The FBI's vaunted forensic laboratory, a cornerstone of its crime-fighting image since the 1930s, was revealed to be riddled with malpractice in 1997, a scandal that proved to be far more extensive than initially reported. Authors John Kelly and Phillip Wearne, drawing on extensive FBI documentation and interviews, including with whistleblower Frederic Whitehurst, expose how the lab's compromised forensic work may have impacted some of the most significant cases of the late 20th century. The book details instances of misleading testimony, fabricated evidence, flawed science, and doctored reports in cases such as the Oklahoma City bombing, the Unabomber investigation, the O.J. Simpson trial, and the World Trade Center explosion, suggesting hundreds of criminal cases might require re-examination.

The book presents a damning indictment of the FBI's forensic practices, highlighting significant instances of malpractice and flawed science that may have compromised major criminal cases. The authors meticulously detail their findings, drawing on extensive documentation and interviews to support their claims of widespread issues within the FBI lab. The work serves as a critical examination of a powerful institution's internal failings and their potential impact on the justice system. The revelations suggest a need for thorough review of past convictions and a reevaluation of forensic evidence handling.