Examining the Role of Science in the Courtroom: Admissibility and Reliability of Forensic Science in the Courtroom
Maryam Hamirani, Itiel E. Dror, Ruth M. Morgan · UCL Discovery (University College London) · 2018
The capabilities of forensic science have expanded and evolved over the years, facing a number of significant challenges. A main weakness is its susceptibility to cognitive bias. (1) Today, despite remaining a powerful element within the justice system, and playing a key role in establishing and reconstructing events, forensic science much like any scientific domain, faces weaknesses and limitations. These issues can arise throughout an investigation; from when the forensic evidence is first collected at the scene of the crime, until the evidence is presented at court. While recognizing the cognitive and scientific challenges forensic science faces, this paper also demonstrates that the value of forensic science extends beyond the courtroom.