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Some Aspects of the Bayesian Approach to Evidence Evaluation

NCJ Number
123040
Journal
Journal of Forensic Science Society Volume: 29 Issue: 5 Dated: (September-October 1989) Pages: 317-324
Author(s)
I W Evett; J S Buckleton
Date Published
1989
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Bayesian inference is gaining increasing prominence in literature dealing with forensic science interpretation, and many forensic scientists react favorably to the basic ideas of the approach.
Abstract
This paper is a discussion of two reservations which are commonly expressed. The discussion is based on a hypothetical example which involves the presence of bloodstaining on the clothing of a man who is suspected of stabbing another man. We show how survey data can be combined with the subjective judgement of an expert and explain ways in which familiarity with the use of the likelihood ratio may be achieved. 1 table, 11 references. (Publisher abstract)