Ramsey County Law Library Blog

John M. Butler

The Law Librarian was taken aback by last spring’s case of the Missouri man who was wrongfully convicted of rape in 1984 and couldn’t get released until this year for want of a DNA test. Beyond the sad story of the court worker who lost her job for helping the sister of this man obtain helpful documents needed to draft the successful motion for the DNA test that ultimately freed him, is the fundamental reality of how key DNA evidence is to modern law, not the least of which include determination of guilt and innocence. Suffice it to say that most legal professionals are not scientists, and thus need helpful information from people who are. To meet this end comes a leading expert on DNA, John M. Butler of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He is the author of three books which explain DNA information and make the necessary connections to legal practicalities that legal professionals need. All three are available for check-out at the Law Library.

• Forensic DNA Typing (2d ed. 2005) – Now in its second edition, Butler charts the history and development of DNA in criminal forensics with a text that caters to all audiences. This book examines the science of current forensic DNA typing methods by focusing on the biology, technology, and genetic interpretation of short tandem repeat (STR) markers, which encompass the most common forensic DNA analysis methods used today. Ten new chapters have been added to accommodate the explosion of new information since the turn of the century.
• Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing (2009) – This book presents the step-by-step DNA analysis process beginning with collection of evidence at a crime scene to the statistical interpretation of the results. Also included are brief discussions of such news worthy topics as victim identification from the 9/11 attacks, the identification of the remains of the Romanovs, and the O.J. Simpson case. New applications, such as genetic genealogy and tracing domestic pet hairs to perpetrators, are also detailed. Its clarity and extensive list of online resources and study aids makes the subject accessible to lawyers who need enough cursory information to understand and speak to jury, law enforcement, crime scene investigators, legal professionals and government/legal policy makers.
• Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing: Methodology ( 2011) –  This book contains up-to-date coverage of essential topics in this important field and citation to articles and internet resources. The book builds upon the previous two editions of  Butler’s internationally acclaimed Forensic DNA Typing textbook. This book provides the most detailed information written to-date on DNA databases, low-level DNA, validation, and numerous other topics including a new chapter on legal aspects of DNA testing to prepare scientists for expert witness testimony. Over half of the content is new compared to previous editions.

DNA technology has changed (and continues to change) many modern plot lines, considering its role in the President Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal, identification of the remains in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and revelation that Thomas Jefferson fathered a child by one of his slaves. Thanks to DNA, you will never see a great old movie like this one get rehashed for modern audiences.