Forensic Science: Believe It or Not?

• In Event: Science, Technology, and Criminal Justice Attitudes

Abstract

Although forensic science has long been used to assist in determining a suspect’s guilt, it is currently undergoing an unprecedented period of reform. Advances in DNA analysis have uncovered wrongful convictions and errors of impunity, and concerns over the scientific foundations of many forensic disciplines have been raised in key official reports. At the same time, it is not clear how forensic evidence is understood by the general public. Is it idealized? Are its inherent limitations recognized? An overestimation of the reliability of forensic evidence could obscure problems of measurement and reporting, and create the impression that a case lacking such evidence is weak, while an underestimation of the value of forensic evidence could lead to the disregard of compelling information. To illuminate how the general public perceives forensic evidence, 1,000 Israelis were surveyed about their attitudes toward forensic science, as well as toward the police more generally. Such opinions may influence jury deliberations in some countries, while in countries that do not use a jury system (such as Israel) they may impact public pressure on the criminal justice system, especially in high-profile cases.

Authors

• Naomi Kaplan-Damary, The Institute of Criminology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

• Tal Jonathan-Zamir, The Hebrew University, Israel

• Gali Perry, The Hebrew University, Israel