Public beliefs about the accuracy and importance of forensic evidence in the United States. Issue 3 (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaplan, Jacob; Ling, Shichun; Cuellar, Maria
• Is Part Of: Science & justice. Volume 60:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 263
• Page End: 272
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: forensic science -- forensic evidence -- CSI effect -- public perceptions; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Criminal investigation -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Criminalistique -- Périodiques; Enquêtes criminelles -- Périodiques; Criminal investigation; Forensic sciences; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2020.01.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-0306

Abstract

Highlights: Individuals in the US are skeptical about the quality of forensic techniques. Respondents perceive high risk of error at each stage of the investigation process. Respondents believe each forensic technique involves high levels of human judgment. Respondents report that forensic TV shows are moderately accurate at best. Respondents believe that forensic evidence is a key part of a criminal case. Abstract: Recent advances in forensic science, especially the use of DNA technology, have revealed that faulty forensic analyses may have contributed to miscarriages of justice. In this study we build on recent research on the general public's perceptions of the accuracy of 10 forensic science techniques and of each stage in the investigation process. We find that individuals in the United States hold a pessimistic view of the forensic science investigation process, believing that an error can occur about half of the time at each stage of the process. We find that respondents believe that forensics are far from perfect, with accuracy rates ranging from a low of 55% for voice analysis to a high of 83% for DNA analysis, with most techniques being considered between 65% and 75% accurate. Nevertheless, respondents still believe that forensic evidence is a key part of a criminal case, with nearly 30% of respondents believing that the absence of forensic evidence is sufficient for a prosecutor to drop the case and nearly 40% believing that the presence of forensic evidence – even if other forms of evidence suggest that the defendant is not guilty – is enough to convict the defendant.