A Question of Evidence: The Casebook of Great Forensic Controversies, from Napoleon to O. J. - Hardcover

Evans, Colin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471440140 ISBN 13: 9780471440147

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2003

Synopsis

Scientific sleuthing and slip–ups in the investigations of fifteen famous cases
Ranging from the Turin Shroud and the suspicious death of Napoleon Bonaparte to the murder cases of Dr. Sam "The Fugitive" Sheppard and O. J. Simpson, A Question of Evidence takes readers inside some of the most vexing forensic controversies of all time. In each case, Colin Evans lays out the conflicting medical and scientific evidence and shows how it was used or mishandled in reaching a verdict. Among the other cases: the assassination of JFK, the strange history of Alfred Packer (the only convicted American cannibal), the death of Vatican banker Roberto Calvi, and the trials of Lindy Chamberlain (the "dingo baby" case) and Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald (the case recounted in Fatal Vision). Though the science of forensics has helped solve a huge number of crimes, it′s clear from A Question of Evidence that many cases are more open than shut.
Colin Evans (Pembroke, UK) is the author of the popular Casebook of Forensic Detection (Wiley: 0–471–28369–X) as well as Great Feuds in History (Wiley: 0–471–38038–5).

About this title

From the Back Cover

Lee Harvey Oswald.

Samuel Sheppard.

O. J. Simpson.

The infamous cases surrounding these individuals seem to be forever clouded by doubt and suspicion. They are among the many cases from around the globe that resist a satisfyingly scientific conclusion and, to some, remain more open than shut.

In A Question of Evidence, the author of The Casebook of Forensic Detection details some of the most vexing forensic controversies of all time. From the Turin Shroud to the death of Napoleon Bonaparte to the assassination of JFK, Colin Evans lays out the conflicting medical and scientific evidence of each case and shows how it was used or mishandled in reaching a verdict. You′ll discover why even the most efficient crime lab and expert testimony can still fail to resolve a difficult case to everyone′s complete satisfaction.

As absorbing and suspenseful as the most gripping mystery novel, A Question of Evidence will have you pondering the verdicts long after the last gavel comes down.

Synopsis

Though forensic science is an established, indispensable crime-solving tool, there are times when forensic techniques fail to resolve a case to everyone's satisfaction. The 15 stories in this volume concern some vexing crimes in history - ones which could not be solved with forensic techniques. In some instances, shoddy lab work is to blame; in others, faulty evidence-collecting. From the still-contested death of Napoleon Bonaparte to the never-ending speculation that surrounds JFK's assassination, "A Question of Evidence" presents a wide range of contested cases that are still being fought over.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0471440140
• ISBN 13: 9780471440147
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256