The field of forensic neuropathology covers such controversial topics as the effects of repeated brain trauma in football players and how babies probably cannot die from being shaken. Jan Leestma is one of the most respected voices in this area. A timely update to his classic reference, Forensic Neuropathology: Third Edition presents an encyclopedic exposition of neuropathological conditions that may have forensic import.

Reflecting the latest research, this edition includes expanded sections on multiple trauma, one punch/one hit arterial injuries, and the physiology of respiratory control. It presents new perspectives and rules regarding expert testimony and evidence admissibility occasioned by Daubert and related Supreme Court cases. The book explores how these rulings affect forensic pathologists, neuropathologists, and other potential experts as well as how they interact with the legal system.

Several chapters examine the mechanisms and pathophysiology of neuropathological conditions and discuss the biomechanical basis for neurological injury. Where possible, aging and dating methodology is included for various processes. More than 325 updated full-color illustrations complement the text along with diagrams, tables, and figures that illustrate the textual material and can be useful as exhibits in court. An extensive bibliography provides background information and facilitates further research.

Praise for the previous edition:

This new edition of the publication, which has served as a major reference source to the forensic community for over two decades, becomes available to the readers contemporaneously with several other high quality publications from the field, and it is largely assumed that such a treatise is to reflect previously established teaching concepts with inevitable apodictic flavor. Jan Leestma simply proves the opposite through this genuine effort of complete rewriting of the original text and realigns it with decades of personal experience from his busy practice as a consulting neuropathologist. The endeavor is surely re-enforced by the highly acclaimed contributors.
―Ljubisa J. Dragovic, M.D., Chief Medical Examiner, Oakland County, Pontiac, Michigan, in Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 55, No. 1

… the chapters that deal with head trauma and cerebrovascular disease were particularly well written and relevant to my own practice. … I found the book very useful and would recommend it to pathologists, coroners, as well as to clinicians called to give expert opinions in both civil and criminal courts.

―Paul V. Marks, Consultant Neurosurgeon, The General Infirmary at Leeds, UK

I would imagine that this book is a good neuropathology atlas too. I spent lot of time looking at the illustrative pictures, and gained much simply by looking at them. In my opinion, this book should be very useful to forensic pathologists, forensic neuropathologists, clinicians, medical examiners and law enforcement officers.

―Anil Aggrawal’s Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

… an authoritative and comprehensive text which covers the relevant neuropathology in considerable detail. … the broad principles will stand anyone who finds themselves acting as an expert witness in good stead. …There is a consistency in style, which is sometimes lacking from multi-author texts.
―Mark Walker, Wiley Online Library