A Litigator's Guide to DNA: From the Laboratory to the Courtroom - Hardcover

Michaelis, Ron C.; Flanders, Robert G.; Wulff, Paula

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0123740363 ISBN 13: 9780123740366

Publisher: Academic Press, 2008

Synopsis

A Litigator's Guide to DNA educates both criminal law students and forensic science students about all aspects of the use of DNA evidence in criminal and civil trials. It includes discussions of the molecular biological basis for the tests, essential laboratory practices, probability theory and mathematical calculations, and issues relevant to the prosecution and the defense, and to the judge and jury hearing the case.

The authors provide a full background on both the molecular biology and the mathematical theory behind forensic tests, describing the molecular biological process in simple mechanical terms that are familiar to everyone, and periodically emphasizing the practical, take-home messages the student truly needs to understand.

Pedagogical elements such as Recapping the Main Point boxes and valuable ancillary material (Instructors' Manual, PowerPoint slides) make this an ideal text for professors.

• "Recapping the Main Point" boxes provide a simple and concise summary of the main points
• Includes a glossary of essential terms and their definitions
• Contains a full-color insert with illustrations that emphasize key concepts

About this title

Synopsis

"A Litigator's Guide to DNA" educates litigators, judges, criminalists, students, and others about all aspects of the use of DNA evidence in criminal and civil trials. It includes discussions of the molecular biological basis for the tests, essential laboratory practices, probability theory and mathematical calculations. It presents issues relevant to all parties involved in trying a case, from the prosecution and the defense, and to the judge and jury. The book is also extremely useful as a text for students aspiring to careers in forensic science and criminal law.The authors provide a full background on both the molecular biology and the mathematical theory behind forensic tests written specifically for people with little or no science background. No other book relates the foundational information on molecular biology and statistics to legal practice issues as extensively as this book does. 'Recapping the Main Point' boxes provide a simple and concise summary of the main points. The book includes a glossary of essential terms and their definitions, and contains a full-color insert with illustrations that emphasize key concepts.

Edition details

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0123740363
• ISBN 13: 9780123740366
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 448