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Martire KA, Chin JM, Davis C, Edmond G, Growns B, Gorski S, Kemp RI, Lee Z, Verdon CM, Jansen G, Lang T, Neal TM, Searston RA, Slocum J, Summersby S, Tangen JM, Thompson MB, Towler A, Watson D, Werrett MV, Younan M, Ballantyne KN. Understanding 'error' in the forensic sciences: A primer. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2024; 8:100470. [PMID: 39005839 PMCID: PMC11240290 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
This paper distils seven key lessons about 'error' from a collaborative webinar series between practitioners at Victoria Police Forensic Services Department and academics. It aims to provide the common understanding of error necessary to foster interdisciplinary dialogue, collaboration and research. The lessons underscore the inevitability, complexity and subjectivity of error, as well as opportunities for learning and growth. Ultimately, we argue that error can be a potent tool for continuous improvement and accountability, enhancing the reliability of forensic sciences and public trust. It is hoped the shared understanding provided by this paper will support future initiatives and funding for collaborative developments in this vital domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristy A. Martire
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Carolyn Davis
- Major Crime Scene Unit, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Australia
| | - Gary Edmond
- School of Law, Society & Criminology, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | - Bethany Growns
- School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Stacey Gorski
- Biological Sciences Group, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Australia
| | - Richard I. Kemp
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | - Zara Lee
- Fingerprint Sciences Group, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Australia
| | | | - Gabrielle Jansen
- Morwell Forensic Hub, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Australia
| | - Tanya Lang
- Major Crime Scene Unit, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Australia
| | | | | | - Joshua Slocum
- Fingerprint Sciences Group, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Australia
| | - Stephanie Summersby
- Office of the Chief Forensic Scientist, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Australia
| | - Jason M. Tangen
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Matthew B. Thompson
- School of Psychology, Murdoch University, Australia
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Australia
| | - Alice Towler
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Darren Watson
- Ballistics Unit, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Australia
| | - Melissa V. Werrett
- Chemical Trace Unit, Chemical and Physical Sciences Group, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Australia
| | - Mariam Younan
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia
| | - Kaye N. Ballantyne
- Office of the Chief Forensic Scientist, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Australia
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Smith AM, Neal TMS. The distinction between discriminability and reliability in forensic science. Sci Justice 2021; 61:319-331. [PMID: 34172120 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Forensic science plays an increasingly important role in the criminal justice system; yet, many forensic procedures have not been subject to the empirical scrutiny that is expected in other scientific disciplines. Over the past two decades, the scientific community has done well to bridge the gap, but have likely only scratched the tip of the iceberg. We offer the discriminability-reliability distinction as a critical framework to guide future research on diagnostic-testing procedures in the forensic science domain. We argue that the primary concern of the scientist ought to be maximizing discriminability and that the primary concern of the criminal justice system ought to be assessing the reliability of evidence. We argue that Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis is uniquely equipped for determining which of two procedures or conditions has better discriminability and we also demonstrate how estimates of reliability can be extracted from this Signal Detection framework.
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