An excellent source on forensics&#x27; scientiic basis is the &quot;Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence: Third Edition&quot;<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nap.edu&#x2F;catalog.php?record_id=13163" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nap.edu&#x2F;catalog.php?record_id=13163</a><p>It was written by the National Academies as a guide for federal judges (i.e., for non-scientists), so it&#x27;s based on  deep scientific expertise and yet is pretty readable. Also, the first section on how science really works in practice, relative to theories of scientific method, is unique (AFAIK) and exceptional.<p>EDIT: If there&#x27;s not a free version available at that link, I&#x27;m pretty sure you can find one from a credible source elsewhere, I think from one of the other organizations involved. However, consider paying and supporting the National Academies&#x27; work.