Book Review: Science in Court: Challenges in the Twenty-First Century

• Date: 01 March 2012
• Author: Lee Ayers
• Published date: 01 March 2012
• DOI: 10.1177/0734016811406714
• Subject Matter: Book Reviews

Book Reviews

D. E. Shelton

Science in Court: Challenges in the Twenty-First Century. Lanham, MD:

Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc., 2011. x, 183 pp. $80.00. ISBN: 978-1-4422-087-3

Reviewed by: Lee Ayers, Southern Oregon University, OR, USA

DOI: 10.1177/0734016811406714

There is little doubt that forensic science plays an increasingly crucial role in the U.S. criminal jus-

tice system. As courts continue to struggle with what is admissible and claimed scientific exper-

tise, Shelton (2011) sets the stage for the reader to understand theacceptance of forensic evidence

to include direct or circumstantial testimony into the courtroom. How do we get to, ‘‘beyond a

reasonable doubt’’ point for the jury? From the introduction of the book, Shelton lays a historical

foundation of the Frye doctrine and how the case leads to the ‘‘general acceptance’’ of testimony

standard. With the defense and the prosecution challenging empirical evidence, a generation of

forensic evidence emerged.

Chapter 1 opens the stage with the basic questions of ‘‘who,’’ ‘‘how,’’ and ‘‘whether,’’ as the foun-

dational elements for examining scientific evidence. For example, Shelton offers that fingerprints,

handwriting,bite marks, hair, blood, and other comparisons have been allowed by thecourts as ‘‘iden-

tificationtestimony’’ to satisfy the ‘‘who’’ question. He goes on to say thatexperts in various scientific

arenas are allowedto testify about conclusionspertaining to the origin of the materialsand ‘‘how’’ they

were used in the commission of a crime. Movingto the ‘‘whether’’ question, theauthor offers that the

courts have routinely accepted forensicexpert’s testimony, distinctfrom physical evidence, to assist in

creating that an ‘‘alleged act’’ has occurred. At the end of every chapter, there are case studies that

elaborate the application of the materials presented.

Chapter 2 expands the reader’s knowledge of the ‘‘gatekeeper’’ concept, and ‘‘general accep-

tance’’ as relevant to the scientific community. Understanding the problem of ‘‘junk science’’

becomes an easier process through the examination of Frye and the Daubert Trilogy, and the scien-

tific validation sets forth the application process used by the courts. A complete state guide is offered

and includes which state is using each method of admissibility test. Additional application is offered

through case studies.

Chapter 3 enforces the concept of DNA being the ‘‘gold standard!’’ Reminding the readers that

very small amounts can produce amazing results, Shelton outlines from the first case using DNA

evidence to the exoneration of postconviction test clearing DNA results, this form of evidence is

changing the criminal justice system we have come to know. Judicially, efficiency and motivation

for certainty of guilt are questioned. More cases are reviewed at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 4 moves deeper into the ‘‘who’’ question and the comparison analysis process is touched

upon. Understanding fingerprinting and handwriting comparison, the process, analysis, and how

Frye and Daubert analyses are applied creates a valid framework for the reader to apply the process

to the cases used at the end of the chapter for application verification.

Chapter 5 further explores the ‘‘who’’ question by examining microscopic hair analysis and how

DNA analysis, that is nuclear DNA versus mitochondrial DNA, is explored. The values of this

Criminal Justice Review

37(1) 127-145

ª2012 Georgia State University

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