Forensic Fraud : Evaluating Law Enforcement and Forensic Science Cultures in the Context of Examiner Misconduct

Forensic Fraud is the culmination of 12 years of research by author Brent E. Turvey. A practicing forensic scientist since 1996, Turvey has rendered this first of its kind study into the widespread problem of forensic fraud in the United States. It defines the nature and scope of the problem, the cultural attitudes and beliefs of those involved, and establishes clear systemic contributors. Backed up by scrupulous research and hard data, community reforms are proposed and discussed in light of the recently published National Academy of Sciences report on forensic science. An adaptation of Dr. Turvey's doctoral dissertation, this volume relentlessly cites chapter and verse in support of its conclusions that law enforcement cultural and scientific values are incompatible, and that the problem of forensic fraud is systemic in nature. It begins with an overview of forensic fraud as a sub-type of occupational fraud, it explores the extent of fraud in both law enforcement and scientific employment settings, it establishes and then contrasts the core values of law enforcement and scientific cultures and then it provides a comprehensive review of the scientific literature regarding forensic fraud. The final chapters present data from Dr. Turvey's original research into more than 100 fraudulent examiners between 2000 and 2010, consideration of significant findings, and a review of proposed reforms to the forensic science community based on what was learned. It closes with a chapter on the numerous crime lab scandals, and closures that occurred between 2010 and 2012 – an update on the deteriorating state of the forensic science community in the United States subsequent to data collection efforts in the present research. Forensic Fraud is intended for use as a professional reference manual by those working in the criminal system who encounter the phenomenon and want to understand its context and origins. It is intended to help forensic scientist and their supervisors to recognize, manage and expel it; to provide policy makers with the necessary understaffing for acknowledging and mitigating it; and to provide agents of the courts with the knowledge, and confidence, to adjudicate it. It is also useful for those at the university level seeking a strong secondary text for courses on forensic science, law and evidence, or miscarriages of justice. First of its kind overview of the cultural instigators of forensic fraud First of its kind research into the nature and impact of forensic fraud, with data (2000-2010) First of its kind typology of forensic fraud, for use in future case examination in research Numerous profiles of forensic fraudsters Review of major crime lab scandals between 2010 and 2012

Forensic Fraud is a timely work that examines the problem of forensic fraud both theoretically and empirically, assessing the relationships among examiner, workplace, evidentiary, and impact variables.

Unvalidated or improper forensic science is a leading cause of wrongful convictions. In more than 50% of the DNA exonerations nationwide, unvalidated or improper forensic science contributed to the underlying wrongful conviction.

These problems include forensic techniques that have not been subjected to rigorous scientific evaluation (such as hair microscopy, bite mark comparisons, firearm tool mark analysis and shoe print comparisons); testing that is improperly conducted or analysis that is not accurate (regardless of whether the forensic technique involved is validated); and forensic misconduct (such as fabricated test results and misleading testimony).

Forensic Fraud is written by a forensic scientist for the forensic science community, rather than by legal scholars or practitioners, as has been the trend.

• Responds directly to the dramatic increase in forensic fraud related laboratory scandals and closures that have plagued the forensic science community
• Offers realistic recommendations and reforms
• Ideally suited for forensic science professionals, legal practitioners, laboratory supervisors, forensic science students and academicians

Forensic Fraud is a timely work that examines the problem of forensic fraud both theoretically and empirically, assessing the relationships among examiner, workplace, evidentiary, and impact variables. Unvalidated or improper forensic science is a leading cause of wrongful convictions. In more than 50% of the DNA exonerations nationwide, unvalidated or improper forensic science contributed to the underlying wrongful conviction. These problems include forensic techniques that have not been subjected to rigorous scientific evaluation (such as hair microscopy, bite mark comparisons, firearm tool mark analysis and shoe print comparisons); testing that is improperly conducted or analysis that is not accurate (regardless of whether the forensic technique involved is validated); and forensic misconduct (such as fabricated test results and misleading testimony). Forensic Fraud is written by a forensic scientist for the forensic science community, rather than by legal scholars or practitioners, as has been the trend. Responds directly to the dramatic increase in forensic fraud related laboratory scandals and closures that have plagued the forensic science community. Offers realistic recommendations and reforms ideally suited for forensic science professionals, legal practitioners, laboratory supervisors, forensic science students and academicians Content: Front Matter , Page iii Copyright , Page iv Dedication , Page v Acknowledgments , Page xi Chapter 1 - Introduction , Pages 1-12 Chapter 2 - Occupational Fraud , Pages 13-32 Chapter 3 - Forensic Science: A Primer , Pages 33-43 Chapter 4 - Fraud in Law Enforcement Culture , Pages 45-66 Chapter 5 - Fraud and Scientific Culture , Pages 67-95 Chapter 6 - Contrasting Scientific Integrity with Law Enforcement Culture , Pages 97-113 Chapter 7 - Forensic Fraud: Prior Research , Pages 115-136 Chapter 8 - Forensic Fraud, 2000–2010: Data and Frequency , Pages 137-155 Chapter 9 - Multivariate Analysis of Forensic Fraud, 2000–2010 , Pages 157-182 Chapter 10 - Conclusions and Recommendations , Pages 183-206 Chapter 11 - Crime Labs in Crisis, 2011–2012: Update and Discussion , Pages 207-253 References , Pages 255-276 Index , Pages 277-284