Forensic Pathology
2
Book Reviews of those who just want to pursue their science and gain insight into the fields of other scientists I cannot (with the exception of a small number of chapters as mentioned above) recommend this book. John Galloway Effective Expert Witnessing Effective Expert Witnessing, Fourth Edition Jack V Matson CRC Press, 2004 ISBN 084931 301 5 (hb; £56.99) This is a relatively brief (140 pages including Bibliography and Index) but comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the role of expert witnesses in the United States. Throughout, footnotes guide the reader to books, journal articles, and other sources of additional information. The expertise of the senior author, Jack V Matson, PhD, "is in the field of chemical emissions, water and waste water treatment, air pollution, hazardous waste, and standard of care". He has been deposed in over 100 cases and given testimony in 15 trials. His co-authors, Daou and Soper, (both also PhDs) seem to be management and human performance specialists with no listed depositional or trial experience. Furthermore, none of the authors are lawyers. In spite of their backgrounds, or perhaps because of it, this is an excellent introduction to the subject. Another surprise (perhaps an annoyance as well) is that there are only two very brief mentions of forensics and forensic scientists. Nevertheless, this is still a very useful book for forensic specialists who serve, or might serve, as expert witnesses. The information presented on how the Frye Test (1923) and now Daubert v Merrell Dow (1993), General Electric v Joiner (1997) and Carmichael v Kumho (1998) have affected the legal environ- ment is basic to all expert witnessing and is succinctly presented, together with references to interpretations by other commentators. The litigation process is reviewed from preparing for trial on through depositions and the courtroom experience itself, giving nuts-and-bolts practical guidance to the novice (or not so novice) expert witness. An innovative accompanying hour-long CD video provides excerpts from actual depositions and trials, amplifying the information given in the text. The final one third of the book is devoted to the "art" ("maxi- mizing your effectiveness") and the "business" aspects of expert witnessing. The latter subject may perhaps be of less interest to forensic experts, but perhaps not. Two additional important topics are also discussed in Section 111: ethics and witness liability. Although based on US procedures, this book should be of uni- versal interest, giving practical, common sense advice and infor- mation useful to the expert witness venturing into the unfamiliar, and at times seemingly hostile, territory of the courtroom. As high points, the authors preface sections with marvellous quo- tations such as: " An expert is an individual who is not present when the 'incident' occurred, but for a healthy fee will happily imagine what it was like and how it happened - Justin P Murphy." Frank P Saul Julie Mather Saul Forensic Patholonv Forensic Pathology Reviews: v. 3 Michael Tsokos, ed Humana Press, Totowa, New Jersey, 2005 ISBN 15882941 61 (hb; £1 25) The aim of this series as expressed by the editor Michael Tsokos is to provide 'a practical guide to daily forensic pathological and medico-legal routine' as well as an 'inspiration for future re- search projects'. I must confess, despite being a practising foren- sic pathologist, to not having read the first two volumes in his series. The truly international mix of authors is to be commended. As with any multi author text the approach and writing style of the chapters is, however, variable and the reader will find some more appealing than others dependent on ones own preferences. There is also a wide diversity of subject matter such that not all chapters will be particularly pertinent to an individual's daily work. That said they are grouped together in themes in a coherent and accessible manner that makes it easy to read and I would expect that any practising forensic pathologist will find many of the chapters helpful and the others of interest. Further this eclectic mix means that the topics are often not covered together in standard textbooks and certainly not at this level of detail. This volume ranges from frequently encountered issues such as drowning and pulmonary thromboembolism to HIV infection of the central nervous position and deaths in head down position. TWO chapters on natural causes address the particular problems associated with diagnosis of right and left ventricular arrhythmo- genic dysplasias and the post mortem diagnosis of anaphylaxis. Both were quite short but provided a succinct and clear discussion of the issues and a very useful summary with practical recom- mendations. Perhaps the most impressive element of this book is the extremely comprehensive reference list, some chapters having 2-300 - a valuable resource for any pathologist who has a particular prob- lem or just wishes to have ready access to information regarding the literature available. An aim of the author is to provide 'insight into new diagnostic techniques.. .at a high level of evidential Page 56 science&justice Volume 46 No. 1 (2006) 56 - 57
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Transcript of Forensic Pathology
Book Reviews
of those who just want to pursue their science and gain insight into the fields of other scientists I cannot (with the exception of a small number of chapters as mentioned above) recommend this book.
John Galloway
Effective Expert Witnessing
Effective Expert Witnessing, Fourth Edition
Jack V Matson CRC Press, 2004 ISBN 084931 301 5 (hb; £56.99)
This is a relatively brief (140 pages including Bibliography and Index) but comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the role of expert witnesses in the United States. Throughout, footnotes guide the reader to books, journal articles, and other sources of additional information.
The expertise of the senior author, Jack V Matson, PhD, "is in the field of chemical emissions, water and waste water treatment, air pollution, hazardous waste, and standard of care". He has been deposed in over 100 cases and given testimony in 15 trials. His co-authors, Daou and Soper, (both also PhDs) seem to be management and human performance specialists with no listed depositional or trial experience.
Furthermore, none of the authors are lawyers.
In spite of their backgrounds, or perhaps because of it, this is an excellent introduction to the subject.
Another surprise (perhaps an annoyance as well) is that there are only two very brief mentions of forensics and forensic scientists. Nevertheless, this is still a very useful book for forensic specialists who serve, or might serve, as expert witnesses.
The information presented on how the Frye Test (1923) and now Daubert v Merrell Dow (1993), General Electric v Joiner (1997) and Carmichael v Kumho (1998) have affected the legal environ- ment is basic to all expert witnessing and is succinctly presented, together with references to interpretations by other commentators.
The litigation process is reviewed from preparing for trial on through depositions and the courtroom experience itself, giving nuts-and-bolts practical guidance to the novice (or not so novice) expert witness. An innovative accompanying hour-long CD video provides excerpts from actual depositions and trials, amplifying the information given in the text.
The final one third of the book is devoted to the "art" ("maxi- mizing your effectiveness") and the "business" aspects of expert witnessing. The latter subject may perhaps be of less interest to forensic experts, but perhaps not. Two additional important topics are also discussed in Section 111: ethics and witness liability.
Although based on US procedures, this book should be of uni- versal interest, giving practical, common sense advice and infor- mation useful to the expert witness venturing into the unfamiliar, and at times seemingly hostile, territory of the courtroom.
As high points, the authors preface sections with marvellous quo- tations such as: " An expert is an individual who is not present when the 'incident' occurred, but for a healthy fee will happily imagine what it was like and how it happened - Justin P Murphy."
Frank P Saul Julie Mather Saul
Forensic Patholonv
Forensic Pathology Reviews: v. 3
Michael Tsokos, ed Humana Press, Totowa, New Jersey, 2005 ISBN 15882941 61 (hb; £1 25)
The aim of this series as expressed by the editor Michael Tsokos is to provide 'a practical guide to daily forensic pathological and medico-legal routine' as well as an 'inspiration for future re- search projects'. I must confess, despite being a practising foren- sic pathologist, to not having read the first two volumes in his series.
The truly international mix of authors is to be commended. As with any multi author text the approach and writing style of the chapters is, however, variable and the reader will find some more appealing than others dependent on ones own preferences. There is also a wide diversity of subject matter such that not all chapters will be particularly pertinent to an individual's daily work. That said they are grouped together in themes in a coherent and accessible manner that makes it easy to read and I would expect that any practising forensic pathologist will find many of the chapters helpful and the others of interest. Further this eclectic mix means that the topics are often not covered together in standard textbooks and certainly not at this level of detail.
This volume ranges from frequently encountered issues such as drowning and pulmonary thromboembolism to HIV infection of the central nervous position and deaths in head down position. TWO chapters on natural causes address the particular problems associated with diagnosis of right and left ventricular arrhythmo- genic dysplasias and the post mortem diagnosis of anaphylaxis. Both were quite short but provided a succinct and clear discussion of the issues and a very useful summary with practical recom- mendations.
Perhaps the most impressive element of this book is the extremely comprehensive reference list, some chapters having 2-300 - a valuable resource for any pathologist who has a particular prob- lem or just wishes to have ready access to information regarding the literature available. An aim of the author is to provide 'insight into new diagnostic techniques.. .at a high level of evidential
Page 56 science&justice Volume 46 No. 1 (2006) 56 - 57
Book Reviews
proof'. This is something we must all be striving for and in my opinion this text makes an excellent contribution to the field.
The frequency and short time interval between the publications of the three volumes is also remarkable. It is to be hoped that the editor can continue to provide such comprehensive and useful reviews in subsequent books.
In conclusion, assuming the other volumes are of a similar quality, I would recommend that this series should be a 'standard' text for the bookshelves of not only any practising forensic pathologist but also any pathologist doing autopsy work. I must now buy them for my own!
Marjorie Black
Lower Extremity Arterial Disease
Lower Extremity Arterial Disease
Caralis & Bakris (Eds.) Publisher: Humana Press, 2005 ISBN: 1588295540 (hb; £1 25)
This is not a good book. It comprises a collection of re- search articles, dealing mostly with basic science aspects and research areas underlying atherosclerosis as it affects the lower limb.
It omits any discussion of anatomical aspects of lower limb vascu- lar occlusion; other pathologies apart from atherosclerosis; post mortem appearances; decision pathways relating to appropriate treatment. There are strong chapters, notably by Labropoulos on investigation in the vascular laboratory, Kokkinos on exercise therapy in claudication and Bellg on smoking cessation, all of which will be of interest to practising clinicians. Basic science chapters are selective, superficial and lack great insight, unity, or educational simplification.
It is difficult to see who would gain most from this book. The science is too superficial for full time researchers in the field, but the articles are well referenced. Practising clinicians may benefit from some articles, but should not expect an authorative or comprehensive treatment of the science. Researchers seeking clinical background would be advised to look elsewhere. I do not see an audience from readers of Science & Justice.
Philip Chan
science&justice Volume 46 NO. 1 (2006) 57 - 57 Page 57
