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Ethics in Forensic
Science:
Professional Standards for the Practice of Criminalistics
Peter D.
Barnett
CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida
ISBN 0-8493-0860-7
Reviewed
by:
Melissa Anne
Smrz
Unit Chief
DNA Analysis 2 Unit
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, DC
With the advancement
of forensic science, both in general and within specific disciplines
such as forensic DNA analysis, the role of the criminalist and forensic
scientist is growing increasingly more important and is subject
to greater public scrutiny. Whereas forensic scientists have long
faced ethical challenges, these scientists must now consider ethical
issues routinely. Peter D. Barnett, in his book Ethics in Forensic
Science: Professional Standards for the Practice of Criminalistics,
examines existing ethics codes in criminalistics and forensic science
and defines the need for such codes. He provides examples of situations
not uncommon to forensic scientists that merit examination of ethical
practices. He also discusses developing a code of ethics for forensic
science organizations that do not yet have one or are struggling
to establish one. He points out the dilemmas organizations have
faced in enforcing ethics codes among the membership.
Ethics in
Forensic Science: Professional Standards for the Practice of Criminalistics
is divided into two sections. In Section One, the author examines
existing ethics codes. For each code cited, he emphasizes its strengths,
weaknesses, and differences. The author also discusses the need
for and importance of professional ethics codes. He cites examples
of situations in which rules, organizational mandates, and competency
guidelines are at present inadequate. He discusses the differences
between legal and scientific principles and how these differences
can "muddy" obligations the forensic scientist might have.
This section then delves into the application of various codes of
ethics and how they impact the forensic scientist on a daily basis.
It covers such topics as the interaction among the forensic scientist,
investigators, and attorneys, both prosecuting and defense. It also
covers the interaction between the forensic scientist and laboratory
colleagues.
In Section Two,
the author puts the codes and considerations discussed in Section
One into practice by citing hypothetical, yet specific, case scenarios
that forensic scientists could face in their daily practice. He
outlines examples of case situations involving professional practices
and technical competence, suggests possible actions, and then discusses
relevant ethics (or the lack thereof) to which the case applies.
Section Two of Ethics in Forensic Science: Professional Standards
for the Practice of Criminalistics would be excellent in a training
setting as a source for discussion topics, particularly for those
scientists new to the field.
One of the strengths
of the book is its commentary regarding ethical issues in different
forensic disciplines. The issues and cases allow forensic scientists
to become more aware of the work done outside of their area of expertise,
knowledge that could go far in avoiding some of the ethical problems
mentioned throughout the book. However, whereas the topics discussed
are relevant to the practicing forensic scientist, the book might
leave a layman with the impression that because there are so few
established formal ethics codes, ethics are not generally considered
important by criminalists or forensic scientists. The author fails
to emphasize the growth of scientific and technical working groups
in the forensic science disciplines and their work in establishing
training, validation, and interpretation standards. The author also
fails to discuss the legal standards that now apply to forensic
DNA testing laboratories. These working groups and legal standards
indicate that the forensic science profession is interested in good
scientific practices. This would then minimize the author's issue
with competence. At the same time, it would assure the author and
the general public that professionals were becoming cognizant of
the various ethical dilemmas that are part of the legal-scientific
world and are being trained to cope with them.
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