Forensic acoustics: An opportunity to educate
Bennett M. Brooks · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 2003
Forensic science is narrowly defined by some as the gathering of evidence to be used in a criminal court proceeding. However, the word ‘‘forensic’’ broadly pertains to arguments made in any public forum. Those acousticians engaged in expert witness service may work in a variety of settings that address the interests of the general public. These can include quasilegal local administrative public hearings, conducted at school board or planning and zoning meetings, civil legal actions, and rarely, a criminal trial. When presenting complex scientific arguments in a public forum, the reception with which that information is met can strongly depend upon the self-interest of meeting participants, as well as the common skepticism toward all things technical. To successfully gain favor for a particular viewpoint, the target audience (board commissioners, judges, juries) must be sufficiently educated to understand the methods of acquiring valid acoustical data, and the impact of acoustics to the situation in question. The challenge is to present credible information with just enough detail to persuade, but not overwhelm, the decision maker. Illustrative case studies will be discussed.