."

The world of dusty libraries and dry academic books seems a long way off sinister explorations into ritualist killings yet as a university lecturer Richard soon found himself unearthing disturbing findings. He not only got involved in the Thames Torso case but a whole series of investigations.

"There was nothing dry about what I was doing. It involved looking at the detail of crime and horrible murder cases, trying to help solve them and trying to work out why people were doing the things they were doing in the name of religion. Particularly with the Thames Torso case where we busted a big trafficking gang that was connected to the case."

Richard's trip to Africa at the age of 19 obviously had a profound effect on him. Was it a catalyst for his career as a professor in religious studies?

"It certainly got me interested. I'm not allowed to say too much of what happens in the story but it was an earth-shattering experience and it really blew my world apart."

Sacrifice has already caused sizeable ripples in the publishing world and discussions are being held to turn Richard's story into a film, starring the actor Joseph Fiennes. The Hollywood star recently visited Shebbear College at Richard's invitation. As well as leading Shakespeare workshops with the college's promising drama students, Fiennes was able to discuss the potential of the book as a screenplay.

Does Richard see Fiennes playing him?

"Yeah I do. He's a great guy. He's a really lovely person and he's got real integrity. He is one of those actors who, pretty much right across the board, has chosen his parts on what he believes in, that he identifies with. He's not a commercial fellow. Because he loves the story and has really got a grip on it I couldn't think of anyone better to play me."

Whether Sacrifice marks the beginning of a duel career for Richard as both a writer and a teacher remains to be seen.

"It's a very good question. I am very proud of the book. I can't be objective and I certainly don't want to blow my own trumpet but it is very powerful. Any follow up will be second best."

How he came to be head of religious studies at Shebbear College is detailed in Sacrifice.

"My world began to fall apart internally and externally in terms of what I was dealing with. The material of these ritual crimes was blowing my world apart. I really wanted to do something positive for children. That was key for me after seeing what was going on."

Interestingly, Richard's wife, Faith Warner, was one of the first girls to attend Shebbear College.

"I never in a million years thought that I would come here. Faith's parents live four miles away. I don't know if I believe in fate but sometimes I think: 'yeah I do actually'. It's been really strange. It still feels very right and I love it."