TUM Library

"Ethical Standards in Forensic Science seeks to address the myriad practices in forensic science for a variety of evidence and analyses. The book looks at ethics, bias, what constitutes an expert in the field-both as a practitioner and to the court system-as well as the standards of practice as purported by the top forensic organizations. Coverage addresses evidence collection, chain of custody, real versus "junk" science, the damage questionable science can cause to a discipline and the judicial process, testing methods, report writing, and expert witness testimony in civil and criminal cases in a court of law. The authors' background in engineering provides a unique perspective on a variety of evidence and testing methods. As such, in addition to coverage the range of evidence and topics cited in the 2009 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Report, they address numerous challenges that have arisen specifically in forensic engineering cases-their specific area of expertise. Numerous case example are provided to illustrate the inherent danger of bias, inexact science, or expert witnesses taking dangerous and harmful liberties on the stand. Students, lawyers, and professionals in all forensic disciplines will find this a refreshing and accessible approach to elucidate the problem and offer suggestions for reform and change for the good of the entire profession"-- Provided by publisher.

Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- Foreword -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Authors -- Symbols and Units -- Chapter 1 Introduction to Forensic Science -- History -- Chapter 2 The State of Forensic Sciences -- Introduction -- Some Historical Perspective -- The Court System -- Rules of Evidence -- The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Report -- Conclusions -- Chapter 3 The Role of Science -- Forensic Science -- Theories -- Chapter 4 The Need for Experimentation and Testing: The Confluence of Experiment and Theory -- The Scientific Method -- Mathematics

Chapter 5 The Role of the Forensic Practitioner and Expert Witness -- Role -- Role of the Practitioner -- Statements -- Standards -- Introduction -- Protocol for Forensic Investigations -- Standard Guide for Forensic Inspections and Investigations -- Scope -- Significance and Use -- Equipment -- Procedure -- Reports -- Chapter 6 Bias and Error -- Misconceptions -- Quantifying Bias and Error -- Error -- Sensitivity -- Probability -- Chapter 7 Ethics -- Introduction -- In Engineering -- In Fingerprint Analysis -- Handwriting -- Tool Marks -- Shoes and Tire Marks -- Bite Marks

Chapter 8 The Court System and the Role of the Attorney: Limitations Placed on the Expert -- Rules of Evidence -- Trial Preparation of Experts -- Fees -- The Past and a View of the Future -- Chapter 9 Questionable Science and Common Misconceptions -- Fire Sciences -- Odontology -- Fingerprints -- Tool Marks and Firearms -- Structures, Gravity, and Wind -- Appendix A: Values of Fundamental Constants -- Appendix B: Conversion Factors -- Bibliography -- Index

OCLC-licensed vendor bibliographic record.