Forensic Law Casebook: Judicial Reasoning and the Application of Forensic Science in Criminal Cases

The Forensic Law Casebook is a comprehensive resource that provides judicial reasoning and the application of forensic science in criminal cases. It reviews actual case law and translates the practical application of science to the courtroom, offering a unique perspective on forensic disciplines. Each chapter ends with real-world experience and problems encountered by practitioners, making it an essential reference for law students, practitioners, and libraries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 460 pages
Publication date: 04 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Forensic Law Casebook: Judicial Reasoning and the Application of Forensic Science in Criminal Cases fills the current void by reviewing actual case law and translating the practical application of science to the courtroom. Each chapter represents a unique forensic discipline, providing a short introduction to the subject matter, the relevant case law and court cases that pertain to that subject area, and posing a variety of questions and issues to the student. All cases provided contain a sufficient portion of the legal decision and its implications to the evidence and analytical practices of that discipline, in order to then pose critical and analytical questions to the student, once they have fully read the case material and the decision and considered its implications. Each chapter ends its theoretical examination with real-world experience encountered by those laboring in the investigative and collection processes, as well as problems or challenges encountered by those employed in the office of the prosecutor, public defender, medical examiner, or other aligned office. This last section of each chapter gives true meaning and impact as to how forensic law decision-making impacts forensic practitioners, and a true understanding of the responsibility placed on law enforcement, investigators, and scientists tasked with collecting, preserving, and analyzing the evidence.

Forensic Law Casebook provides the reader with an array of legal cases and decisions that highlight the complexities and challenges of applying forensic science in criminal cases. The book covers a wide range of forensic disciplines, including DNA analysis, fingerprinting, ballistics, and toxicology, and provides a comprehensive overview of the legal principles and procedures that govern these fields. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction to the relevant forensic discipline, followed by a review of the relevant case law and court cases. The cases are presented in a clear and concise manner, and the legal decisions are explained in detail, with an emphasis on their implications for forensic practitioners and the criminal justice system. The book also includes a variety of questions and issues that challenge the reader to think critically about the application of forensic science in criminal cases. These questions and issues are designed to help the reader develop a deeper understanding of the forensic science and the legal principles that govern it.

One of the key strengths of Forensic Law Casebook is its emphasis on judicial reasoning. The book recognizes that the interpretation of forensic legal and scientific principles is critical to the successful application of forensic science in criminal cases. The authors have drawn on their extensive experience in the field to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the judicial process and the factors that influence judicial decision-making. The book also includes a variety of case studies and examples that illustrate the practical application of forensic science in criminal cases. These case studies are drawn from a wide range of jurisdictions and provide a real-world perspective on the challenges and opportunities that forensic practitioners face in the courtroom.

In conclusion, Forensic Law Casebook: Judicial Reasoning and the Application of Forensic Science in Criminal Cases is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the field of forensic science and law. The book provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the legal principles and procedures that govern forensic science, and the practical application of these principles in criminal cases. The authors' extensive experience in the field and their commitment to judicial reasoning make this book an essential read for students, practitioners, and policymakers alike.

Weight: 1034g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032211749