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14 - Prevention and Education

The Path towards Better Forensic Science Evidence

from Part IV - Expert Evidence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2022

By
Marina Gascón Abellán
Edited by
Jordi Ferrer Beltrán  and
Carmen Vázquez
Jordi Ferrer Beltrán
Affiliation:
Universitat de Girona
Carmen Vázquez
Affiliation:
Universitat de Girona
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Summary

Forensic scientists are influential players in the justice system. At least two reasons may account for the great confidence placed in forensics. On the one hand, most people (and judges) have a rather poor science education, which leads them to place disproportionate expectations on the analysis produced by forensic science labs. On the other hand, DNA profiling has also contributed decisively to the prestige of forensic science. Unfortunately, there is no reason for such strong confidence, and experience shows that forensic science errors are also possible.

Keywords

CSI effectMayfield Errorforensic sciencecognitive biasesexpert testimony
Type
Chapter
Information
Evidential Legal Reasoning
Crossing Civil Law and Common Law Traditions
 , pp. 296 - 322
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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