Forensic Science in Court: The Role of the Expert Witness

INTRODUCTION:  Forensic science and the justice system.

CHAPTER ONE:  Where the law comes from: You don't mess about with The People.

CHAPTER TWO: The legal system and how it works.
   The legal justification for expert witnesses.
   The structure of civil and criminal courts.
   Who sits and the correct form of address.
   The unusual: coroners courts, courts martial and human rights.

CHAPTER THREE: Rules of evidence as they apply to expert witnesses.
   The expert as advocate.
   The expert as arbiter.
   Appointment of experts by disputing sides and by the court.

CHAPTER FOUR: The first point of contact, dealing with solicitors.
   The written report, structure and content.

CHAPTER FIVE: The expert in court.
   What makes an expert.
   What you will be expected to contribute to the of the court.
   How to make the most of your appearance in court.

CHAPTER SIX: Statistics and statistical inferences.
   What traditional statistical methodology can and cannot tell us.
   The statistical nature of databases.
   Different types of databases: Anonymous and named.

CHAPTER SEVEN: Ethical considerations for the forensic scientist.

APPENDIX:  Nomenclature for citing law reports.

GLOSSARY OF COMMONLY USED TERMS AND PHRASES

INDEX