Introduction to Forensic DNA Evidence for Criminal Justice Professionals

ISBN-13: 9781138415805 / Angielski / Twarda / 2017

Jane Moira Taupin

Opis

The notion of proof is central to mathematics yet it is one of the most difficult aspects of the subject to teach and master. In particular, undergraduate mathematics students often experience difficulties in understanding and constructing proofs. Understanding Mathematical Proof describes the nature of mathematical proof, explores the various techniques that mathematicians adopt to prove their results, and offers advice and strategies for constructing proofs. It will improve students ability to understand proofs and construct correct proofs of their own. The first chapter of the text introduces the kind of reasoning that mathematicians use when writing their proofs and gives some example proofs to set the scene. The book then describes basic logic to enable an understanding of the structure of both individual mathematical statements and whole mathematical proofs. It also explains the notions of sets and functions and dissects several proofs with a view to exposing some of the underlying features common to most mathematical proofs. The remainder of the book delves further into different types of proof, including direct proof, proof using contrapositive, proof by contradiction, and mathematical induction. The authors also discuss existence and uniqueness proofs and the role of counter examples.

Recenzje

. . . a valuable introduction, with many useful examples. The limitations of the subject, the need for caution in interpretation and problems such as contamination and degradation are expertly handled.
—Graham Fricke, QC, retired County Court Judge

Overall this book is very clearly written. The author is able to simplify complex scientific terms and concepts into information understandable by a wide audience with divers experiences and backgrounds … This book will serve as a great reference for nonscientists who routinely encounter DNA evidence within the criminal justice system and for students interested in an introduction to forensic DNA evidence.
—Book review by Krista E. Latham, PhD, appearing in the Journal of Forensic Sciences, July 2014, Vol. 59, No. 4

Spis treści

Acknowledgment, About the author, 1 History of forensic DNA profiling in criminal investigations, 2 Strengths and limitations of DNA profiling evidence, 3 DNA profiling basics, 4 Evidential value and statistics, 5 Partial profiles, low levels, and mixtures, 6 Y-STR profiling, 7 Other DNA techniques including mitochondrial DNA, 8 Concerns and controversies, 9 DNA pointers for criminal justice professionals, Appendix A: Glossary of terms used in reports and testimony, Appendix B: Selected DNA issues and case examples, Appendix C: Steps in review of evidence

O autorze

Jane Moira Taupin