NCJ Number
228373
Editor(s)
Jim Fraser,
Robin Williams
Date Published
2009
Length
695 pages
Annotation
Focusing on the United Kingdom, this book reviews the current role and functions of forensic science in wider scientific, political, economic, social, and legal contexts, as well as its potential future.
Abstract
The introductory chapter outlines the range of material addressed in the book, which includes a preview of the relevant scientific, legal, social, political, and economic issues. Part 1 considers a number of key areas of forensic science practice. Section 1 addresses the identification of individuals by DNA, fingerprints, and forensic anthropology. Divergent as well as common practices of identification are discussed. Section 2 examines the identification and comparison of materials and artifacts, including drugs, body fluids in sexual offenses, trace evidence, and marks. Section 3 of part 1 explores the reconstruction of events in a legal and investigative context, as it considers bloodstain pattern analysis and fire investigation. Part 2 contains four chapters that examine how forensic science is used as investigative support in the United Kingdom, and it describes how police organizations and laboratories deploy resources and use relationships in the investigation of crime. Part 3 contains three chapters on the analysis of the logical and discursive methods and model used by investigators and forensic scientists in order to structure, communicate, and evaluate evidence and intelligence information in the course of investigations. How forensic science expertise is incorporated into the legal process is also considered. A summary account is provided of recent debates on the role of statistics in forensic science. Part 4 considers current and emerging issues in contemporary forensic science practice. Each of the five chapters is concerned with the ways in which legal, ethical, political, professional, and economic factors influence the organization and use of forensic science in support of justice in general and criminal investigation in particular. Chapter references, a glossary, and subject index