Blog Article
Analysing the weight of forensic language used in court, in order to ensure the most accurate use of forensic evidence.
Researchers
- Dr Sarah Cooper
- Dr Paraic Scanlon
Research background
In the US, unreliable forensic science evidence is a known cause of wrongful conviction. Dr Cooper鈥檚 research examining US court responses to scientific uncertainty, identified that some courts have addressed alleged uncertainty in firearms identification evidence by restricting expert testimony, including by instructing experts to not testify in absolute terms, such as 鈥渢here is an exact match,鈥� but rather in allegedly more diluted terms, such as a match can be made 鈥渕ore likely than not鈥� and 鈥渢o a reasonable degree of certainty.鈥� Jurors, who generally lack scientific expertise, must determine the weight of such evidence in criminal trials, yet there is limited knowledge about how they interpret specific expert phrases. Since 2016, Dr Cooper and Dr Scanlon have been using their respective expertise in law and psychology to design and co-ordinate mock juror studies that investigate this gap in knowledge.
Research aims聽
This research generally to investigate the levels of certainty jurors attach to common expert phrases, with a view to identifying ways to support agents in the legal process to make the most accurate use of forensic science evidence.
Research methods
The research is typically carried out using an online questionnaire, with participants asked to rank their level of certainty of various expert statements, on a scale of zero to one hundred. Participants are generally recruited via academic, professional, and community links across the US, and are screened against the eligibility criteria to sit on a federal jury. The data collected is statistically analysed.
搁别蝉耻濒迟蝉听
Dr Cooper and Dr. Scanlon have their findings and disseminated their research at practitioner conferences in the US and at the European Association of Psychology and Law annual conference. The study series has been supported by multiple Faculty Small Development Grants, funding numerous students to collaborate with the academic team.