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Just Science: Just Cognitive Bias Awareness

NCJ Number
252360
Author(s)
Cecelia Crouse
Date Published
November 2018
Length
2 pages
Annotation

This second episode of the forensic advancement season of the National Institute of Justice's (NIJ's) Just Science podcast series is an interview with Dr. Cecelia Crouse, formerly the Crime Laboratory Director of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, regarding the 20009 National Academy of Sciences' report.

Abstract

The National Academy of Sciences' 2009 report on the forensic sciences examined and critiqued the scientific basis for decisionmaking by forensic scientists. The report focused on the human factor of bias and subjectivity that corrupts the reliability and accuracy of forensic conclusions that determine court outcomes. The interview with Dr. Crouse focuses on what can be done by the forensic science community to address the issues discussed in the report. The importance of recognizing the human factors that have the potential for bias and inaccuracy in forensic science decisionmaking is acknowledged and discussed in the interview, along with what can be done to identify and minimize mistakes in procedures and decisionmaking in forensic science. Some of the issues discussed are educational requirements, training, accreditation, certification, standardization, and transparency.