Introduction to Statistics for Forensic Scientists [Kindle Edition]

David Lucy (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"…useful for those who are becoming introduced to forensic science." (The American Statistician, August 2007)

"...the book is an easy read...it would appeal to students of forensic science at both introductory and advanced levels." (Journal of Tropical Pedriatrics, 2nd February 2006)

" … deserves a place in the library of any serious forensic scientist and I congratulate the author on his achievement." (Significance, Issue 3, 2006)

" … an easy read with many complex concepts described in a lucid style." (Journal of Tropical Pediatrics: Vol. 52; 4, 2006)

"One of the most important issues in using likelihood ratios in a forensic context may well be determining the relevant population of a sample. This is an are that is discussed throughout the text…gives insight…" (Canadian Society of Forensic Science, October 2006)

Product Description

Introduction to Statistics for Forensic Scientists is an essential introduction to the subject, gently guiding the reader through the key statistical techniques used to evaluate various types of forensic evidence. Assuming only a modest mathematical background, the book uses real-life examples from the forensic science literature and forensic case-work to illustrate relevant statistical concepts and methods.

Opening with a brief overview of the history and use of statistics within forensic science, the text then goes on to introduce statistical techniques commonly used to examine data obtained during laboratory experiments. There is a strong emphasis on the evaluation of scientific observation as evidence and modern Bayesian approaches to interpreting forensic data for the courts. The analysis of key forms of evidence are discussed throughout with a particular focus on DNA, fibres and glass.

An invaluable introduction to the statistical interpretation of forensic evidence; this book will be invaluable for all undergraduates taking courses in forensic science.

• Introduction to the key statistical techniques used in the evaluation of forensic evidence
  
  
• Includes end of chapter exercises to enhance student understanding
  
  
• Numerous examples taken from forensic science to put the subject into context
  
  

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 3017 KB
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 2, 2006)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000WLZQW4
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #255,245 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #19 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Biostatistics
  • #48 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Medicine > Research

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Required Text for Class Contains Typos & Errors, February 27, 2011

By 

Dathios - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introduction to Statistics for Forensic Scientists (Paperback)

I was required to purchase this text for my class, Statistics for Forensic Science, and my professor is very upset with it because it is full of typos and errors which only manages to confuse us even more, as it is a difficult course for a sophomore. My professor compiled a list of all of the errors so we can remember where they are. He even sent a letter to the publisher, but they haven't responded.

Other than that, what I do find helpful about the book is the review questions at the end and the detailed answers at the back of the book on how to solve said review questions. It would be easier, though, if all the example questions were written in a format that is separate from the paragraph. What I mean is that all the sample questions are melted together into a paragraph, which makes it difficult to follow, as opposed to a format that better reflects the algebraic method.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As boring as it is educational, January 23, 2009

By 

A. Boggess (Morgantown, WV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introduction to Statistics for Forensic Scientists (Paperback)

As an assigned textbook for a forensic course, it provided a perfect compliment to the course work by providing real-world scenarios, intuitive organization, and speaking in useful specifics instead of hypothetical generalities. However, anyone attempting a liesurely read of this book should be warned: it is all substance with little to no fluff. Which can tend to make it a bit of a boring read.

That being said, in sheer content, I find it to be one of the definative works in the field of Forensic Statistics.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Could be a "must have"... when corrected, May 17, 2008

By 

Silex (France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Statistics for Forensic Scientists (Paperback)

After so many courses and operational practice of statistics applied to forensic sciences, I finally found the relevant book to not only summarize all my data around, give some intelligibility to my process, but even have an "all of a sudden" revelation about this field. The structure adopted in this book by Dr LUCY, a well recognized forensic statistician, allows the reader to learn, check and understand back to basics statistics and jumped into the relevant subjective ones for forensic science.
Unfortunately, my plain satisfaction is largely overshadowed by too many written mistakes (even detectable by the French reader I am...), some typewriter errors (which could be largely misleading for reader having no statistician skill to be able to correct) and visibly an absence of referee lecture. Else how to explain references to previous pages with only ... (three dots) or permanent mistakes when referring to appendices ?
The critic is not only addressed to Dr Lucy, but also to the editor (Wiley), who didn't accustomize myself to such a poor formalist scientific book, which cost is irrelevant with the imperfections.
Would any of the responsible have a look to this comment, I am ready to send him page per page the detected errors, and would be glad to get a new edition, which would replace my all over the text corrected one.

Dr CRISPINO, Forensic Scientist