Weight
By addebook • Oct 1st, 2008 • Category: Medicine
Weight-of-Evidence for Forensic DNA Profiles
Weight-of-Evidence for Forensic DNA Profiles
By David J. Balding
Publisher: Wiley
Number Of Pages: 198
Publication Date: 2005-03-18
ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0470867647
ISBN-13 / EAN: 9780470867648
Binding: Hardcover
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.
Summary: Weight of evidence – an excellent starting point
Rating: 4
I work in the forensic DNA field and found this book an excellent starting point for understanding some of the difficult concepts that arise when dealing with DNA. It gives clear and simple examples which demonstrate important theories and builds up to quite complex statistical theories and derivations. A neat feature about this book is the marked sections, which require some assumed knowledge to understand, but do not detrimentally impact on the rest of the book if they are skipped (or not fully understood). Exercises at the end of each section allows you to practise what you have just learnt. And a section at the end, which talks about court cases that have dealt with DNA issues, is a nice end
I think that this book would have sections applicable to a wide variety of people (Forensic biologists/statisticians, lawyers or just interested poeple).
Some of the heavier sections will require some reading from other sources before they are understood, but this is the case of many texts, and this book gives good references for you to start that extra reading.
To sum up, for a difficult area this book gives a clear and simple explanations and is an enjoyable read. Extra reading will be required in some areas, however i highly reccomend it to anyone interested in the issues of weighting DNA evidence.
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