Performance Claims in Forensic Science Expert Opinion Evidence
Dublin Core
Title
Performance Claims in Forensic Science Expert Opinion Evidence
Description
In order for fact-finders to rationally evaluate the probative value of forensic pattern-matching evidence, information about the accuracy and reliability of examiners’ opinions is necessary. Empirical tests of ability and performance, however, must first begin with a claim about what that ability and performance might be. In this article, we attempt to identify performance claims made by forensic pattern-matching disciplines by surveying professional literature published by representative discipline organisations in fingerprints, footwear and tyres, firearms and toolmarks, and handwriting and documents. Amongst these disciplines we did not find performance claims that are readily amenable to empirical testing. To spur progress, we suggest a basic framework to guide forensic disciplines toward formulating empirical claims that lend themselves to scientific testing: stipulate (1) the task you can perform, (2) the necessary conditions of performance, and (3) the standard of performance you can achieve. Once empirical claims are made, empirical tests can be designed and conducted that will help to fortify the scientific evidence base for forensic pattern-matching techniques.
Creator
Smith, Chloe
Thompson, Matthew
Source
The University of Queensland Law Journal; Vol. 38 No. 2 (2019): Special issue on expert evidence; 261-277
1839-289X
0083-4041
10.38127/uqlj.v38i2
Publisher
The University of Queensland School of Law
Date
2020-02-18
Rights
Copyright (c) 2020 The University of Queensland Law Journal
Relation
Format
application/pdf
Language
eng
Type
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
Peer-reviewed Article
Identifier
Collection
Citation
Chloe Smith and Matthew Thompson, Performance Claims in Forensic Science Expert Opinion Evidence, The University of Queensland School of Law, 2020, accessed November 23, 2024, https://igi.indrastra.com/items/show/2623