Read more
Forensic science laboratories' reputations have increasingly come under fire. Incidents of tainted evidence, false reports, allegations of negligence, scientifically flawed testimony, or - worse yet - perjury in in-court testimony, have all served to cast a shadow over the forensic sciences. Instances of each are just a few of the quality-related charges made in the last few years. Forensic Science Under Siege is the first book to integrate and explain these problematic trends in forensic science. The issues are timely, and are approached from an investigatory, yet scholarly and research-driven, perspective. Leading experts are consulted and interviewed, including directors of highly visible forensic laboratories, as well as medical examiners and coroners who are commandeering the discussions related to these issues. Interviewees include Henry Lee, Richard Saferstein, Cyril Wecht, and many others.The ultimate consequences of all these pressures, as well as the future of forensic science, has yet to be determined. This book examines these challenges, while also exploring possible solutions (such as the formation of a forensic science consortium to address specific legislative issues). It is a must-read for all forensic scientists. Zusammenfassung Forensic science laboratories' reputations have increasingly come under fire. This book integrates and explains problematic trends in forensic science. It provides insight on the state of forensic science! demands! and direction as provided by experts in the field and consolidates the state of standards and practices of labs across disciplines.
List of contents
Chapter 1
Forensic Science: Celebrated and Vilified
Chapter 2
The Stakeholders in Forensic Science: Roles, Perspectives, and Expectations
Chapter 3
An Introduction to the U.S. Forensic Laboratory System
Chapter 4
The U.S. Forensic Laboratory System Under Siege
Chapter 5
The Reality of the U.S. Forensic Laboratory System
Chapter 6
An Introduction to the U.S. Medico-Legal Death Investigation System
Chapter 7
The U.S. Medico-legal Death Investigation System Under Siege
Chapter 8
The Real Story of the U.S. Medico-legal Death Investigation System
Chapter 9
The Courts: Battlefield for the Truth and a Changing Paradigm
Chapter 10
Not All Science is Created Equal
Chapter 11
DNA: Convicting the Guilty, Exonerating the Innocent
Chapter 12
The Evidence Trilogy and Forensic Science
Chapter 13
The Stakeholders in Court: Judges, Juries, Experts, and Attorneys
Chapter 14
The Champions of Forensic Science: Advocacy and Funding Efforts
Chapter 15
The Road to Redemption: An Agenda for Reform
Chapter 16
New Initiatives and the Future of Forensic Science
