Wednesday, January 25, 2017

A new book on forensic science and the law

I am pleased to announce the publication of Forensic Science Reform Protecting the Innocent.  Besides being one of the editors, Wendy J. Koen wrote the majority of the case studies which are part of each chapter.  Kimberly Lott and I coauthored the chapter on presumptive and confirmatory blood testing, a recurring subject of this blog.  I am very grateful for the illuminating discussions here and elsewhere on this topic.  The Knox/Sollecito murder trial is the featured case in Chapter 7, and it is briefly discussed in Chapter 8.  The case of Lindy and Michael Chamberlain is highlighted in the latter chapter.  The Cameron Todd Willingham arson investigation is the featured case in Chapter 3.

Forensic Science Reform
Protecting the Innocent
Elsevier, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-12-802719-6

Edited by Wendy J. Koen and C. Michael Bowers

1. Comparative Bullet Lead Analysis, Max M. Houck
2. Microscopic Hair Comparison, Max M. Houck
3. Arson, John Lentini and Rachel Dioso-Villa
4. Shaken Baby Syndrome, Waney Squier 
5. Bite Mark Evidence, C. Michael Bowers and Ray Krone
6. Firearms Identification, Sarah L. Cooper
7. DNA Evidence, Dan Krane and Simon Ford 
8.  Presumptive and Confirmatory Blood Testing, Christopher Halkides and Kim Lott
9.  Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Barie Goetz 
10.  Crime Scene Reconstruction, Barie Goetz

11. Fingerprints, Kathleen L. Bright-Birnbaum