Overview
Expert witness books can be dry. Most provide lists of evidence rules in mind-numbing legalese and tips for being convincing in court. You won\'t find that approach in Forensic Testimony: Science, Law and Forensic Evidence. This book focuses on the responsibilities of expert witnesses. It defines legal terms and vocabulary, and each chapter tackles subjects seen in today\'s cases, courtrooms, and news media-forensic fraud, forensic negligence, and incompetence, for example. This book demonstrates why the NAS 2009 report "Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States" has been ignored by most forensic practitioner groups. This is a true failure of effect never seen by National Research Council researchers of the NAS-formed in 1916 to provide independent scientific advice to the US government. The failures of individual experts and less than scientifically validated forensics are compared to proper conduct, attitude, and presentation of scientific data. The fallacy in forensic circles that "it\'s not real science but we still do good work" is presented in the context of wrongful convictions supported by misguided forensic experts. Forensic Testimony is an eye-opener for criminal justice and forensic science students. Prosecutors and defense lawyers will learn how bad forensics or overreaching forensic experts contribute to erroneous convictions. Judges should find the book useful because of its case-based critiques of expert witnesses who do not understand the scientific method.