Malaysian Parliamentary Issues 2009: DNA Bill -- Background Readings #2

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Ancient DNA: Recovery and Analysis of Genetic Material from Paleontological, Archaeological, Museum, Medical, and Forensic Specimens Amazon by Bernd Herrmann, Susanne Hummel (Editor) Hardcover Published by Springer Verlag Publication date: November 1993 Synopsis: Interest in ancient DNA is growing very rapidly in fields as diverse as evolution, anthropology, medicine, agriculture, and even law enforcement. This is a valuable source of information, ideas, and protocols for everyone interested in this extraordinary field. 50 illustrations; 10 tables. --This text refers to the paperback edition of this title.

And the Blood Cried Out: A Prosecutor's Spellbinding Account of the Power of DNA Amazon by Harlan Levy Hardcover, 223 pages Published by Basic Books Publication date: August 1,1996 Amazon.com: Many of the most high-profile cases of our time, including the World Trade Center bombing and the O.J. Simpson trial, have hinged on DNA evidence. This book is the first book to examine the controversy surrounding DNA evidence, illustrating both the power and the pitfalls of DNA evidence through riveting accounts of the most sensational trials of our day.

DNA and the Criminal Justice System: The Technology of Justice (Basic Bioethics) Amazon by David Lazer (Editor) Hardcover, 424 pages Published by MIT Press Publication date: November 1, 2004 Book Description: Is DNA technology the ultimate diviner of guilt or the ultimate threat to civil liberties? Over the past decade, DNA has been used to exonerate hundreds and to convict thousands. Its expanded use over the coming decade promises to recalibrate significantly the balance between collective security and individual freedom. For example, it is possible that law enforcement DNA databases will expand to include millions of individuals not convicted of any crime. Moreover, depending on what rules govern access, such databases could also be used for purposes that range from determining paternity to assessing predispositions to certain diseases or behaviors. Thus the use of DNA technology will involve tough trade-offs between individual and societal interests. This book, written by a distinguished group of authors including US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, explores the ethical, procedural, and economic challenges posed by the use of DNA evidence as well as future directions for the technology. After laying the conceptual historical, legal, and scientific groundwork for the debate, the book considers bioethical issues raised by the collection of DNA, including the question of control over DNA databases. The authors then turn to the possible genetic bases of human behavior and the implications of this still-unresolved issue for the criminal justice system. Finally, the book examines the current debate over the many roles that DNA can and should play in criminal justice.

DNA : Forensic and Legal Applications Amazon by Lawrence Kobilinsky, Thomas F. Liotti, Jamel Oeser-Sweat, James Watson (Foreword), Jan Witkowski (Foreword) Published by Wiley-Interscience Published in September, 2004 Review: This valuable codebook will go a long way toward helping us win the 'DNA battle' ...we owe the authors a great debt of gratitude." (New York Law Journal, December 15, 2004) Review: "DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications is a comprehensive and invaluable guide to the field, covering topics ranging from collecting samples in the field to presenting the complex results to a jury. We are sure that it will play its part in promoting this most powerful tool in the forensic scientist’s armamentarium." - From the Foreword by Drs. James Watson and Jan Witkowski From the Back Cover: "We are sure that DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications will play its part in promoting this most powerful tool in the forensic scientist’s armamentarium." – James Watson, PhD – Jan Witkowski. PhD Because it consists of a number of complex steps and procedures subject to both scientific and legal standards, the collection, analysis, presentation, and interpretation of DNA evidence remains a complex process. Any procedural or documentary misstep can potentially render key evidence or testimony useless. To avoid such costly errors, scientists, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, and judges all must possess a detailed knowledge of how forensic DNA works, from the crime scene to the laboratory to the courtroom and beyond. DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide to this important and increasingly prevalent legal tool. Designed to reach readers in both legal and scientific fields, this text gives a global view of the practical issues involved in the forensic use of DNA. In clear, nontechnical language, the text covers: A scientific overview of DNA and common DNA tests Techniques used by criminalists on the path from crime scene to final laboratory analysis Procedures used to analyze biological evidence Human genetics, population genetics, and statistics in the context of DNA testing and genetic profiling Understanding and interpreting DNA evidence with respect to past and present law Concepts and procedures used in challenging or defending DNA evidence Postconviction appeals based on analysis of existing DNA evidence, including a discussion of The Innocence Project The future of DNA technology with respect to legal evidence gathering and analysis In a unique combination of legal practice and scientific analysis, DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications provides forensic scientists, potential expert witnesses, and professionals in the criminal justice system with the definitive resource on the methods of DNA analysis as well as the handling, potential, and limitations of DNA evidence. About the Authors: LAWRENCE KOBILINSKY is currently the Associate Provost and a Professor of Biology and Immunology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. An internationally renowned forensic scientist, he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences as well as the New York Microscopical Society, and has published extensively in the areas of identification and individualization using protein genetic markers and DNA analysis. THOMAS F. LIOTTI has represented clients in high-profile cases involving DNA. He is a Village Justice in Westbury, New York, and is currently a partner at the law offices of Thomas F. Liotti, located in Garden City, New York. He is a past president of the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Fellow in the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. JAMEL OESER-SWEAT is a member of both the New York and New Jersey bars and has been admitted to practice before the Patent and Trademark Office. A former Westinghouse scholar, he has published several abstracts and articles in the field of microbiology, and has been a guest lecturer at several universities and conferences. Description: Includes a Foreword by Dr. James D. Watson, the co-discoverer of the DNA double helix, and Dr. Jan A. Witkowski. "From the Foreword by Drs. Watson and Witkowski: 'DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications is a comprehensive and invaluable guide to the field, covering topics ranging from collecting samples in the field to presenting the complex results to a jury. We are sure that it will play its part in promoting this most powerful tool in the forensic scientist’s armamentarium.'" DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications covers the technology and laws related to DNA, as well as the use of DNA evidence in the legal system. This combination of science and law makes it the first comprehensive title of its kind and an appropriate reference for those with both elementary and advanced knowledge of the topic. It draws together in one source information that would previously have required extensive research and reliance on experts to obtain, offering both breadth and depth in a clear style without s acrificing scholarly goals. With material from both scientific and legal areas, DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications covers the latest advances in technology. It provides an ideal text for forensic scientists and students of forensic science, analytical chemists, lawyers, judges, police officers, and detectives.

DNA Fingerprinting Amazon (Impact Books) by Christopher Lampton School & Library Binding Published by Franklin Watts Publication date: October 1991 Brent's note: DNA fingerprinting has got to be one of the worst phrases ever coined, even though some of the lazier experts wind up using it because it's a useful analogy when it benefits them. When I hear the phrase DNA fingerprinting, I think of a chocolate bicycle: I know what chocolate is, and I know what a bicycle is. But a chocolate bicycle makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, from a functional perspective. Card catalog description: Examines the procedures and uses of DNA fingerprinting as a method of identification in forensic science.

DNA in the Courtroom: A Trial Watcher's Guide Amazon by Eric Swenson, Howard Coleman 1 Edition Paperback, 131 Published by Genelex Pr Publication date: June 1,1995

DNA Is Here to Stay Amazon (Cells and Things) by Frances R. Balkwill, Mic Rolph (Illustrator) Library Binding Published by Carolrhoda Books Publication date: February 1993 Card catalog description: A simple explanation of what DNA is and what it does in the body.

DNA and Other Polymorphisms in Forensic Science Amazon by Henry C. Lee, Gaensslen R.E. (Editors) Hardcover Published by Year Book Medical Pub Publication date: March 1990 Brent's Note: I got this book at Powell's technical books in Portland back in 1992 before I even knew who these fellows were. Now, as Dr. Gaensslen reminded me on a number of occasions, he did not this books. It has many chapters written by many competent minds. It was my first highly technical exposure to DNA. And you know what? I understood it. I understood it better after listening to Doc G. and Henry lecture on it over and over again while getting my masters, but this book really prepared me. Although it is the kind of book that has paragraphs that must be reread to be fully understood (at least for me). But even as a non-lab person, it was worth it for me.

DNA Profiling: Principles, Pitfalls, and Potential: A Handbook of DNA-Based Evidence for the Legal, Forensic and Law Enforcement Professionals Amazon by Simon Easteal, Neil McLeod, Ken Reed Hardcover Published by Harwood Academic Pub Publication date: September 1991 Book News, Inc., 05/01/92: Australian scholars of genetics, law, and agricultural biotechnology, present a handbook of DNA-based evidence for the legal, forensic, and law-enforcement professions. Explains to non-scientists how the genetic material in tissue residues is analyzed to provide direct identification of an individual. Describes the principles and procedures, the scientific aspects and legal implications of obtaining tissue samples, and problems that can arise in interpretation. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

DNA Technology in Forensic Science (NRC I Report) Amazon National Res Council, Committee on DNA Technology in Forensic science Paperback, 185 pages Published by Natl. Academy Pr Publication date: July 1,1992 Book News, Inc., 02/01/93: Surveys the growing practice of matching DNA from crime scenes with that of suspects. Offers recommendations for such issues as the reliability and quality of DNA typing, standardization, and certification; and considers broader concerns such as the different levels of understanding by judges and juries, population genetics, and rights of privacy concerning DNA data and samples. Includes a glossary without pronunciation. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. Also available for viewing on-line HERE.

DNA Typing Protocols: Molecular Biology and Forensic Analysis Amazon by Bruce Budowle (Editor) Published by Eaton Publishing Company/Biotechniques Books Published December, 2000 Book Info: (BioTechniques Books) FBI, Washington, DC. Laboratory manual provides a comprehensive compendium of DNA typing techniques. Compiled by a team of prominent biomolecular scientists from the FBI Forensic Sciences Research and Training Laboratory. Topics include DNA extraction techniques. Outline format. Plastic-comb binding.

Evaluation of Forensic DNA Evidence: Update on Evaluating DNA Evidence (NRC II Report) Amazon Hardcover Published by Natl. Academy Press Publication date: December 1996 From Book News: An update of the 1992 National Research Council's , reporting on how DNA evidence is interpreted in courts, examining developments in population genetics and statistics, and commenting on statements made in the previous volume that proved controversial or that have been misapplied in the courts. Offers recommendations for handling samples and performing calculations, and discusses causes and prevention of laboratory errors. Also addresses statistical issues. Also available for viewing on-line HERE.

An Introduction to Forensic DNA Analysis Amazon by Keith Inman, Norah Rudin 2nd Edition Hardcover Published by CRC Press Published in February, 1997 Brent's notes: Norah Rudin, PhD is a Forensic DNA Consultant, and she can be reached by email here. You can read the CRC's description of the book here. Keith is with the California Department of Justice DNA Laboratory, and six years as Lab Director prior to that. Both are excellent, intelligent people with an experienced, applied grasp of the role of the Forensic Sciences in our criminal justice system. Description: DNA analysis has its roots in classical genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology; however, it has recently found itself in an unlikely arena: a court of law. How can judges, juries, and others with little or no scientific training hope to comprehend the specifics of the highly technical fields of molecular biology and genetics? Introduction to Forensic DNA Analysis translates these concepts into plain English so that lay-people can gain insight into how DNA analysis works, from sample collection to interpretation of results. This book emphasizes the advantages and limitations of various DNA techniques used in the analysis of forensic evidence. The authors discuss forensic DNA issues from both a scientific and a legal perspective, and they present the material in a manner understandable by professionals in the legal system, forensic science, and law enforcement. Coverage includes: Key terminology used in the field The scientific basis of DNA typing Statistical interpretations of DNA typing A summary of court decisions and admissibility standards A set of 68 slides, taken from photos and illustrations in An Introduction to Forensic DNA Analysis, is available directly from the authors. $150.00 (plus applicable California state tax and shipping).

The Forensic Cookbook: The Science of Crime Scene Investigation Amazon by Ngaire E. Genge Published by Ballantine Books Published August, 2002 From School Library Journal: Adult/High School-This well-researched and vetted book is chock-full of fascinating, informative, sometimes incredible examples of forensic crime fighting. It begins with the identification and protection of the area where a crime took place; the next three chapters focus on work at the scene, and the last one describes the roles of the dog handler and forensic photographer. Bulleted information and quotes, sidebars with examples from both true and fictitious crimes, and uncaptioned black-and-white photographs appear throughout. There are frequent references to the television show CSI, films, and literature to illustrate when fiction writers got it right, and when they got it ludicrously wrong. Experts provide an absorbing look at all aspects of the profession from imprint evidence to DNA fingerprinting and from document examination to forensic entomology. Appendixes list employment opportunities, requisite qualifications and skills, academic institutions offering forensic programs, and more. Fans of CSI and similar shows, those considering crime-scene investigation as a career, and readers of true crime and crime fiction will find this book engrossing. Dori DeSpain, Fairfax County Public Library, VA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. From the inside flap: THE ULTIMATE READERS’ GUIDE TO THE ART OF FORENSICS! An intrepid investigator crawls through miles of air conditioning ducts to capture the implicating fibers of a suspect’s wool jacket . . . A forensic entomologist discovers insects in the grill of a car and nails down a drug dealer’s precise geographical path . . . A gluttonous criminal’s fingerprints are lifted from a chocolate truffle. . . . Filled with these and many other intriguing true stories, and packed with black and white illustrations and photographs, The Forensic Casebook draws on interviews with police personnel and forensic scientists—including animal examiners, botanists, zoologists, firearms specialists, and autoposists—to uncover the vast and detailed underworkings of criminal investigation. Encyclopedic in scope, this riveting, authoritative book leaves no aspect of forensic science untouched, covering such fascinating topics as: Securing a crime scene Identifying blood splatter patterns Collecting fingerprints—and feet, lip, and ear prints Interpreting the stages of a body’s decay Examining hair and fiber evidence Trace evidence from firearms and explosives “Lifting” DNA prints Computer crime and forensic photography Career paths in criminal science Lucidly written and spiked with real crime stories, The Forensic Casebook exposes the nitty gritty that other books only touch upon. Here is a reference book as addictive as a page-turning novel of suspense.

Forensic DNA Evidence Interpretation Amazon by John Buckleton (Editor), Christopher M. Triggs (Editor), Simon J. Walsh (Editor) Published by CRC Press Published December, 2004 From Book News Inc.: Seven academics and practitioners from New Zealand, Australia, and England contribute 12 chapters linking the biological, forensic, and interpretative/statistical domains of the DNA profiling field. The text deals in large part with the interpretation of DNA profiles, mixed or unmixed, after they have been collected, stored, transferred, and finally analyzed in the laboratory. Coverage includes the biological basis for DNA evidence; a framework for interpreting evidence; population genetic models; relatedness; validating databases; sampling effects; mixtures; low copy number; nonautosomal forensic markers; parentage testing; disaster victim identification, identification of missing persons, and immigration cases; and DNA intelligence databases. For forensic scientists and technicians, molecular biologists, and attorneys. Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Forensic DNA Profiling Protocols Amazon by Patrick J. Lincoln (Editor), Jim Thomson (Editor), James A. Thomson (Editor) Published by Humana Press Published June, 1998 From Book News Inc.: Describes the techniques of DNA identity-testing. The text is very specific, detailing exactly what chemicals and procedures are to be used for a variety of situations, from analysis of saliva-stained materials like cigarette butts and stamps to higher-quality samples like those taken directly from blood or other parts of the body. Most chapters deal with PCR typing, but other methods such as VNTR and Southern blot analysis are also covered. Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR Description: Royal School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK. State-of-the-art advances in identity testing through DNA analysis. Covers PCR-based test systems, direct-phase minisequencing, and more. DNLM: DNA Fingerprinting--methods-- laboratory manuals.

Forensic DNA Typing : Biology, Technology, and Genetics behind STR Markers Amazon by John M. Butler 2nd Edition Hardcover Published by Academic Press Published in February, 2005 From Book News Inc.: Examines the science of current DNA typing methods by focusing on the biology and technology behind short tandem repeat (STR) markers and the most common forensic DNA analysis methods used. Chapters cover the subject from an introductory level up to the latest research. Case study chapters review the DNA testing performed in high-profile cases such as the O.J. Simpson case and the Thomas Jefferson evidence. Material is intended to aid forensic DNA laboratories in meeting the training requirements stated in the new DNA Advisory Board Quality Assurance Standards. Information on suppliers of DNA analysis equipment, products, and services is included. Of interest to forensic scientists, lawyers, and law enforcement professionals. Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR Description: The second edition of this highly successfull book includes the latest information on DNA typing systems, Y chromosome material and mitochondrial DMNA markers. New chapters cover statistical genetic analysis of DNA data, an emerging field of interest to DNA research. Several chapters on statistical analysis of short tandem repeat (STR) typing data have been contributed by Dr. George Carmody, a well-respected professor in forensic genetics. Specific examples make the the concepts of population genetics more understandable. The only book available that specifically covers detailed information on mitochondrial DNA and the Y chromosome Chapters cover the topic from introductory level right up to cutting edge research High-profile cases are addressed throughout the book, near the sections dealing with the science or issues behind these cases.

Interpreting DNA Evidence: Statistical Genetics for Forensic Scientists Amazon by Dr. Ian W. Evett and Dr. Bruce S. Weir 1st Edition Paperback Published by Sinauer Associates Published July 15, 1998 Description: The Forensic Science Service, UK. Text discussing basic probability theory, the Bayesian approach to inference, concepts of population genetics, disputed parentage, interpretation of cases of profiles of mixtures, and the presentation of evidence in court, especially the Appeals Court in the UK. Softcover.

Mind over Murder: DNA and Other Forensic Adventures Amazon by Jack Batten Hardcover, 256 pages Published by McClelland & Stewart Publication date: October 1,1996 From the inside flap: No one who has heard and read about the murder trial of O.J. Simpson can fail to be aware of the importance of forensic evidence in the case. Particularly prominent – and controversial – has been the issue of DNA, the latest in the arsenal of scientific weapons in the battle against crime. But, although forensic science has been around since the days of Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, even avid readers of mystery stories and true-crime narratives are usually unclear about the methods and skills employed by the forensic scientist. In addition, as those scientists become more ingenious, as the instruments they use grow more sophisticated, the means they come up with to track the perpetrators of crime begin to approach the kind of wonders found in science fiction. Now Jack Batten, well-known for his popular books about the law, has set out to shed light on DNA and other pieces of magic that are regularly worked by scientists and their allies in the forensic field – both at the scenes of crimes and, later, in the laboratories. The route he takes to investigate each piece of forensic science is by way of a particular Canadian trial, and his guides on the route are the detectives, the prosecutors and defence attorneys, and the scientists who actually worked on the cases. He considers the following: Ink analysis, which is used to examine two suspect lines in a police detective’s notebook; footprint casting and identification, which eventually convicts two armed robbers, even though the footprint was left in snow; stomach-content analysis, the controversial method by which time of death was estimated in the Steven Truscott case; forensic accounting, which finally traced and recovered money defrauded from the government of Trinidad, years after it was considered lost; and the analysis of blood, hair, semen, and DNA, which led to Johnny Terceira’s conviction for the murder of Andrea Atkinson. In an epilogue, he looks at recent advances in DNA analysis, as Guy Paul Morin is declared innocent of the murder of Christine Jessop. In his immensely readable prose, he takes us along as the police and the scientists gather and analyse their evidence, as attorneys organize their cases, and as the various groups meet in court to seek out the truth.

Sourcebook in Forensic Serology, Immunology, and Biochemistry Amazon by Dr. Robert E. Gaensslen Paperback Published by Natl. Inst. of Justice/Ncjrs Publication date: December 1983 Brent's Note: I actually have this book. Well, what I have is more of a spiral bound photocopy version I got at UNH. But it is very thick and full of foundational information regard most of the standard related tests and lab procedures and how they are done and what they mean. It also has an excellent index.

Weight-of-Evidence for Forensic DNA Profiles Amazon by Dr. David J. Balding Hardcover Published by John Wiley & Sons Publication date: 2006 Review: "...this book should provide a good starting point for any reader..." (International Statistical Institute, January 2006) Review: " … one of the most gifted writers in forensic interpretation…an excellent contribution to our field." (Science & Justice Volume 45 no. 3) Description: 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.

Farley and Harrington, Forensic DNA Technology, (CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL:(1990)

U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, Genetic Witness: Forensic Uses of DNA Tests, (GPO, Washington, D.C.: 1990)