Forensic science under siege : the challenges of forensic laboratories and the medico-legal death investigation system

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. * Provides insight on the current state of forensic science, demands, and future direction as provided by leading experts in the field * Consolidates the current state of standards and best-practices of labs across disciplines * Discusses a controversial topic that must be addressed for political support and financial funding of forensic science to improve Content: Foreword , Page xi Preface , Pages xiii-xxi Acknowledgements , Page xxiii Chapter 1 - Forensic science: Celebrated and vilified , Pages 1-24 Chapter 2 - The stakeholders in forensic science: Roles, perspectives, and expectations , Pages 25-37 Chapter 3 - An introduction to the U.S. forensic laboratory system , Pages 39-49 Chapter 4 - The U.S. forensic laboratory system under siege , Pages 51-107 Chapter 5 - The reality of the U.S. forensic laboratory system , Pages 109-136 Chapter 6 - An introduction to the U.S. medico-legal death investigation system , Pages 137-146 Chapter 7 - The U.S. medico-legal death investigation system under siege , Pages 147-157 Chapter 8 - The real story of the U.S. medico-legal death investigation system , Pages 159-219 Chapter 9 - The courts: Battlefield for the truth and a changing paradigm , Pages 221-234 Chapter 10 - Not all science is created equal , Pages 235-289 Chapter 11 - DNA: Convicting the guilty, exonerating the innocent , Pages 291-340 Chapter 12 - The evidence trilogy and forensic science , Pages 341-366 Chapter 13 - The stakeholders in court: Judges, juries, experts, and attorneys , Pages 367-426 Chapter 14 - The champions of forensic science: Advocacy and funding efforts , Pages 427-444 Chapter 15 - The road to redemption: An agenda for reform , Pages 445-503 Chapter 16 - New initiatives and the future of forensic science , Pages 505-523 Epilogue - Looking out for decedents and defendants: Taking a cue from health care , Pages 525-527 About the author , Page 529 Index , Pages 531-537 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. * Provides insight on the current state of forensic science, demands, and future direction as provided by leading experts in the field * Consolidates the current state of standards and best-practices of labs across disciplines * Discusses a controversial topic that must be addressed for political support and financial funding of forensic science to improve. "The medico-legal community is under attack for reasons of vital interest to forensic practitioners. The medical investigation system as a whole, and forensic laboratories in particular, are wrestling with problems that stem from under-funding, towering case loads, a shortage of qualified personnel, and the difficulties that arise from having a reputation under fire. Forensic Science Under Siege explores the timely, far-reaching and interrelated issues involving these two medico-legal branches of service."--Jacket