An Expert Witness: The Story of Forensic Science in the Courtroom Book Review and Summary
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Elena Volkova - 24 Aug, 2026 13:42
Author: Sue Black
Page Count: Unknown
Publication Date: Expected publication 2026 APL
A vague, reader-friendly book about forensic science is about to hit the shelves, and I’m still trying to figure out why I should care. An Expert Witness: The Story of Forensic Science in the Courtroom, the latest from Sue Black, promises to review the state of the science on a broad range of psychological issues commonly encountered in the forensic context. But what does that even mean? Are we talking about the latest in DNA analysis or the psychology of expert testimony? I’m not exactly holding my breath.
The synopsis is a laundry list of buzzwords – recovered memories, projective techniques, lie detection, child witnesses – with no clear thread to tie them together. It’s like Black took a look at the latest season of True Detective and thought, “You know what would be a great book? A dry, academic rundown of all the science-y stuff they glossed over.” And don’t even get me started on the promise to “steer clear of those that may be misleading or legally inadmissible.” Who’s the target audience here? Lawyers looking to brush up on their expert testimony skills? Students of forensic science? Or just the average true-crime junkie?
I’m reminded of The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson’s masterful take on the intersection of science and justice. Now that was a book that knew how to balance the technical with the thrilling. Black’s book, on the other hand, sounds like a slog. And yet… I can almost see the appeal. In an era where Making a Murderer and Serial have become cultural touchstones, it’s clear that the public is hungry for a deeper understanding of the forensic science behind the headlines.
But will An Expert Witness deliver? I have my doubts. The book’s focus on “real-world legal situations” and “guidelines for presenting scientific evidence accurately and effectively in courtroom testimony and written reports” sounds like a recipe for tedium. And what’s with the lack of a clear narrative thread? Are we supposed to care about the individual cases, or is this just a dry academic exercise?
I’m not holding my breath. In fact, I’m willing to bet that An Expert Witness will be a dry, plodding affair, more suited to the shelves of a law library than the nightstands of true-crime enthusiasts. But hey, I’ve been wrong before. Maybe Sue Black will surprise me with a page-turner that will make me rethink the entire genre.
The Verdict: Guilty of Boredom
I need to review the exhausting itinerary for my European book tour, but I’ll be keeping an eye on An Expert Witness when it drops. Maybe I’ll be surprised. But until then, I’m sticking with the likes of Gillian Flynn and Laura Lippman for my true-crime fix.
#truecrime #forensicscience #skepticalreader
