Understanding forensic expert evaluative evidence: A study of the perception of verbal expressions of the strength of evidence.

Arscott, E; Morgan, R; Meakin, G; French, J

Understanding forensic expert evaluative evidence: A study of the perception of verbal expressions of the strength of evidence.

Arscott, E Morgan, R Meakin, G

French, J

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Science and Justice, 2017, 57, (3), pp. 221-227
Issue Date:: 2017-05

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Arscott, E
dc.contributor.author	Morgan, R
dc.contributor.author	Meakin, G https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9223-3017
dc.contributor.author	French, J
dc.date.accessioned	2022-07-08T02:21:30Z
dc.date.available	2017-02-05
dc.date.available	2022-07-08T02:21:30Z
dc.date.issued	2017-05
dc.identifier.citation	Science and Justice, 2017, 57, (3), pp. 221-227
dc.identifier.issn	1355-0306
dc.identifier.issn	1876-4452
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/158748
dc.description.abstract	Verbal expressions of evidential strength are routinely used when presenting forensic expert evaluative evidence. The degree to which these verbal expressions are interpreted uniformly among different individuals requires further empirical study. This study focussed on groups of individuals with different roles within the criminal justice system and individuals with varying degrees of expertise and knowledge. Three groups of individuals were identified: laypeople, legal professionals and those with some forensic or investigative knowledge. The participants in the study (n=230) were provided with a case summary to which a verbal expression of the strength of evidence was randomly assigned. Participants were subsequently invited to indicate their perception of the strength of the evidence on a scale that was provided. Generally, across the study groups, the trend was one of increased perceived strength of evidence as the intended strength of the verbal expression was increased, with some notable exceptions. In general, there was good concordance between the groups in the way the different expressions were perceived. It was found that participants performed poorly when it came to differentiating between expressions at the 'strong' end of the scale ('strong', 'very strong' and 'extremely strong'). The findings resonate with calls for validated and robust communication frameworks for evaluative opinions. Further empirical research in this area is warranted and that such research can represent an important contribution towards improving the communication and presentation of forensic evidence.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Science and Justice
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.scijus.2017.02.002
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject.classification	Legal & Forensic Medicine
dc.subject.mesh	Expert Testimony
dc.subject.mesh	Forensic Sciences
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Expert Testimony
dc.subject.mesh	Forensic Sciences
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Forensic Sciences
dc.subject.mesh	Expert Testimony
dc.title	Understanding forensic expert evaluative evidence: A study of the perception of verbal expressions of the strength of evidence.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	57
utslib.location.activity	England
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CFS - Centre for Forensic Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-07-08T02:21:29Z
pubs.issue	3
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	57
utslib.citation.issue	3

Abstract:

Verbal expressions of evidential strength are routinely used when presenting forensic expert evaluative evidence. The degree to which these verbal expressions are interpreted uniformly among different individuals requires further empirical study. This study focussed on groups of individuals with different roles within the criminal justice system and individuals with varying degrees of expertise and knowledge. Three groups of individuals were identified: laypeople, legal professionals and those with some forensic or investigative knowledge. The participants in the study (n=230) were provided with a case summary to which a verbal expression of the strength of evidence was randomly assigned. Participants were subsequently invited to indicate their perception of the strength of the evidence on a scale that was provided. Generally, across the study groups, the trend was one of increased perceived strength of evidence as the intended strength of the verbal expression was increased, with some notable exceptions. In general, there was good concordance between the groups in the way the different expressions were perceived. It was found that participants performed poorly when it came to differentiating between expressions at the 'strong' end of the scale ('strong', 'very strong' and 'extremely strong'). The findings resonate with calls for validated and robust communication frameworks for evaluative opinions. Further empirical research in this area is warranted and that such research can represent an important contribution towards improving the communication and presentation of forensic evidence.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/158748