The Lawyer's Guide to the Forensic Sciences


Book Description

This guide provides criminal lawyers with a macroscopic view of multiple forensic science disciplines, specific to the Canadian legal system and written by Canadian experts. Facilitating further case-specific research, this guide seeks to reinvigorate dialogue and improve collaboration between the forensic and legal communities in Canada.




Forensic Psychiatry


Book Description

Lawyers frequently encounter clients and/or cases of bizarre behavior, mental illness, substance abuse, psychopathy, sexual offenses, learning disorders, birth defects, and other behavioral and emotional issues. Often they are ill-prepared to understand the nature of the psychiatric report, how the psychiatric assessment was structured, and how to best utilize and challenge these reports in court.Forensic Psychiatry: A Lawyer's Guide provides legal professionals the tools to identify mentally ill clients and help them navigate through the psychiatric information and language in reports and testimony. Topics include why a forensic psychiatrist is necessary, applications of psychiatry to law, various psychiatric disorders, and utilizing the expert witness. - A user-friendly roadmap to psychiatry for the non-psychiatrist—covers why you need a forensic psychiatrist and the applications of psychiatry to law - Provides coverage of the mental status examination, common psychiatric diagnoses, treatable disorders versus brain damage, medical problems masquerading as mental illness, and much more - Includes a full glossary of psychiatric terms as an additional easy reference guide




A Guide to Forensic Testimony


Book Description

A technical expert and a lawyer provide practical approaches for IT professionals who need to get up to speed on the role of an expert witness and how testimony works. Includes actual transcripts and case studies.




Forensic Botany


Book Description

FORENSIC BOTANY A PRACTICAL GUIDE Forensic Botany: A Practical Guide is an accessible introduction to the way in which botanical evidence is identified, collected and analysed in criminal cases. This form of evidence is becoming increasingly important in forensic investigation. This book is intended to show how useful simple collection methods and standard plant analysis can be in the course of such investigations. It is written in a clear and accessible manner to enhance the understanding of the subject for the non-specialist. Clearly structured throughout, this book combines well known collection techniques in a field oriented format that can be used for casework. Various methods that allow easy collection, transportation, and preservation of evidence are detailed throughout the book. This book is written for those who have no formal background working with plants. It can be used as a practical guide for students taking forensic science courses, law enforcement training, legal courses, and as a template for plant collection at any scene where plants occur and where rules or laws are involved. Veterinarians, various environmental agencies and anthropologists are examples of disciplines that are more recently in need of plant evidence. The format of the book is designed to present the reader with all the information needed to conduct a botanical analysis of a crime scene; to highlight the forensic significance of the botanical evidence that may be present; how to collect that evidence in the correct manner and preserve and store that evidence appropriately- also shows how to conduct a laboratory analysis of the plants. An accessible practical guide to the collection, analysis and presentation of botanical evidence within forensic investigation. Aimed at the non-specialist looking for an introduction to the field. Written in a clear and logical manner; what is it? Where can you find help? How can you use plant evidence? Why is this kind of plant important? Where to look for evidence; evidence collection made easy; evidence preservation; evidence transportation; chain of custody. Includes evidence collection data sheet and a laboratory analysis data sheet for use in the field. Includes key chapters on microscopy analysis of plant evidence and on DNA collection, use and relative costs. Numerous relevant case studies included to show forensic botany in practice and how to present botanical evidence in court.




Investigative Computer Forensics


Book Description

Investigative computer forensics is playing an increasingly important role in the resolution of challenges, disputes, and conflicts of every kind and in every corner of the world. Yet, for many, there is still great apprehension when contemplating leveraging these emerging technologies, preventing them from making the most of investigative computer forensics and its extraordinary potential to dissect everything from common crime to sophisticated corporate fraud. Empowering you to make tough and informed decisions during an internal investigation, electronic discovery exercise, or while engaging the capabilities of a computer forensic professional, Investigative Computer Forensics explains the investigative computer forensic process in layman’s terms that users of these services can easily digest. Computer forensic/e-discovery expert and cybercrime investigator Erik Laykin provides readers with a cross section of information gleaned from his broad experience, covering diverse areas of knowledge and proficiency from the basics of preserving and collecting evidence through to an examination of some of the future shaping trends that these technologies are having on society. Investigative Computer Forensics takes you step by step through: Issues that are present-day drivers behind the converging worlds of business, technology, law, and fraud Computers and networks—a primer on how they work and what they are Computer forensic basics, including chain of custody and evidence handling Investigative issues to know about before hiring a forensic investigator Managing forensics in electronic discovery How cyber-firefighters defend against cybercrime and other malicious online activity Emerging standards of care in the handling of electronic evidence Trends and issues affecting the future of the information revolution and society as a whole Thoroughly researched and practical, Investigative Computer Forensics helps you—whether attorney, judge, businessperson, or accountant—prepare for the forensic computer investigative process, with a plain-English look at the complex terms, issues, and risks associated with managing electronic data in investigations and discovery.




Forensic Science and the Law


Book Description

Like its well-regarded predecessor this new edition of Forensic Science and the Law: A Guide for Police, Lawyers and Expert Witnesses is an information resource providing practical information to readers about the key areas of forensic science encountered in criminal and traffic cases. Drawing on her experience as a forensic scientist, consultant and expert witness, Dr Anna Sandiford has written the book for non-scientists who need a non-technical explanation of the most common forensic science issues raised during the investigation and litigation stages of criminal and traffic proceedings.




Computer Forensics


Book Description

Would your company be prepared in the event of: * Computer-driven espionage * A devastating virus attack * A hacker's unauthorized access * A breach of data security? As the sophistication of computer technology has grown, so has the rate of computer-related criminal activity. Subsequently, American corporations now lose billions of dollars a year to hacking, identity theft, and other computer attacks. More than ever, businesses and professionals responsible for the critical data of countless customers and employees need to anticipate and safeguard against computer intruders and attacks. The first book to successfully speak to the nontechnical professional in the fields of business and law on the topic of computer crime, Computer Forensics: An Essential Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Managers provides valuable advice on the hidden difficulties that can blindside companies and result in damaging costs. Written by industry expert Michael Sheetz, this important book provides readers with an honest look at the computer crimes that can annoy, interrupt--and devastate--a business. Readers are equipped not only with a solid understanding of how computers facilitate fraud and financial crime, but also how computers can be used to investigate, prosecute, and prevent these crimes. If you want to know how to protect your company from computer crimes but have a limited technical background, this book is for you. Get Computer Forensics: An Essential Guide for Accountants, Lawyers, and Managers and get prepared.







DNA


Book Description

Includes a Foreword by Dr. James D. Watson, the co-discoverer of the DNA double helix, and Dr. Jan A. Witkowski. "From the Foreword by Drs. Watson and Witkowski: 'DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications is a comprehensive and invaluable guide to the field, covering topics ranging from collecting samples in the field to presenting the complex results to a jury. We are sure that it will play its part in promoting this most powerful tool in the forensic scientist's armamentarium.'" DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications covers the technology and laws related to DNA, as well as the use of DNA evidence in the legal system. This combination of science and law makes it the first comprehensive title of its kind and an appropriate reference for those with both elementary and advanced knowledge of the topic. It draws together in one source information that would previously have required extensive research and reliance on experts to obtain, offering both breadth and depth in a clear style without s acrificing scholarly goals. With material from both scientific and legal areas, DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications covers the latest advances in technology. It provides an ideal text for forensic scientists and students of forensic science, analytical chemists, lawyers, judges, police officers, and detectives.




Expert Testimony


Book Description

It will give experts the confidence they need to be comfortable in court, and give you the skills necessary to emphasize the credibility of your experts. You can avoid pitfalls such as unintentional signals, inappropriate demeanor and appearance, and awkward body language by using Expert Testimony: A Guide for Expert Witnesses and the Lawyers Who Examine Them, Third Edition as your guide. Elizabeth Boals and Steve Lubet coauthored the Third Edition of Expert Testimony: A Guide for Expert Witnesses and the Lawyers Who Examine Them expanding and amplifying the original book with: New guidance on the development and presentation of expert testimony in the digital age, including discussion of visual aids and electronic discovery, Updated analysis of the Federal Rules of Evidence and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Updated discussion of the ethical rules governing expert retention and testimony, Examples of expert witness examinations and detailed discussion of techniques for coping with lawyer questioning, Checklists for quick reference. The collaborative effort of Professors Lubet and Boals has resulted in a Third Edition that is worthwhile to both the expert witnesses and the lawyers who examine them.