Description

Forensic scientists are responsible for analyzing evidence collected at crime scenes and providing expert testimony related to the evidence during trials. While some forensic scientists do go out in the field to collect evidence, this is a job that is usually done by forensic or crime scene investigative technicians. Forensic scientists work closely with police and other law enforcement agencies in order to determine how and why a criminal act was perpetrated and to find the guilty person.

The aim of this book is to review the United State’s Federal Rules of Evidence, regarding expert testimony and will include a multi-disciplinary look at the strengths and weaknesses in forensic science courtroom testimony. The statutes and the effects of judicial uses or non-use of the FRE, Daubert, Kumho, and the 2009 NAS report on Forensic Science will be included. The presentation will expand to study case law, legal opinions and studies on the reliability and pitfalls of forensic expertise in the US court system. Forensic Science Testimony will be useful in preparation for courtroom testimony, as well as classroom instruction.

*Includes Common Law and US Statutory Rules regarding scientific evidence from expert witnesses *Covers how courts and lawyers regard scientific evidence introduced by forensic experts *Uses the Innocence Project exoneration cases as a mirror into forensic science mistakes and failures

Description

Expert witness books tend to be dry and strictly formulative in style. Most provide lists of evidence rules (in mind-numbing legalese) and tips about being clever and convincing in court. You won’t find much of that in Forensic Testimony: Science, Law and Forensic Evidence.

His book focuses on the responsibilities of witnesses going into courts to speak on their forensic technical expertise and analyses. Forensic Testimony does have a broad view of legal terms and vocabulary available as a glossary, but each of the 12 chapters take on the hard subjects present in today’s cases, courtrooms, and news media. Information regarding “junk” versus “established or validated” forensic subjects. These topics are sharply discussed and cover subjects such as forensic fraud, forensic negligence, and incompetence. So expect the “good” with the “bad” as this book shows why the NAS 2009 report of “Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States” has been singularly ignored by most forensic practitioner groups. This is a true failure of effect never seen in the history of the National Research Council researchers of the NAS (formed in 1916 to provide independent scientific advice for the US government). Full documentation of failures of individual experts and some less than scientifically validated forensics are compared to proper conduct, attitude and presentation of actual “scientific data” versus personal opinion. The fallacy in forensic circles that “it’s not real science but we still do good work” is thrown against cases of criminal exonerations after erroneous convictions aided by misguided forensic experts and their “court-accepted” but “not so validated” methods.

In closing, Forensic Testimony should be an eye-opener for students studying criminal justice and forensic science. The old-guard forensic experts (and their progeny) are well described as they continue to preach their self-righteous claims of 100% accuracy and service to their communities as a substitute for proper validation. Prosecution lawyers and their opponents in the Criminal Defense bar will learn about how wrongful convictions are occurring throughout the US justice system when bad forensics or overreaching forensic experts participate in courts. Judges interested in education and legal research should find the book stimulating with its content of case-based critique of expert witnesses calling themselves “scientists” but lacking a grasp of the scientific method as support.

• A multi-disciplinary forensic reference examining the strengths and weaknesses of forensic science in courtroom testimony
• Focuses on forensic testimony and judicial decisions in light of all the Rules, case interpretations, and the NAS report findings
• Case studies, some from the Innocence Project, assist the reader in distinguishing good testimony from bad