Weight-of-Evidence for Forensic DNA Profiles [Hardcover]

David J. Balding (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470867647 | ISBN-13: 978-0470867648 | Publication Date: March 21, 2005 | Edition: 1

Assessing Weight-of-Evidence for DNA Profiles is an excellent introductory text to the use of statistical analysis for assessing DNA evidence.  It offers practical guidance to forensic scientists with little dependence on mathematical ability as the book includes background information on statistics – including likelihood ratios – population genetics, and courtroom issues.

The author, who is highly experienced in this field, has illustrated the book throughout with his own experiences as well as providing a theoretical underpinning to the subject.  It is an ideal choice for forensic scientists and lawyers, as well as statisticians and population geneticists with an interest in forensic science and DNA.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is a good example of how statistics can be explained in plain English to a nontechnical audience, a skill that every statistician needs to master for improved communication." (Technometrics, August 2008)

"...this book should provide a good starting point for any reader..." (International Statistical Institute, January 2006)

" … one of the most gifted writers in forensic interpretation…an excellent contribution to our field." (Science & Justice Volume 45 no. 3)

From the Back Cover

The introduction of DNA profiling into courtrooms during the late 1980s caused substantial controversy. Profiling techniques have advanced considerably since that time, and the power of DNA evidence is indisputable; but the importance of accurate evidence interpretation must not be underestimated. This book provides a thorough presentation of weight-of-evidence for DNA profiling, and aims to help both the lawyer and the forensic scientist charged with presenting DNA evidence in court.

• Links up population genetics and statistics theory with the reality of issues surrounding the presentation of evidence in court; e.g. the prosecutor’s fallacy, and the introduction of Bayesian methods in the courtroom.
• Shows how to calculate likelihood ratios from first principles, including a thorough interpretation of the θ adjustments to allow for co-ancestry.
• Provides a self-contained introduction to population genetics relevant to DNA profiles.
• Provides an introduction to the technology of short random repeat (STR, or microsatellite) based profiling, and a brief introduction to SNP profiles.

• Provides a comparison with alternative methods for evaluating weight-of-evidence, e.g. uniqueness, exclusion probabilities, and hypothesis training.
• Fully worked examples given throughout the book, as well as exercises with solutions.

Weight-of-evidence for forensic DNA profiles is aimed at forensic scientists presenting evidence in court as well as all students of evidence interpretation. Little background is necessary in either statistics or population genetics; statisticians however will find fascinating applications of important statistical concepts . This book is also suitable for judges and lawyers seeking to attain a thorough understanding of weight-of-evidence theory, and those interested in the application of these principles to the legal field and their presentation in the courtroom.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 198 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (March 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470867647
• ISBN-13: 978-0470867648
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,555,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Weight of evidence - an excellent starting point, March 24, 2006

By 

Duncan Taylor (Adelaide, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Weight-of-Evidence for Forensic DNA Profiles (Hardcover)

I work in the forensic DNA field and found this book an excellent starting point for understanding some of the difficult concepts that arise when dealing with DNA. It gives clear and simple examples which demonstrate important theories and builds up to quite complex statistical theories and derivations. A neat feature about this book is the marked sections, which require some assumed knowledge to understand, but do not detrimentally impact on the rest of the book if they are skipped (or not fully understood). Exercises at the end of each section allows you to practise what you have just learnt. And a section at the end, which talks about court cases that have dealt with DNA issues, is a nice end

I think that this book would have sections applicable to a wide variety of people (Forensic biologists/statisticians, lawyers or just interested poeple).

Some of the heavier sections will require some reading from other sources before they are understood, but this is the case of many texts, and this book gives good references for you to start that extra reading.

To sum up, for a difficult area this book gives a clear and simple explanations and is an enjoyable read. Extra reading will be required in some areas, however i highly reccomend it to anyone interested in the issues of weighting DNA evidence.