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old. The New Paradigm. Bitemarks: Ray Krone. Firearms. Firearms. Fingerprints: Brandon Mayfield. old. The New Paradigm. Psych 101: The Problem of Observer Effects. Itiel Dror et al. Itiel Dror et al. Itiel Dror et al. Itiel Dror et al. Itiel Dror et al. Itiel Dror et al.
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old The New Paradigm
old The New Paradigm
“It’s all subjective, and therefore it presents terrible problems of human error and potential for mischief.” James Baker (concerning Florida recounts), USA Today, Nov. 13, 2000, p. 6A
old The New Paradigm
Contents • Technicians, Not Scientists • Pro-prosecution Bias • Beyond the Bounds of their [Expertise] • Prevaricate on their Qualification • Proficiency Testing – A Surprise • Human Error More Important Factor than Previously Suspected • Fraudulent or Manufactured Evidence • Probabilities Evidence of Doubtful Reliability
old The New Paradigm
Forces Impelling a Shift • DNA typing – providing a model • DNA exonerations • Daubert & Kumho Tire • Research in and on forensic science work disclosing errors (error rates) • Publicized messes • Highly publicized errors (some indiv, some lab-wide) • Highly publicized falsifications • Better educated new forensic scientists
old The New Paradigm
Firearms Identification • U.S. v. Green, 405 F.Supp.2d 104 (D.Mass. 2005) – several days • U.S. v. Monteiro, 407 F.Supp.2d 351 (D.Mass.2006) – six days • Moriarty & Saks, Forensic Science: Grand Goals, Tragic Flaws, and Judicial Gatekeeping, 44 Judges J. 16 (Fall, 2005)
Three Ideas for Moving Forward • DNA model • Black Box Model • Basic Research Model
One Idea on What to Do While Waiting for the Science • Limit statements to those which are genuinely supportable by empirical data… • No leaps of faith… • No exaggerations… • No silent footnotes…
One Idea on What to Do While Waiting for the Science • Limit statements to those which are genuinely supportable by empirical data… • No leaps of faith… • No exaggerations… • No silent footnotes… “the truth, the whole truth”
4th Annual Bitemark Workshop: ErrorRates of Forensic Odontologists
“In scientific inquiry it becomes a matter of duty to expose a supposed law to every possible kind of verification, and to take care, moreover, that this is done intentionally, and not left to a mere accident.” --T.H. Huxley