NCJ Number
11342
Date Published
1973
Length
643 pages
Annotation
THE SCOPE OF EXPERT TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS, THE NATURE OF THEIR RESULTS, AND THEIR APPLICATIONS AND LEGAL STATUS IN CRIMINAL LAW PRACTICE.
Abstract
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE AND EXPERT TESTIMONY HAVE ASSUMED A CRITICAL ROLE IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND IN THE TRIAL OF CRIMINAL CASES. THIS BOOK WILL ASSIST PROSECUTORS AND DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ALIKE IN OBTAINING A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCOPE OF EXPERT TECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS AND THE NATURE OF THE RESULTS WHICH MAY BE EXPECTED FROM THE LABORATORY INQUIRIES CONDUCTED BY TRAINED SPECIALISTS. THE POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS AND THE LIMITATIONS OF THE VARIOUS TYPES OF PROOF ARE EXPLORED, WITH CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO THE MATTERS OF EXPERT QUALIFICATIONS AND TESTIMONY. INCLUDED ARE EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS ON THE STATUS OF THE LAW CONCERNING THE VARIOUS SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES AND THE ADMISSIBILITY OF THEIR FINDINGS AS EVIDENCE, AS WELL AS SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAW AS IT PERTAINS TO EACH OF THEM. THE VOLUME COVERS SUCH COMMON CRIMINALISTICS TOPICS AS FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION, FIREARMS AND BALLISTICS, FORENSIC PATHOLOGY, MICROANALYSIS, SEROLOGY AND NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS, BUT ALSO PROVIDES INFORMATION ON LESS FREQUENTLY TREATED MATERIAL SUCH AS FORENSIC NEUROLOGY, VIDEO TAPING, PUBLIC OPINION POLLING, AND HYPNOSIS. BEYOND ITS OBVIOUS VALUE TO LEGAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS, THE BOOK OFFERS THE TRAINED EXPERT AN OVERVIEW OF THE LEGAL STATUS IN HIS OWN SPECIALTY AND FAMILIARIZATION WITH ALLIED SCIENCES AND TECHNIQUES. EACH CHAPTER BEGINS WITH A CONCISE OUTLINE OF ITS CONTENT, AIDING ITS SELECTIVE USE, AND CONCLUDES WITH A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ADDITIONAL REFERENCES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)