Full Description
First, the fire burns you or your loved ones or your home—then, you find yourself "burned" again by the justice system.
Twice Burned: A Fire Scientist's Adventures in Overturning and Preventing Wrongful Arson Convictions tells the story of renowned fire investigator John J. Lentini's 50 years as a forensic scientist. In recounting his most significant cases, Lentini highlights the critical challenges faced by forensic science, including ignorance, cognitive biases, and errors that have led to wrongful convictions. The book is a testament to the power of collaboration between scientists and lawyers in correcting injustices that occur at the intersection between science and the law.
As his career progressed, Lentini increasingly discovered—much to his surprise—that much of what he and his colleagues believed and understood about the behavior of fires was simply untrue. These misunderstandings often resulted in miscarriages of justice, highlighting the urgent need for reform. Through his relentless efforts as an expert witness and his groundbreaking research, Lentini has worked to correct these injustices and ensure that future investigations are guided by accurate science.
Lentini shares stories of arsonists exposed by their own mistakes, and he documents the evolution of fire investigation as a profession. He also discusses pivotal cases that challenged prevailing myths in fire science, such as the Lime Street Fire and the Oakland Hills Fire. These cases led to a rethinking and debunking of many of the myths relied on by fire investigators.
With its blend of real-life drama, legal intrigue, and scientific insight, Twice Burned is a must-read for anyone fascinated by forensic science, the legal system, and the pursuit of justice. Written in an accessible style, this book is perfect for fire science professionals, litigators, and discerning true crime readers.
Contents
Introduction Part I: Learning 1. A Twist of Fate 2. The Arson Years—Catching Bad Guys 3. Branching Out—Figuring Out Accidental Fires 4. The Lime Street Fire—A Major Turning Point 5. The Black Holes of Oakland—Unlearning the Myths Part II: Case Studies 6. Arizona vs. Ray Girdler—Working for the Judge 7. Pennsylvania vs. Han-Tak Lee—21 Years to Correct a Miscarriage 8. Pennsylvania vs. Louis DiNicola—When the Data Doesn't Fit, Change the Data 9. Georgia vs. Weldon Wayne Carr—Making the Data Match the Narrative 10. Georgia vs. John Metcalf and Kimberly Post—The Lost Guitar 11. Maynard Clark vs. Auto Owners Insurance—Lightning? What Lightning? 12. Pennsylvania vs. Paul Camiolo—Innocent Gasoline 13. Texas vs. Cameron Todd Willingham—Trouble in Texas 14. Tennessee vs. Claude Garrett—He Died Free but Just Barely 15. Tennessee vs. Terry Jackson—How the Hacks Almost Got Him Executed 16. Texas vs. Sonia Cacy—More Trouble in Texas 17. U.S. vs. Kenneth and Ricky Daniels—Flawed Logic and Lies 18. California vs. George Souliotes—The Shoes Don't Tell the Tale 19. Michigan vs. David Lee Gavitt—Thrice Burned 20. Pennsylvania vs. Michele Black—How an Unusual Electrical Fire Became a Train Wreck 21. Indiana vs. Kristine Bunch—Opening a Cascade of Brady Violations 22. Georgia vs. Linda and Scott Dahlman—Taking Absence of Motive to New Lows 23. Wisconsin vs. Joseph Awe—New Science Equals New Evidence 24. Maryland vs. Eshyna Young—Explaining Away Contradictory Data Part III: Epilogue 25. Where Do We Go from Here?
