A History of Forensic Science in 10 Publications
Description
Explores the foundations of forensic science through its most influential and transformative publications
A History of Forensic Science in 10 Publications offers a unique and essential account of how forensic science has evolved into the complex, multidisciplinary field it is today. Unlike dramatized portrayals in popular media, this book provides a grounded, scholarly perspective on the real-world development of forensic practice through a detailed examination of ten pivotal publications. Author Sean Doyle, a highly respected practitioner with nearly five decades of experience in the field, charts the intellectual and scientific journey that has shaped modern forensic science-from early procedural texts to contemporary debates around interpretation, bias, and standardization.
Each chapter situates a landmark publication within its broader historical, scientific, and legal context, tracing its influence on subsequent research, professional standards, and the justice system. Doyle demonstrates how these works have sparked methodological shifts, provoked philosophical debates, prompted regulatory reforms, and led the way to current practices. The book's clear and engaging analytical narrative offers a structured way to understand how forensic science has been, and continues to be shaped by its literature.
Filling a critical gap in scholarship by focusing on the foundational texts that have informed both practice and policy, A History of Forensic Science in 10 Publications:
- Integrates historical, scientific, and legal perspectives into a unified narrative of forensic development
- Highlights lesser-known yet pivotal works that are often overlooked in current curricula and literature
- Connects foundational publications to contemporary practices such as probabilistic genotyping and forensic genealogy
- Discusses the evolving principles behind forensic interpretation, objectivity, and standardization
- Demonstrates how scientific literature has influenced legal outcomes, regulatory frameworks, and public understanding
Organized into thematic chapter groupings that guide readers through related developments and incremental research, A History of Forensic Science in 10 Publications: How They Established Current Practice is ideal for undergraduate students in forensic science, criminal justice, and criminology programs, as well as educators, legal professionals, and general readers interested in the science behind crime-solving.
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Person
Sean Doyle is a forensic scientist with extensive expertise in forensic chemistry, explosives, and crime scene investigation. He began his career at the UK Laboratory of the Government Chemist and later led casework and research at the Forensic Explosives Laboratory under the UK Ministry of Defence. He now directs Linked Forensic Consultants Ltd in New Zealand. An active lecturer and member of international forensic standards committees, Doyle has made significant contributions to forensic science practice and education.
Content
About the Author xi
Acknowledgements xiii
List of Abbreviations xv
Terms, Definitions and Explanations xix
Introduction 1
1 The Handbook 11
Name of the Publication 11
Introduction 12
Biography of the Publication 13
Professional Biography of the Author 15
Contexts 17
Science 17
History 19
The Structure of the Handbook and Relevant Content 20
Introduction 20
Part 1 'General' 22
The Investigating Officer 22
Inspection of Localities 24
Equipment of the Investigating Officer p 243 26
The Expert and How to Make Use of Him 26
Impact at the Time 31
Impact Today 32
Contribution to Current Practice 32
Concluding Remarks 33
Key Takeaways 33
Notes 34
Bibliography 34
2 The Exchange Principle 37
Name of the Publication 38
Introduction 38
Biography of the Publication 39
Biography of the Author 40
Key Publications 42
Motivation for Writing 42
Contexts 42
Scientific/Technical 42
Historical 44
Social/Society 44
Structure of the Publication 45
Impact at the Time 48
Impact Today 48
Contribution to Current Practice 48
Concluding Remarks 49
Key Takeaways 49
Notes 49
Bibliography 49
3 The Ontogeny of Criminalistics - Questions and an Agenda 51
Name of the Publication 51
Introduction 52
Biography of the Publication 53
Professional Biography of the Author 53
Volmer and Kirk Establishing Criminalistics at UC Berkeley 53
Kirk's War Years 1942-1945 54
Ultramicroanalysis 54
UC Berkeley Criminology/Criminalistics 54
Kirk's First Book 55
Famous Case 56
Kirk Awards 56
Other Publications 57
Contexts 57
History 57
Science 58
Society 59
Structure and Relevant Contents 59
Introduction 59
Structure 60
Profession? 61
A Science? 62
Impact at the Time 63
Impact Now 64
Development Agenda and Need for Basic Theory 64
Create University-Level Courses in Forensic Science 64
Coordinated Research Effort/Agenda 64
Probabilistic Interpretation 64
Common Terminology 65
A Profession? 65
The Science of Individualisation 66
The Generalist 69
The Search for Fundamental Principles 70
Contribution to Current Practice 70
Concluding Remarks 71
Key Takeaways 72
Notes 72
Bibliography 73
4 DNA 'Fingerprinting'- Putting the Science in Forensic Science 77
Name of the Publication 78
Introduction 78
The Science 78
Terminology 79
The Publication 81
Biography of the Publication 84
Professional Biography of the Author 85
Contexts 86
Scientific 86
Historical 87
Social 87
Structure of the Publication 88
Introduction 88
Isolation of minisatellites 89
Highly polymorphic minisatellites 89
A ¿¿¿[chi] sequence in minisatellites? 89
Probe for hypervariable regions 89
Pedigree analysis 90
A new mutant allele 90
Conclusions 90
Impact at the Time 90
Impact Today 94
Current Technological Progress 96
National DNA Databases 97
Wrongful Convictions 97
Increased Sensitivity, an Issue 97
Contribution to Current Practice 98
Concluding Remarks 99
Key Takeaways 99
Notes 100
Bibliography 101
5 Statistical Evidence and Fallacies 103
Name of the Publication 104
Introduction 104
Terms, Definitions and Explanations 105
The Prosecutor's Fallacy 111
The Defence Attorney's Fallacy 111
Final Comments 112
Summary 112
Motivation for Writing 112
Biography of the Publication 113
Professional Biography of the Authors 113
William C. Thompson 113
Edward L. Schumann 114
Contexts 115
Science, Statistics and Psychology 115
History 115
Structure of the Publication and Relevant Contents 115
General Structure 115
Introduction 117
Experiment 1 119
Experiment 2 121
Discussion and Conclusion 121
Impact at the Time 122
Impact Today 122
Contribution to Current Practice 123
Concluding Remarks 123
Key Takeaways 124
Notes 124
Bibliography 125
6 Interpreting Evidence - The Likelihood Ratio 127
Name of the Publication 127
Introduction 127
Biography of the Publication 130
Professional Biography of the Authors 130
Contexts 131
Structure of the Publication and Relevant Contents 131
Chapter 1 Introduction 132
Chapter 2 Interpreting Scientific Evidence 132
Chapter 3 The Alternative Hypothesis 135
Chapter 4 Explaining the Strength of the Evidence 137
Chapter 5 The Case as a Whole 139
Chapter 6 Errors in Thinking 140
Chapter 7 Classical Statistics and Database Matching 141
Chapters 8-10 141
Chapter 11 Implications for the Legal System 142
Impact at the Time 142
Impact Today 143
Contribution to Current Practice 143
Concluding Remarks 144
Key Takeaways 144
Notes 145
Bibliography 145
7 ISO/IEC 17025:1999 - Demonstrating Competence and Validity 147
Name of the Publication 147
Introduction 147
Biography of the Publication 150
Professional Biography of the Authors 151
Contexts 152
Scientific 152
Historical 153
Social/Society 159
Structure of the Publication 159
Quality Standards Framework - Continuous Improvement 160
Impact at the Time 161
A US Alternative - ASCLD/LAB 162
Impact Today 164
Contribution to Current Practice 165
Concluding Remarks 165
Notes 167
Bibliography 167
8 Observer Effects - Cognitive Bias 171
Name of Publication 171
Introduction 172
Part 1 General Observer Effects 173
Part 2 Observer Effects in Forensic Science 174
Part 3 Minimising Observer Effects in Forensic Science 176
Part 4 Observer Effects and Admissibility Under FRE 702 179
Biography of the Publication 179
Professional Biography of the Authors 182
D. Michael Risinger 182
Michael J. Saks 182
William C. Thompson 183
Robert Rosenthal (1933-2024) 183
Contexts 184
General 184
Scientific 185
Historical 187
Social/Society 188
Structure of the Publication 188
Impact at the Time 189
Impact Today 189
Contribution to Current Practice 190
Concluding Remarks 191
Key Takeaways 191
Notes 192
Bibliography 193
9 The 2009 NAS Report - Strengthening Forensic Science 197
Name of the Publication 197
Introduction 197
Summary 199
Motivation for Writing 199
Terms 200
Biography of the Publication 201
Professional Biography of the Authors 201
Contexts 202
Scientific 202
Historical 203
Social/Society 204
Structure of the Publication 205
205
Appendices 206
Summary 207
Impact at the Time 213
Early Responses from the Disciplines 214
Early US Government Responses 216
Impact Today 224
PCAST (President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology) 224
OSAC and Regulation 226
Miscarriages of Justice 227
Handwriting 227
Artificial Intelligence 228
Other Issues 228
Contribution to Current Practice 229
Recommendation 1 229
Recommendation 2: Standardised Terminology and Reporting 229
Recommendation 3: More and Better Research 230
Recommendation 4 231
Recommendation 5: More Research on Cognitive Bias 231
Recommendation 6: Development of Tools and Procedures 231
Recommendation 7: Accreditation and Certification Mandated 231
Recommendation 8: Quality Control, Assurance and Improvement 232
Recommendation 9: Code of Ethics 232
Recommendation 10: Education and Training 233
Recommendation 12: AFIS interoperability 233
Fingerprints 233
Concluding Remarks 234
Key Takeaways 235
Notes 236
Bibliography 237
10 The Sydney Declaration 241
Name of Publication 242
Introduction to the Chapter 242
Introduction to the Publication 242
Contexts 244
Historical 244
Science 245
Terms and Definitions 247
The Origins of 'Criminology' and 'Criminalistics' 247
Gross Model of Criminology 247
Criminalistics 248
Summary of the Publication 249
Introduction and Definition of Forensic Science 249
Four Principles Governing Forensic Scientific Evidence 250
Summary of Claimed Benefits 251
Next Steps 251
Locard's Traces and Traceology 252
Motivation for Writing 252
The Lausanne School of Thought 252
Progress has been Misfocussed - One Science to Bind Them All 253
Strengths/Weaknesses/Obstacles/Threats 254
Strengths 254
Criticisms and Weaknesses 254
Obstacles 260
Threats 262
Biography of the Publication 265
Professional Biography of the Authors 265
Impact Today 266
Contribution to Current Practice 266
The Way Ahead 267
Separation from a Law Enforcement Culture 267
Police Unlikely to Cede Power 268
Organic Development of Specialisms 269
Budgets 269
The Future 270
Responsibility for the Next Steps 270
Drawing Strands Together, A Model Forensic Science Provider 270
Key Takeaways 271
Notes 273
Bibliography 274
Index 279
