Law for Forensic Scientists

Law for Forensic Scientists fills a significant gap by providing an accessible and comprehensive textbook for forensic science students, practitioners, and attorneys working with forensic evidence. While numerous books cover criminal law, criminal procedure, and expert testimony separately – often tailored for law students and criminal defense attorneys – this book uniquely integrates these key areas for forensic scientists.

Designed to build a broad understanding of the legal landscape, this book covers essential topics such as criminal offenses, criminal procedures, Fourth Amendment search and seizure law, forensic evidence collection, the treatment of science in Anglo-American jurisprudence, and expert testimony. Each chapter presents content in a structured and digestible format, featuring case studies, key terms, thought-provoking questions, chapter summaries, and references for further reading. Significant case law is incorporated throughout that illustrate real-world applications. To support both students and instructors, this book includes a full subject, case, and statutory index, as well as a glossary for quick reference. Additionally, online instructor resources provide supplementary materials, including a proposed syllabus and test questions, making it a valuable resource for forensic science and legal studies courses.

Law for Forensic Scientists is an accessible textbook appropriate for students in forensic science programs taking a course on criminal law.

Kenneth E. Melson, JD is a graduate of Denison University and the George Washington University Law School. He has been a county prosecutor, an Assistant United States Attorney, a court-appointed U.S. Attorney, the Director of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, an acting Director of the ATF, and an attorney in an Inspector General’s office. He has been an Adjunct Professor at the GWU School of Law for over 35 years and taught criminal law in the Department of Forensic Sciences. He has served as the Senior Advisor on Forensic Science in the Office of Legal Policy at the US Department of Justice. He was a co-chair of the Subcommittee on Forensic Science in the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President. He was the President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 2003-2004.

Victor W. Weedn, MD, JD is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, South Texas College of Law, and the Southwestern Medical School. He has been employed as a medical examiner, crime lab director, research scientist, and forensic science and law professor. He has taught forensic science and law courses at various institutions. He founded the DNA identification program for the U.S. military, where he helped to pioneer STR and mtDNA technologies. He developed the current NAME Inspection and Accreditation program. He has twice testified to the U.S. Congress, drafted legislation that was later enacted, and drafted several amicus briefs for NAME for state and federal courts that proved persuasive. He was the President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences from 2015 to 2016. He served as the Senior Forensic Advisor to U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates from late 2016 to 2017. He participated on the Scientific Advisory Board of the International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor in 2017 and 2018.