Convictions Without Truth: The Incompatibility of Science and Law

The book "Convictions Without Truth" explores the relationship between science and law in the context of forensic testimony and investigates the extent to which scientific requirements for validity and reliability are met in practice. It discusses contemporary unscientific forensic practices, the Daubert v. Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals evidentiary standard, and the retention of faulty practices due to path dependency, belief fixation, and neuro and cognitive psychology. The book deconstructs prevailing forensic practices through analysis of published documentation and addresses the fixation of belief from the perspective of neuropsychology and cognitive psychology. It highlights the concerns surrounding the application of contemporary forensic practices, current case law and federal rules, and the continued reliance on unscientific practices despite widely recognized concerns. The book demonstrates how the criminal legal system is experiencing a paradigm shift due to the juxtaposition of existing unscientific forensic practices with contemporary science, revealing its commitment to social control through wrongful convictions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 86 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Convictions Without Truth delves into the intricate interplay between science and law in the context of forensic testimony and criminal law violations. In the opening chapters, readers are introduced to the prevailing unscientific forensic practices, juxtaposed against the evidentiary standard established by the United States Supreme Court in Daubert v. Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals. The book also explores the scientific requirements for the validity and reliability of expert witness testimony.

The subsequent chapters delve into the reasons behind the persistence of faulty forensic practices, examining factors such as path dependency, belief fixation, and the influence of neuro and cognitive psychology. Through a critical and analytical approach, the book deconstructs prevailing forensic practices by referencing existing published documentation.

The final chapter focuses on the fixation of belief from the perspectives of neuropsychology and cognitive psychology, shedding light on the current concerns surrounding the application of contemporary forensic practices. Readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the current legal framework, including case law and federal rules governing the introduction of expert witness testimony. The book also uncovers the underlying reasons why the criminal legal system continues to rely on unscientific forensic practices, despite widespread concerns raised from within and outside the system.

Furthermore, Convictions Without Truth highlights the transformative impact of the dialectical juxtaposition of existing unscientific forensic practices with contemporary science on the criminal legal system. Readers are shown that this juxtaposition is leading to a paradigm shift, challenging the hegemonic commitment of the system to these practices.

In conclusion, Convictions Without Truth is a thought-provoking and indispensable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of science, law, and forensic testimony. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of forensic practices, challenges prevailing beliefs, and offers insights into the potential for a more scientific and evidence-based approach to criminal justice.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032208657