Forensic Metrology [electronic resource] : An Introduction to the Fundamentals of Metrology for Judges, Lawyers and Forensic Scientists / by Alessandro Ferrero, Veronica Scotti.

1 Introduction -- 2 A short historical survey on forensic sciences -- 3 The role of science and technical experts in courts -- 4 Is scientific evidence always correct beyond any reasonable doubt? -- 5 Metrology and its principles -- 6 Decisions in the presence of uncertainty -- 7 Case studies -- References.

This book offers up-to-date information and guidance on the application of metrology in legal proceedings, clarifying the limits of validity of scientific evidence and presenting an illuminating series of case studies in which measurement uncertainty has played an important role. The fundamental concepts of metrology are discussed, and it is explained how metrology is capable of quantifying the reliability of measurement results and thereby contributing to appropriate decision making. With the aid of the presented case studies, this book will assist readers in understanding how legal decisions should be made in the presence of uncertainty. Areas covered in those studies include breath alcohol concentration analysis, and DNA profiling. Nowadays, decisions in most legal cases are based on evidence obtained through scientific analysis involving the acquisition of accurate measurements. Against this background, Forensic Metrology will be of value for lawyers and judges in both civil and common law countries, as well as engineers and other scientists with an interest in the subject.