Due Process: Understanding the U.S. Criminal Justice System—Evidence and Forensics

Gr 9 Up—This volume in a series intended to introduce the concepts behind the criminal justice system and the constitutional guarantees given to both the accused and the victim of a crime examines the process by which evidence is gathered and maintained. Primary to this undertaking are the forensic sciences involved in deciphering the clues found at every crime scene. Contrary to what is shown on popular TV shows, there is a slow and often tedious methodology behind each investigative procedure. The question of what constitutes evidence is discussed along with the laws governing the acceptability of such evidence in a court procedure. Several forensics experts offer insight into their particular field, such as fingerprinting, blood splatter, and DNA. The latter is discussed at length as the most recent tool designed to help the legal system bring about justice. Crime scene investigators are shown gathering a variety of types of evidence, but it is not made clear what crime has been committed. One ostensible criminal is followed through his booking and trial, but again the crime he's accused of committing is never explained. Among the investigators, attorneys, judges, and witnesses, there is only one minority represented. The experts present interesting information, but their delivery is bland and may not hold the interest of viewers.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly Trinity Pawling School Library, NY