Truth machine : the contentious history of DNA fingerprinting

Sociology

Keywords

DNA profiling, forensics, science studies, Ethnomethodology

Research output: Book/Report/Proceedings › Book

Published

Standard

Truth machine : the contentious history of DNA fingerprinting. / Lynch, Michael; Cole, Simon; McNally, Ruth et al.
USA: Chicago University Press, 2008. 391 p.

Research output: Book/Report/Proceedings › Book

Author

Lynch, Michael ; Cole, Simon ; McNally, Ruth et al. / Truth machine : the contentious history of DNA fingerprinting. USA : Chicago University Press, 2008. 391 p.

Bibtex

@book{6f9c90044b1547098d2a35d71842913b,

title = "Truth machine : the contentious history of DNA fingerprinting",

abstract = "DNA profiling--commonly known as DNA fingerprinting--is often heralded as unassailable criminal evidence, a veritable {"}truth machine{"} that can overturn convictions based on eyewitness testimony, confessions, and other forms of forensic evidence. But DNA evidence is far from infallible. It is subject to the same possibilities for error--in sample collection, forensic analysis, and clerical record keeping--as any other aspect of criminal justice practice. {"}Truth Machine{"} traces the controversial history of DNA fingerprinting by looking at court cases in the United States and United Kingdom beginning in the mid-1980s, when the practice was invented, and continuing until the present. Using interviews, observations of courtroom trials and laboratory processes, and documentary reconstruction, the authors provide a nuanced, theoretically sophisticated, and original ethnographic account of DNA fingerprinting and its evolution. Ultimately, {"}Truth Machine {"}presents compelling evidence of the obstacles and opportunities at the intersection of science, technology, sociology, and law.",

keywords = "DNA profiling, forensics, science studies, Ethnomethodology",

author = "Michael Lynch and Simon Cole and Ruth McNally and Kathleen Jordan",

note = "Winner of the 2011 Award for Outstanding Publication in Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis, by the American Sociological Association",

year = "2008",

month = dec,

language = "English",

isbn = "9780226498065",

publisher = "Chicago University Press",

}

RIS

TY - BOOK

T1 - Truth machine : the contentious history of DNA fingerprinting

AU - Lynch, Michael

AU - Cole, Simon

AU - McNally, Ruth

AU - Jordan, Kathleen

N1 - Winner of the 2011 Award for Outstanding Publication in Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis, by the American Sociological Association

PY - 2008/12

Y1 - 2008/12

N2 - DNA profiling--commonly known as DNA fingerprinting--is often heralded as unassailable criminal evidence, a veritable "truth machine" that can overturn convictions based on eyewitness testimony, confessions, and other forms of forensic evidence. But DNA evidence is far from infallible. It is subject to the same possibilities for error--in sample collection, forensic analysis, and clerical record keeping--as any other aspect of criminal justice practice. "Truth Machine" traces the controversial history of DNA fingerprinting by looking at court cases in the United States and United Kingdom beginning in the mid-1980s, when the practice was invented, and continuing until the present. Using interviews, observations of courtroom trials and laboratory processes, and documentary reconstruction, the authors provide a nuanced, theoretically sophisticated, and original ethnographic account of DNA fingerprinting and its evolution. Ultimately, "Truth Machine "presents compelling evidence of the obstacles and opportunities at the intersection of science, technology, sociology, and law.

AB - DNA profiling--commonly known as DNA fingerprinting--is often heralded as unassailable criminal evidence, a veritable "truth machine" that can overturn convictions based on eyewitness testimony, confessions, and other forms of forensic evidence. But DNA evidence is far from infallible. It is subject to the same possibilities for error--in sample collection, forensic analysis, and clerical record keeping--as any other aspect of criminal justice practice. "Truth Machine" traces the controversial history of DNA fingerprinting by looking at court cases in the United States and United Kingdom beginning in the mid-1980s, when the practice was invented, and continuing until the present. Using interviews, observations of courtroom trials and laboratory processes, and documentary reconstruction, the authors provide a nuanced, theoretically sophisticated, and original ethnographic account of DNA fingerprinting and its evolution. Ultimately, "Truth Machine "presents compelling evidence of the obstacles and opportunities at the intersection of science, technology, sociology, and law.

KW - DNA profiling

KW - forensics

KW - science studies

KW - Ethnomethodology

M3 - Book

SN - 9780226498065

BT - Truth machine : the contentious history of DNA fingerprinting

PB - Chicago University Press

CY - USA

ER -

Research

Keywords