Justice in Forensic Algorithms
Brandon L. Garrett · Harvard Data Science Review · 2020
The American Statistical Association (ASA) has supported efforts to strengthen the inferential foundations that enable forensic scientists to report scientifically valid conclusions.This document focuses on how statements and opinions should be reported to accurately convey the strengths and limitations of forensic findings to ensure their scientific value is used appropriately in a legal context.The ASA encourages the continued research necessary to provide the requisite scientific data to support rigorous inferential processes.This document does not advocate any particular method of statistical inference be adopted for all evidence.The ASA believes that a statistical foundation is essential for identifying acceptable statements and reporting practices in forensic science because it provides a useful framework for assessing and expressing uncertainty.A statistical foundation supplies a set of principles for drawing conclusions from data and for expressing the risks of certain types of errors in measurements and conclusions.This framework applies throughout forensic science, but the discussion that follows is of special relevance to pattern, impression, and trace evidence.As the National Research Council Committee on Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Sciences Community emphasized, it is necessary to ascertain and describe uncertainties in measurements and inference.This document aims to provide advice to forensic practitioners, but the intent is that the recommendations herein apply more broadly; i.e., to any persons providing (statistical) statements or advice regarding forensic evidence.This document presents background information and views on the following question: When forensic science practitioners present the results of forensic examinations, tests, or measurements in reports or