Full Description
Law for Forensic Scientists fills a significant gap by providing an accessible and comprehensive textbook for forensic science students, practitioners, and attorneys working with forensic evidence. While numerous books cover criminal law, criminal procedure, and expert testimony separately - often tailored for law students and criminal defense attorneys - this book uniquely integrates these key areas for forensic scientists.
Designed to build a broad understanding of the legal landscape, this book covers essential topics such as criminal offenses, criminal procedures, Fourth Amendment search and seizure law, forensic evidence collection, the treatment of science in Anglo-American jurisprudence, and expert testimony. Each chapter presents content in a structured and digestible format, featuring case studies, key terms, thought-provoking questions, chapter summaries, and references for further reading. Significant case law is incorporated throughout that illustrate real-world applications. To support both students and instructors, this book includes a full subject, case, and statutory index, as well as a glossary for quick reference. Additionally, online instructor resources provide supplementary materials, including a proposed syllabus and test questions, making it a valuable resource for forensic science and legal studies courses.
Law for Forensic Scientists is an accessible textbook appropriate for students in forensic science programs taking a course on criminal law.
Contents
1. Introduction to the Law 2. Due Process 3. Judicial Apparatus 4. Civil Law 5. Crimes and Defenses 6. Criminal Procedure 7. Search and Seizure I: Reasonableness 8. Search and Seizure II: Warrant Searches 9. Search and Seizure III: Warrantless Searches 10. Forensic Evidence I: Collection 11. Forensic Evidence II: Integrity and Preservation 12. Scientific Evidence I: The Science 13. Scientific Evidence II: Admissibility 14. Scientific Evidence III: Weight 15. Sixth Amendment Confrontation 16. Pretrial, Trial, & Appellate Procedures 17. Expert Testimony
