NCJ Number
32376
Editor(s)
J L PETERSON
Date Published
1975
Length
449 pages
Annotation
THIS COLLECTION OF ARTICLES FOCUSES UPON THE GROWTH AND DELIVERY OF FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICES IN THE PAST FIFTY YEARS.
Abstract
FORENSIC SCIENTISTS POSSESSING A WIDE ARRAY OF ANALYTICAL SKILLS DIRECT THEIR EXPERTISE TO PROBLEMS OF RECONSTRUCTING CRIMINAL ACTS, IDENTIFYING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, LINKING OFFENDERS WITH THEIR VICTIMS, AS WELL AS EXONERATING FALSELY ACCUSED PEOPLE. THIS COLLECTION OF ARTICLES FOCUSES UPON THE GROWTH AND DELIVERY OF FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICES IN THE PAST FIFTY YEARS. THIS ANTHOLOGY IS UNIQUE BECAUSE IT DEALS EXCLUSIVELY IN THE FORENSIC SCIENCES WITH SELDOM RESEARCHED AREAS OF PHILOSOPHY, MANAGEMENT, AND UTILIZATION. THE PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF LAW AND SCIENCE SERVE AS A FITTING INTRODUCTION TO A MORE PROGMATIC DISCUSSION OF PRESENT CONDITIONS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD TODAY. SEVERAL NOTED SCIENTISTS DESCRIBE PROPER TECHNIQUES FOR INTERPRETING THE MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC TESTS AND INCLUDE SUGGESTIONS FOR MANAGING AND EVALUATING LARGE SCIENTIFIC OPERATIONS. THE VARIOUS APPLICATIONS OF SCIENCE TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE ARE REVIEWED IN ANOTHER SECTION WHICH DOCUMENTS THE UNFORTUNATELY MINIMAL INVOLVEMENT OF SCIENCE IN THE LEGAL PROCESS. FINALLY, THE ISSUE OF AVAILABILITY OF SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE TO BOTH THE PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE DURING THE COURSE OF A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL IS DEBATED. THE BRITISH HOLD A POSITION OF HIGH RESPECT IN THE WORLD COMMUNITY OF FORENSIC SCIENTISTS. FOR THIS REASON, MANY OF THE ARTICLES IN THIS COLLECTION WERE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN GREAT BRITAIN. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT) (SNI ABSTRACT)