Forensic Science and the Administration of Justice

Section 1: The Demand for Forensic Services Chapter 1. Historical Review of the Demand for Forensic Evidence - Joseph L. Peterson Estimating the Demand for Forensic Evidence What is physical evidence and what can it tell us? Physical Evidence Presence - Historical Indicators Crime Laboratory Census Results Up-to-Date Utilization Patterns from the "Role and Impact" Study Chapter 2. Is There Evidence of a "CSI Effect"? - Rachel Dioso-Villa CSI's Depictions of Forensic Science Cultivation Theory Typology of CSI Effect(s) Found in Media Accounts Evidence of the CSI Effect The Perceived CSI Effect Juror Expectations and their Understanding of Forensic Science What Can Be Done? Chapter 3. What We Know (and Don't Know) About Forensic Evidence Backlogs - Matthew J. Hickman and Kevin J. Strom What is a "backlog"? What are the sources of backlog? What do we "know" about the nature and scope of forensic backlog? Law enforcement agency backlogs The problem of "artificial" backlog Section 2: Examining the Quality of Forensic Services Chapter 4. Adopting a Research Culture in the Forensic Sciences - Barry A.J. Fisher Recent Developments in the Forensic Sciences Factors affecting the admissibility of Forensic Science The Admissibility of Expert Opinion Evidence The Use of Statistics to Express the Relationship Between Evidentiary Samples and Known Samples Contemporary Challenges Facing Forensic Science Chapter 5. Minimizing Contextual Bias in Forensic Casework - Reinoud Stoel, Charles Berger, Wim Kerkhoff, Erwin Mattijssen, and Itiel Dror Historical background Psychological background Levels of Contextual Information Level 1: The Trace Level 2: The Reference Material Level 3: The Case Information Level 4: The Base Rate Information How to Deal With Contextual Information? Outlook and Conclusion Chapter 6. A Survey of Ethical Issues in Forensic Science - Jay A. Siegel Discussion of Ethical Issues Scientific Issues Bias Presentation of Testimony in Court Ethical Considerations that arise from Employment Status Obligations to the Profession Toward a National Code of Ethics in Forensic Science Section 3: The Utility of Forensic Services Chapter 7. The Impact of Forensic Evidence on Criminal Justice: Evidence From Case Processing Studies - Sally Kelty, Roberta Julian, and Robert Hayes Part 1: The Impact of Forensic Evidence (FE) on Solvability and Case-Processing Outcomes: Evidence From the Literature US Research UK Research Australasian Research Findings From the Literature: An Overview Part 2: Conceptual Framework and Case-Processing Model of Critical Decisions and Leakage Points in Homicide Cases: Findings From the Effectiveness Of Forensic Science in the Criminal Justice System (EFS) Project Conceptual Framework for the Research Project The Effectiveness of Forensic Science (EFS) Forensic-Led Case Processing Model Chapter 8. Assessing the Utility of DNA Evidence in Criminal Investigations - Michael D. White, Andrea R. Borrego, and David A. Schroeder Empirical Evidence on the Utility of DNA Evidence in Criminal Investigations The Emergence of DNA Evidence DNA Evidence and Criminal Investigations Explanatory Frameworks for Understanding Law Enforcement's Use of DNA Evidence Diffusion of Innovation: A Comparison of Two Technologies Chapter 9. Forensic Science: The Prosecutor's Role - Nina Chernoff The Rules that Govern Prosecutors' use of Forensic Evidence Requirement #1: Prosecutors are required to evaluate and use forensic evidence consistently with their unique role as a minister of justice. Requirement #2: Prosecutors are required to be competent to evaluate and use forensic evidence Requirement #3: Prosecutors are required to consider the reliability of forensic evidence when making decisions about whether to charge a person with a crime and whether and what plea bargain to offer. Requirement #4: Prosecutors are required to disclose certain information about forensic evidence and experts to the defense attorney Requirement #5: Prosecutors are required to be candid with the court about forensic evidence Requirement #6: Prosecutors are required to refrain from knowingly offering false forensic evidence or witness testimony at trial. Why the Rules do not Produce Prosecutors who are Honest about the Unreliability of Forensic Evidence The Need for Accuracy Advocates Numerous Proposals for Reform Resistance from Prosecutors Advocating for Accuracy Section 4: Post-Conviction Issues Chapter 10. The Problems and Challenges of Evidence Retention - John M. Collins, Jr. Personnel Safe and Secure Facilities Inventory and Disposition Forensic Testing Jurisdictional Case Management Chapter 11. Innovation, Success, Error and Confidence in Forensic DNA Testing - Kristen Skogerboe History of DNA and Its Application in Criminal Justice The Role of DNA in Highlighting Limitations in Other Forensic Disciplines The Intersection Of Success, Innovation and Risk Of Error in DNA Testing The Road to Testing and Exonerations: DNA From a Chemist's Perspective Innovation, Challenges and Emerging Issues in Forensic DNA Testing Section 5: The Future Role of Forensic Science in the Administration of Justice Chapter 12. Developing New Business Models For Forensic Laboratories - Max M. Houck and Paul J. Speaker Economic Foundations Metrics and Measurement A Balanced View Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness Identifying the Best Business Models for Forensic Laboratories Chapter 13. Rethinking the Role of the Crime Laboratory in Criminal Justice Decision-Making - Kevin J. Strom and Matthew J. Hickman The Changing Role of the Crime Laboratory Laboratory Decision-Making Promising Examples of Crime Laboratory Decision-Making Policies Laboratory Case Management Policies Routine Two-Way Communication Case Tracking Training Laboratory Case Backlog Reduction Chapter 14. The Future of Forensic Science - Walter F. Rowe Technological Developments Future Forensic Science in the Laboratory Forensic Drug Chemistry Trace Evidence Forensic Biology Forensic Pathology Digital Evidence Forensic Databases 'Identification Sciences' Handwriting Identification Fingerprints Firearm and Tool Mark Identification Administrative Changes in Forensic Science Forensic Science Education