Forensic Practice in Criminal Cases

Recent high profile cases have highlighted how forensic evidence can no longer be regarded as unassailable. As forensic practice and procedure becomes increasingly complex, lawyers, the police and the courts need to develop a better understanding of the evidence in order to effectively prosecute or defend criminal cases. This is a practical guide to understanding the uses, strengths and limitations of forensic practice. Advised by experts and written by lawyers in a modern, accessible style, Forensic Practice in Criminal Cases takes readers through the nature and uses of forensic evidence and explores specific areas of expertise. The book offers practical coverage of: - the types of forensic investigation which should be carried out - how investigations can go wrong - what further investigations need to be carried out - what documentary records of the investigation should exist - how to instruct a forensic scientist to provide or challenge scientific evidence. This is the only work dedicated to forensic practice within the context of criminal law. It will be welcomed by criminal lawyers, judges, magistrates, students, police officers and anyone interested in the criminal justice system.

Table of Contents:
Section A: Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Examination, and Presentation of Findings: 1. Forensic evidence: its nature, uses, types and importance; 2. Forensic investigation: the people involved in the investigation of the scene; 3. Forensic investigation: police training and awareness, and the process of identifications; 4. The process of examining the crime scene; 5. Documentation of examination, removal, and submission of contact trace material (CTM) and other material and objects; 6. The collection, removal and submission of forensic material for examination; 7. The forensic scientist; 8. The forensic scientist working for the prosecution; 9. The forensic scientist working for the defence; 10. Finding a defence forensic expert; 11. Defence investigation of the crime scene; 12. Forensic evidence: pre-trial; 13. Forensic evidence in court; Section B: Understanding Areas of Forensic Speciality: 14. Drugs, toxicology, and related areas of expertise; 15. Footwear impressions and instrument marks; 16. Contact trace and other particulates: fibres, glass, and paint; 17. DNA blood and hair; 18. Firearms; 19. Traffic accident investigators; 20. Questioned document examiners; 21. Fingerprints; 22. Forensic physicians; 23. Forensic odontologists; 24. Forensic pathologists; 25. Forensic psychiatry and forensic psychology; 26. Forensic linguists; 27. Veterinary science; 28. Fire investigators; 29. Forensic accountancy; 30. Computer crime and related matters; 31. Facial mapping, closed circuit television (CCTV), video, and image enhancement; 32. Forensic anthropology; 33. Forensic archaeology; Section C: Appendices

About the Author :
Lynne Townley is a barrister practising criminal law. She has been a law reporter in the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal for the All England Law Reports and is the author of Blackstone's Book of Moots (1996). Roger Ede is a solicitor, a member of the Law Society's Representation and Law Reform Directorate, and the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners. He also sits as a Deputy District Judge (magistrates' court) and is author of Criminal Defence (Law Society, 2002) and Active Defence (Law Society, 2000).

Review :
'This is an excellent compendium with a wealth of useable information.' Alan Kershaw, Chief Executive of the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners 'I congratulate the authors for producing such a helpful and readable book.' Dr Angela Gallop, President of the Forensic Science Society 'A great tool kit for cross-examiners and for judges to probe forensic evidence which is presented in court and invaluable for pre-court planning by practitioners.' London District Judge 'A helpful and readable book.' The Practical Lawyer, March 2006