Forensic Science in Court explores the legal implications of forensic science-an increasingly important and complex part of the justice system. Judge Donald Shelton provides an accessible overview of the legal aissues, from the history of evidence in court, to gatekeeper judges determining what evidence can be allowed, to the CSI effect in juries.The book describes and evaluates various kinds of evidence, including DNA, fingerprints, handwriting, hair, bite marks, tool marks, firearms and bullets, fire and arson investigation, and bloodstain evidence. Assessing the strengths and limitations of each kind of evidence, the author also discusses how they can contribute to identifying the who, how, and whether questions that arise in criminal prosecutions.Author Donald Shelton draws on the depth of his experiences as courtroom prosecutor, professor, and judge, to provide a well-rounded look at these increasingly critical issues. Case studies throughout help bring the issues to life and show how forensic science has been used, both successfully and not, in real-world situations.
List of Figures Introduction Chapter 1: The History and Development of Forensic Scientific Evidence Chapter 2: The Problem of Junk Science Chapter 3: DNA-the New Gold Standard Admissibility of DNA at Trial Postconviction DNA Testing Chapter 4: The Who Question Fingerprint Evidence Handwriting Comparison Chapter 5: More Who Questions Hair Analysis Bite Mark Analysis Chapter 6: The How Question Toolmarks and Firearms Bullet Lead Comparison Fire, Explosion and Arson Evidence Bloodstain Pattern Evidence Chapter 7: The Whether Question: Social Science Evidence in Criminal Cases Eyewitness Identification Experts Forensic Abuse Syndromes Conclusions about Social Science Evidence Chapter 8: Jurors and Forensic Science Evidence The CSI Myth The Tech Effect Negative Evidence Voir Dire, Argument and Jury Instructions Chapter 9: Conclusions: Where Do We Go From Here? The Last Twenty Years-An Era of Doubt Daubert's Change in the Legal Standard for Admissibility The Emergence of DNA as a New Model for Forensic Scientific Evidence The Impact of DNA Exonerations The Impact of the National Academy of Sciences Report The Impact of New Technology Awareness by Jurors The Current State of Forensic Science Evidence in Criminal Cases Thoughts about the Future of Criminal Forensic Science Appendix: Recommendations of the National Research Council Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward Notes Index About the Authors
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