This book presents 15 contested cases that are still being fought over today. In some shoddy lab work has been to blame, in others evidence collecting and there are some which could not be solved with forensic techniques. Colin Evans lays out the conflicting medical and scientific evidence of each case and shows how it was used or mishandled in reaching a verdict.

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This guide to the disclosure provisions of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and police, forensic and defence investigations is considered an essential publication for defence lawyers. It explains how they can manage restrictions on the disclosure of unused material, and how to deal with the requirement to give a written defence. This revised edition also includes the new rules on third party disclosure and the changes resulting from the new Narey provisions. Practical advice on investigating the scene has been greatly expanded.

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This book is aimed at the newcomer to the English Bar. As well as covering English law it includes frequent references to American and Commonwealth procedures.
Part 1 covers:
- the basic tools of advocacy
- court etiquette
- the jury
- speeches for the prosecution
- speeches for the defence
- judges
- note-taking
Part 2 covers:
- the examination of witnesses
- questioning
- examination in chief
- the basic approach to cross-examination
- the objectives of cross-examination
- re-examination
Part 3 covers:
- trials without a jury
- advocacy before the professional courts
- advocacy before non-professional courts.
 

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Coroners hold a very influential position in circumstances of sudden death, but many of those who have to deal with coroners on a regular basis do so from a position of ignorance regarding the true role and responsibilities of the coroner. Yet the coroner's inquest will often have great significance for those involved and can attract considerable media interest. Written by one of only 26 full-time coroners, this practical yet comprehensive book aims to assist all who have to deal with the coroners' court in a professional capacity. The book includes sections on: the coroner, the coroner's jurisdiction, reportable deaths; the post-mortem examination; preparing for an inquest; the purpose of the inquest; advice to families; the inquest hearing; juries; verdicts (including neglect and unlawful killing); after the inquest; judicial review; major disasters and treasure. With its clear explanations and systematic approach, the text provides extensive coverage of how a coroners' court really operates and what the proceedings are designed to achieve.

This book provides students and law enforcement officers with the fundamentals of the criminal investigation process from arrival on the scene through trial procedures. Written in a clear and simple style with a hands-on approach, this text presents a unique combination of legal, technical and procedural aspects of the criminal investigation. Important topics featured include conducting the investigation, use of informants, cognitive interviews, fugitive investigation and media relations.

This book is about the OJ Simpson trial and thousands of DNA cases heard each year. It is a clear, comprehensive and succinct guide to the scientific and legal issues surrounding forensic DNA testing. It also explains the complex technology and testimony of DNA in terms that the layman can understand. It is written by a DNA expert who has been testifying about forensic and paternity DNA testing since 1986.

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As an increasing range of expert evidence becomes available to it, the criminal justice system must answer a series of challenging questions: should experts be permitted to give evidence on the credibility of witnesses? How should statistical evidence be presented to juries? What relevance does syndrome have to questions of criminal responsibility? In Expert Evidence and Criminal Justice, Mike Redmayne explores these issues. His exposition uses work from a number of disciplines, and draws comparisons with the law and procedure in several different jurisdictions. While developing a general overview of the use of scientific evidence in the criminal process, Redmayne make use of detailed examinations of particular issues, such as battered woman syndrome, fingerprinting and eyewitness expertise. Through an analysis of expert evidence, he also invites reflection on a series of wider issues, among them the function of exclusionary rules and the nature of case construction.

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Intellectual property - including patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyright and brands - is becoming the primary raw material of the information age. As a result, to maintain competitive advantage companies will need to pay much greater attention to its effective creation, acquisition and exploitation. This book has been written to alert managers to the growing importance of intellectual property, to explain why this trend is set to continue in the future, and to offer practical guidance on effective management techniques for fully exploiting this all too often neglected corporate asset. Amongst other things, this book explains why the most aggressive competitive struggles of the next century will be fought over intellectual property rights, how the management of intellectual property must become the responsibility of everyone in the company, and how major international companies are already creating valuable new revenue streams through effective intellectual asset management.

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Written by two New Zealanders this volume describes the principles of interpretation which are applicable to all forms of scientific evidence. It is a first for explaining modern methods of interpreting scientific evidence for lawyers and scientists alike. Case studies illustrate the operation of the principles of interpretation and also show how the problems which arrive in certain cases can be avoided. In addition the authors expose some common fallacies which exist in forensic science cases and consider some specific types of scientific evidence in the light of their analysis.

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The last decade has seen the field of computer law develop at a phenomenal rate in response to changing technology. Introduction to Computer Law explains the law clearly and makes it accessible to a wide audience. In this fourth edition, the law within the four key areas of intellectual property rights, contract, criminal law, and data protection has been comprehensively updated, expanded and rewritten to reflect technological change, new decisions and new legislation. The emphasis is on describing and examining the law in the context of the practicalities of computer use. Features of the new edition include:
- the new database rights and changes to database copyright law issues relating to the Internet and e-commerce, including copyright, domain names, defamation and the publishers’ defence
- new cases on computer misuse, software copyright and the patentability of software inventions
- the nature of shrink-wrap licences in the light of the recent case of Beta v Adobe
- liability for defective software, including the Millennium Bug
- the position regarding employees and RSI
- the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Privacy in Telecommunications Directive

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Specially written for those coming new to the study of law, this new introductory text provides a clear and concise explanation of all the major aspects of the English legal system. In addition, by offering a lively analysis of the major issues currently facing the English legal system, the book provides the reader with the basis for thinking critically about how the system has developed in recent years, and how it many be shaped in years to come. The book begins with an examination of the purposes and functions of law and of the law-making process. It then goes on to give an overview of the institutional framework of the English legal system, looking at the role of government in shaping this framework. This is followed by an introduction to each of the main areas of the criminal justice system. The final section provides a useful overview of the delivery and funding of legal services, and the book concludes with a chapter outlining some of the problems with the present legal system.

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The first edition of this work was in 1829, and this is the 12th edition. A great deal has changed since the first edition, and even more since the role custos placitorum coronae emerged during the 12th century. A brief, but interesting account, of the early history of the role of Coroner forms part of the introduction to this book. In the nine years since the last edition there have been several important changes; general measures such as human rights and data protection, and more specific action like the new Treasure Act, and some important cases. There is more in the pipeline. The Home Office is conducting a review which is expected to report next year, and there will be changes in death certification and the disposal of bodies following the enquiry into the Shipman case. Even if these lead to major changes in the law, it will have been useful to have this compilation of the law and practice as it now stands.

Forensic pathologists and scientists are likely to appear as witnesses in the Coroner’s Court, or in subsequent criminal or civil trials. The sections of this work on the conduct of a Coroner’s Court will provide interesting background. The sections on death, forensic medicine and pathology, homicide, notifiable accidents and prescribed diseases, and major disasters provide useful background definitions and will indicate the sort of questions the Court will be interested in. In the case of Treasure, other experts might be involved in dating and identifying the objects. The main users of this work will be Coroners and Lawyers who appear in Coroners Courts. A valuable feature of law books is the complete listing of cited cases, quoted statutes and statutory instruments, and civil procedure rules referred to in the book. All or part of the most significant Acts and SIs have been reproduced in the book in the appendices. For non-lawyers such lists are a valuable entry to the documents of the legislation. Other appendices cover fees, the Treasure Code of Practice and the Precedents for a Judicial Review. All are likely to be of use, although one would hope to avoid the last! The book is laid out in numbered paragraphs and is indexed and cross-referred by paragraph. Again, this is general practice in law books, but it makes it easier to use the index and cross references.The explanations and descriptions of procedures and the law, were clear, comprehensible, and fairly easy to follow. Forensic practitioners should find this a useful book.

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This popular book has established itself as a core reference on the laws of drug misuses and trafficking. Offering a balance of law and procedure from an objective viewpoint, it is relied upon by all sectors of the criminal legal system. With its impartial approach, both defence lawyers and the police draw on its straightforward guidance. It offers discussion, putting both sides of the argument, and explains complex concepts clearly. Features include:

Covers all offences, plus sentencing and confiscation orders

Contains practical tables for handy reference in court, outlining the sentences for various offences
As the first new edition in five years, the text has been thoroughly revised to include:

Expanded explanations of the current legal and social position regarding drug use and distribution

Updated commentary on confiscation and asses forfeiture, including a summary of the Proceeds of Crime Bill 2001

Wider analysis of UK drug legislation in an international context

HRA/ECHR material

Findings and recommendations of the independent Inquiry into the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

Sentencing chapter with latest developments
This book will be frequently used by police, drug agencies, forensic scientists, defendants and practitioners.
 

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This four-volume book is intended to introduce judges and lawyers to the rigours and details underlying scientific expert testimony by providing an entry point to a host of scientific fields that are highly relevant to the law. This book aims to provide an overview of the law into which the science must be integrated, to emphasise the methodological principles and reasoning that underlie various types of scientific evidence, and to summarise the state-of-the-art in various scientific fields. Chapters include DNA, fingerprints, handwriting, firearms, tools, bites, talker identification, fires, arson, explosives and toxicology.

This American published book defines clearly and simply what a patent is and why you may need one. It also explains:
- Basic patent principles
- Documenting and acquiring patent rights
- How to read” a patent application
- The nuts and bolts of patent ownership
- How to analyse patent disputes
- Where to search for patent information
- The basics of international patent law

For sixty years this work has reigned supreme in its field. It has instructed generations of budding lawyers, renewed the resources of courtroom veterans, sharpened the skills of interviewers, social workers, psychologists and other professionals who use questioning in their day-to-day work. It has also entertained thousands of general readers who delight in the drama of the trial.

Drawing upon his own experiences and upon the brilliant achievements of many notable lawyers, Wellman explains and exemplifies the principles of questioning. He quotes extensively from many memorable cases, using them to illustrate both the manner and matter of cross-examination. He takes up the handling of the perjured witness and the expert, he underscores the importance of sequence, and he offers many insights into the psychology of the witness. He shows how knowing when to elicit information - and when not to - are part of the artistry of the advocate.

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This book is a new and authoritative account of the criminal justice system in England and Wales that engages with the central issues common to any major criminal justice system. The chapters provide a unique description of a dynamic and developing criminal justice system at work. This book not only offers a clear understanding of the way the current English legal system works, but will equip the reader with a greater knowledge of criminal procedure in general and where and why choices have to be made. This new work is essential reading for all those studying the administration of criminal justice and criminology, as well as practitioners and policy-makers. McConville and Wilson offer comprehensive coverage of the entire criminal process from police investigation through the trial process to appeals and rectifications of miscarriages of justice. There are 29 chapters, including evidence in criminal cases, science, experts and criminal justice, miscarriages of justice and the correction of error.

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This book is widely regarded as the leading work on the subject. It provides a lucid and wide-ranging account of the English Legal System covering both the institutions, personnel and procedures, and the handling of case laws and statutes. The text is accompanied by sample court forms, tables of essential statistics and flow charts illustrating the court structures. Reference is also made to the results of empirical research on the operation of the legal system, as well as to legal rules. The fourth edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to include many new developments including:

the implementation of the Human Rights Act 1998

the fundamental reforms of civil procedure

the remodelling of arrangements for publicly funded legal services

the numerous and far reaching reforms of criminal justice

and the recommendations of the Auld Review.
Although primarily aimed at undergraduate students, this book remains the ideal textbook for anyone seeking a comprehensive examination of the modern English Legal System.

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This is an essential purchase for solicitors, barristers, CPS, police officers, judges, academic lawyers and law students. It is eight years since that last edition and there are over 250 new cases as well as the updated PACE Codes of Practice (in force from 1st April 2003) and a copy of the Act with all its amendments.
Included also is:
The Human Rights Act 1998, with a new section explaining its impact on police powers,
The Police Reform Act 2002, covering the wide powers given to civilians under the act and including the statutory provisions in full,
Relevant sections of other legislative materials in full
A question and answer section in each chapter clarifying the most important issues under each topic,
A detailed index which defines all the terms in the Act and
An extensive bibliography.

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The editors intend this book to be used by undergraduate and graduate students who need "a comprehensive, up-to-date, and fairly high-level review of psychological theory and research bearing on the courtroom trial". It will be most useful to students and researchers within the fields of social science, forensic psychology, applied psychology, criminal psychology and law. Each chapter has been written by a behavioural scientist from within the field, and focuses solely on roles or problems that affect the courtroom. Topics include jury selection, the effect of defendants' and victims' personal characteristics on jurors' verdicts, the reliability of eyewitness testimony and the social psychology of jury deliberations and judging.

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