Forensic Science In Court. Challenges In The Twenty-first Century. (isbn 978-1-4422-0187-3)

PRAISE FOR FORENSIC SCIENCE IN COURT “You couldn’t find a better source for grasping the issues confronting the field of forensic science today than Forensic Science in Court. As a trial judge, Donald E. Shelton has observed the legal process from its most critical perspective, so who better than a ‘gatekeeper’ to guide us? Judge Shelton provides a detailed framework for best practices in all areas of forensic science, for today and in the future. Everyone with a hand in the justice system, from judges to attorneys to expert witnesses, should read this book.”—Katherine Ramsland, DeSales University; author of Beating the Devil’s Game: A History of Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation “This important book stands at the intersection of law, science, and technology, and it is essential reading for lawyers, judges, jurors, investigators, policy-makers, and citizens who care about their court system. In this highly readable book, Judge Shelton vividly illustrates that all too often forensic evidence does not meet the test of scientific validity.”—Nancy S. Marder, Chicago–Kent College of Law “The book offers a searching examination of some of the most sacred of the sacred cows in the scientific evidence field, including fingerprints, firearms comparisons, psychiatric evaluation, and so on. Former trial lawyer and current judge Donald Shelton has successfully put together an overview of the scientific issues that demand attention in light of modern legal principles. Forensic Science in Court will be a uniquely useful working tool for judges, lawyers, investigators, and anyone who aspires to join those professions. It is thoroughly researched, thoughtfully presented, and completely readable.”—Nick Rine, University of Michigan Law School “Judge Shelton’s book hits the right balance: it clearly communicates the basic procedures used in each technique but does not dwell too much in any one area. For a very difficult subject matter, it is fairly easy to read, and the case studies really make the issues come alive. Judge Shelton is not afraid to point out the weaknesses, both legally and scientifically, of some of the procedures.”—Ron Bretz, Thomas M. Cooley Law School “Judge Shelton’s book is a very readable, entertaining, concise, and enlightening account of the history of the use of forensic science evidence in criminal trials. This book is a valuable resource for lawyers, judges, and students. I highly recommend it.”—Thomas K. Clancy, director, National Center for Justice and the Rule of Law, University of Mississippi School of Law 10_285_01_Front.indd A 9/1/10 10:42 AM 10_285_01_Front.indd B 9/1/10 10:42 AM FORENSIC SCIENCE IN COURT 10_285_01_Front.indd i 9/1/10 10:42 AM ISSUES IN CRIME & JUSTICE Series Editor Gregg Barak, Eastern Michigan University As we embark upon the twentieth-first century, the meanings of crime continue to evolve and our approaches to justice are in flux. The contributions to this series focus their attention on crime and justice as well as on crime control and prevention in the context of a dynamically changing legal order. Across the series, there are books that consider the full range of crime and criminality and that engage a diverse set of topics related to the formal and informal workings of the administration of criminal justice. In an age of globalization, crime and criminality are no longer confined, if they ever were, to the boundaries of single nation-states. As a consequence, whil