Crime Lab Report: An Anthology on Forensic Science in the Era of Criminal Justice Reform

Crime Lab Report compiles the most relevant and popular articles that appeared in this ongoing periodical between 2007 and 2017. Articles have been categorized by theme to serve as chapters, with an introduction at the beginning of each chapter and a description of the events that inspired each article. The author concludes the compilation with a reflection on Crime Lab Report, the retired periodical, and the future of forensic science as the 21st Century unfolds. Intended for forensic scientists, prosecutors, defense attorneys and even students studying forensic science or law, this compilation provides much needed information on the topics at hand.

Presents a comprehensive look ‘behind the curtain’ of the forensic sciences from the viewpoint of someone working within the fieldEducates practitioners and laboratory administrators, providing talking points to help them respond intelligently to questions and criticisms, whether on the witness stand or when meeting with politicians and/or policymakersCaptures an important period in the history of forensic science and criminal justice in America

Introduction: The Creation of Crime Lab Report 1. Rise of the Innocence Movement 2. The Press Campaign 3. The Wrongful Conviction of Forensic Science 4. Contextual Contamination of Scientific Evidence 5. The Management of Forensic Science Organizations 6. Forensic Science Governance and Regulation 7. Federal Intervention 8. The Clash of Law and Science 9. Randomness – the Misunderstood Basis 10. Retrospective Reviews of Past Forensic Testing 11. The Innocence Audit 12. Forensic Science in the Future

13. Conclusion