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. *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 INDICE: Preface Acknowledgements Introduction The NAS report and its meaning to the Bench and Bar. Judge Harry Edwards History of experts in English Common Law: How it all beganScience and Forensic ScienceThe Admissibility of Forensic TestimonyProfessional Expert Forensic PracticeForensic Case Development, Management and Report Writing. Managing your forensic case from the beginning to end - Its all about communicationCharacter Traits of Expert Witnesses: What is Good and the Bad performanceVoire Dire and Direct Examination of the ExpertCROSS EXAMINATION: The Expert's Challenge and the Lawyers' StrategiesThe fallacy and misuse of uniqueness in forensic methodsMistakes and Failures of Forensic ScienceReview of Forensic Science: Current Issues and Future DirectionsForensic Expert Ethics- A mixed bag of rules, cases and concepts about ethical practices in court
- ISBN: 978-0-12-397005-3
- Editorial: Academic Press
- Encuadernacion: Cartoné
- Páginas: 296
- Fecha Publicación: 18/11/2013
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés