Forensic Science in Court

Donald Shelton is Chief Judge of the Michigan 22nd Judicial Circuit and an adjunct professor in the criminal justice and political science departments at Eastern Michigan University. He also serves as a supervising judge for the Washtenaw Juvenile Court. He has previously worked as an attorney and taught at Washtenaw Community College and the University of Maryland.

• List of FiguresIntroductionChapter 1: The History and Development of Forensic Scientific EvidenceChapter 2: The Problem of Junk ScienceChapter 3: DNA—the New Gold StandardAdmissibility of DNA at TrialPostconviction DNA TestingChapter 4: The "Who" QuestionFingerprint EvidenceHandwriting ComparisonChapter 5: More "Who" QuestionsHair AnalysisBite Mark AnalysisChapter 6: The "How" QuestionToolmarks and FirearmsBullet Lead ComparisonFire, Explosion and Arson EvidenceBloodstain Pattern EvidenceChapter 7: The "Whether" Question: Social Science Evidence in Criminal CasesEyewitness Identification ExpertsForensic Abuse SyndromesConclusions about Social Science EvidenceChapter 8: Jurors and Forensic Science EvidenceThe "CSI" MythThe "Tech" Effect"Negative" EvidenceVoir Dire, Argument and Jury InstructionsChapter 9: Conclusions: Where Do We Go From Here?The Last Twenty Years—An Era of DoubtDaubert's Change in the Legal Standard for AdmissibilityThe Emergence of DNA as a New Model for Forensic Scientific EvidenceThe Impact of DNA ExonerationsThe Impact of the National Academy of Sciences ReportThe Impact of New Technology Awareness by JurorsThe Current State of Forensic Science Evidence in Criminal CasesThoughts about the Future of Criminal Forensic ScienceAppendix: Recommendations of the National Research Council Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path ForwardNotesIndexAbout the Authors

You couldn't find a better source for grasping the issues confronting the field of forensic science today than Forensic Science in Court. As a trial judge, Donald Shelton has observed the legal process from its most critical perspective, so who better than a 'gatekeeper' to guide us? Judge Shelton provides a detailed framework for best practices in all areas of forensic science, for today and in the future. Everyone with a hand in the justice system, from judges to attorneys to expert witnesses, should read this book.