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An Expert Witness: Forensic Science on Trial
Win a free print copy of this book!
14 days and 16:29:03
25 copies available
U.S. only
Pioneering forensic scientist, anatomist and anthropologist, Professor Dame Sue Black takes the reader into our criminal courts’ witness box from the perspective of an expert witness, the forensic scientist, explaining exactly what that job is, what it demands, how the role evolved, and its likely future.
The expert witness sits at the crux of the relationship between law enforcement, science and the legal system. When that relationship works well, it makes for compelling fiction, television and movies. When it works less well, it makes for compelling and explosive news headlines.
In An Expert Witness, Sue Black puts the relationship between these different institutions, and how they affect and are affected by the expert witness, under the microscope. Using shocking landmark cases that expose both the strengths and weaknesses of the interconnection between disciplines - she In which cases did we get it right? In which did we get it wrong? And if we had done it differently, might the pendulum of justice have swung another way?
Incisive and compelling, following the impact of advances in technology to changes in funding and the effect of our gladiatorial system, Sue Black tracks the journey of this most intriguing of sciences through to its inevitable conclusion - and the toll it may take not only on experts but ultimately how justice plays out.
The expert witness sits at the crux of the relationship between law enforcement, science and the legal system. When that relationship works well, it makes for compelling fiction, television and movies. When it works less well, it makes for compelling and explosive news headlines.
In An Expert Witness, Sue Black puts the relationship between these different institutions, and how they affect and are affected by the expert witness, under the microscope. Using shocking landmark cases that expose both the strengths and weaknesses of the interconnection between disciplines - she In which cases did we get it right? In which did we get it wrong? And if we had done it differently, might the pendulum of justice have swung another way?
Incisive and compelling, following the impact of advances in technology to changes in funding and the effect of our gladiatorial system, Sue Black tracks the journey of this most intriguing of sciences through to its inevitable conclusion - and the toll it may take not only on experts but ultimately how justice plays out.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2026
About the author
Sue Black
22 books560 followersProfessor Dame Sue Black is one of the world's leading anatomists and forensic anthropologists. She is also the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Engagement at Lancaster University. She was the lead anthropologist for the British Forensic Team's work in the war crimes investigations in Kosovo and one of the first forensic scientists to travel to Thailand following the Indian Ocean tsunami to provide assistance in identifying the dead. Sue is a familiar face in the media, where documentaries have been filmed about her work, and she led the highly successful BBC 2 series History Cold Case.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 25, 2026
Simply excellent! Everything you want to know about the what, the why and the how of forensic evidence can be found in the entertaining and well researched book by a renowned Scottish forensic scientist, Sue Black.
I confess I bought this book after finishing watching twenty-nine seasons of Silent Witness on BritBox. Love that show and its amazing characters. While my favorite character, Nikki Alexander, is a pathologist and the author is an anatomist and forensic anthropologist - you learn so much by reading books - they both want truth to prevail.
Black’s book rigorously follows a pattern - explaining the United Kingdom’s legal system and defining “expert” testimony to explaining the evolution of ways certain scientific - and pseudoscientific - techniques that advanced forensics. In explaining these, Black includes cases from the UK, US and Europe. These are especially interesting and show, for example, how blood spatter or finger prints evolved. I especially found the case where a young man in defending himself over a picture of his male genitalia not being his (he had to have pictures of his “at attention” - I love the British phrases - which proved he was innocent). Other cases like the Crippen and Dreyfus (document forgery) were more prominent in their day.
My one criticism was not giving credit for the discovery of the “double helix” (DNA) with Rosalind Franklin who saw it first before Crick and Watson. But in fairness on everything else this author was precise, clear and unfathomably truthful in her history, observations and concerns for the future of forensic science.
This is book for lovers of true crime or crime fiction. It takes you behind the scenes of how crimes can be solved. Reading this book with make a reader appreciate their crime book reads better.
I confess I bought this book after finishing watching twenty-nine seasons of Silent Witness on BritBox. Love that show and its amazing characters. While my favorite character, Nikki Alexander, is a pathologist and the author is an anatomist and forensic anthropologist - you learn so much by reading books - they both want truth to prevail.
Black’s book rigorously follows a pattern - explaining the United Kingdom’s legal system and defining “expert” testimony to explaining the evolution of ways certain scientific - and pseudoscientific - techniques that advanced forensics. In explaining these, Black includes cases from the UK, US and Europe. These are especially interesting and show, for example, how blood spatter or finger prints evolved. I especially found the case where a young man in defending himself over a picture of his male genitalia not being his (he had to have pictures of his “at attention” - I love the British phrases - which proved he was innocent). Other cases like the Crippen and Dreyfus (document forgery) were more prominent in their day.
My one criticism was not giving credit for the discovery of the “double helix” (DNA) with Rosalind Franklin who saw it first before Crick and Watson. But in fairness on everything else this author was precise, clear and unfathomably truthful in her history, observations and concerns for the future of forensic science.
This is book for lovers of true crime or crime fiction. It takes you behind the scenes of how crimes can be solved. Reading this book with make a reader appreciate their crime book reads better.
July 11, 2026
In the year ending September 2025, police in England and Wales recorded more than two million serious crimes. Most of these cases required some form of forensic involvement, whether from crime scene officers, forensic scientists, or other specialist experts, each contributing to the investigation from the crime scene to the courtroom.
In An Expert Witness: Forensic Science on Trial, Dame Sue Black, an internationally renowned forensic anthropologist with more than thirty-five years of experience giving expert evidence in UK and international criminal courts, explores the evolution of the forensic expert witness and their vital role within the justice system.
A forensic expert witness is a specialist who applies scientific expertise to legal investigations, analysing evidence and providing objective, evidence-based opinions for the courts. Their work spans several disciplines including forensic pathology, anthropology, toxicology, and digital forensics.
Drawing on fascinating historical and contemporary cases, Black examines both the strengths and limitations of forensic science and those who practise it. She explains the distinction between investigative evidence and probative evidence, showing how forensic science can eliminate suspects without necessarily identifying the offender. She also discusses the dangers of pseudoscience or “junk” science, and considers the opportunities and challenges that emerging technologies, including AI, may present for the future of the discipline.
Given the significant influence expert testimony can have on the outcome of a trial, forensic scientists must provide contextual, reasoned, and scientifically defensible interpretations of the evidence. Black reflects candidly on her own experiences in the witness box, describing the stress and frustration of enduring rigorous cross-examination that can challenge not only an expert’s qualifications and methodology, but also their personal credibility.
Taking a tone somewhere between a university lecture and an impassioned conversation, An Expert Witness is an interesting and thought-provoking read for anyone curious about forensic science and the law. I also think it would be a valuable resource for students entering the field, such as my daughter, who is currently completing her Master’s in forensic science.
One of the key conclusions I drew from An Expert Witness is that while forensic science is an invaluable tool in both criminal and civil investigations, no one should ever be convicted, or exonerated, on the basis of a single piece of scientific evidence. As Black demonstrates throughout the book, the use of forensic science in the courtroom is at its most powerful when it forms part of a broader body of evidence, interpreted with rigour, integrity, and appropriate caution.
In An Expert Witness: Forensic Science on Trial, Dame Sue Black, an internationally renowned forensic anthropologist with more than thirty-five years of experience giving expert evidence in UK and international criminal courts, explores the evolution of the forensic expert witness and their vital role within the justice system.
A forensic expert witness is a specialist who applies scientific expertise to legal investigations, analysing evidence and providing objective, evidence-based opinions for the courts. Their work spans several disciplines including forensic pathology, anthropology, toxicology, and digital forensics.
Drawing on fascinating historical and contemporary cases, Black examines both the strengths and limitations of forensic science and those who practise it. She explains the distinction between investigative evidence and probative evidence, showing how forensic science can eliminate suspects without necessarily identifying the offender. She also discusses the dangers of pseudoscience or “junk” science, and considers the opportunities and challenges that emerging technologies, including AI, may present for the future of the discipline.
Given the significant influence expert testimony can have on the outcome of a trial, forensic scientists must provide contextual, reasoned, and scientifically defensible interpretations of the evidence. Black reflects candidly on her own experiences in the witness box, describing the stress and frustration of enduring rigorous cross-examination that can challenge not only an expert’s qualifications and methodology, but also their personal credibility.
Taking a tone somewhere between a university lecture and an impassioned conversation, An Expert Witness is an interesting and thought-provoking read for anyone curious about forensic science and the law. I also think it would be a valuable resource for students entering the field, such as my daughter, who is currently completing her Master’s in forensic science.
One of the key conclusions I drew from An Expert Witness is that while forensic science is an invaluable tool in both criminal and civil investigations, no one should ever be convicted, or exonerated, on the basis of a single piece of scientific evidence. As Black demonstrates throughout the book, the use of forensic science in the courtroom is at its most powerful when it forms part of a broader body of evidence, interpreted with rigour, integrity, and appropriate caution.
July 17, 2026
I don’t know what it was about this latest book from Lady Sue Black that didn’t captivate me, but unlike her previous books, I found it a little boring if I’m honest.
I’ve had it on my TBR ever since the release date was announced, excited to download it the moment I could, because I am so fascinated with this incredible woman and her phenomenal work In the field of forensic anthropology.
However, I felt the emphasis was lost on facts about law, court cases, rules and regulations - when I’m sure the many more life experiences she could have shared with us would have been better received.
As a Welsh woman, the section about the April Jones case was a revelation and very interesting, but the rest of the book was just lacking something for me.
I still think this lady is an incredibly intelligent and inspiring woman, and she writes extremely well.
I look forward to more from her in the future, but just hope it’s grittier.
I’ve had it on my TBR ever since the release date was announced, excited to download it the moment I could, because I am so fascinated with this incredible woman and her phenomenal work In the field of forensic anthropology.
However, I felt the emphasis was lost on facts about law, court cases, rules and regulations - when I’m sure the many more life experiences she could have shared with us would have been better received.
As a Welsh woman, the section about the April Jones case was a revelation and very interesting, but the rest of the book was just lacking something for me.
I still think this lady is an incredibly intelligent and inspiring woman, and she writes extremely well.
I look forward to more from her in the future, but just hope it’s grittier.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2026
This book is about the work of expert witnesses in and out of court. Sue Black makes the most dry or technical details accessible to the average reader. A mixture of technical details and historical cases makes this book a fascinating read for anyone interested in forensics, the workings of court cases, or just any reader with an enquiring mind.
July 22, 2026
A thorough view on the topic while being informative and very readable. Sue Black remains one of the best describers of complex activities and subjects that I know - which I guess it was made her a paramount expert witness. Just sorry that I have now read all three of her excellent books on the topic of forensics.
July 21, 2026
Wonderful read, just like Sue’s other books. She takes serious and grizzly topics but approaches them gently and with such warmth. I was breaking my heart on one page, and then rooting for her and her team on the next.
July 27, 2026
Absolutely incredible. Loved it!!
August 3, 2026
As an expert witness myself, albeit in a different field, this is a fascinating, realistic and human account of the work with lots of history as well. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews