Interpreting Evidence: Evaluating Forensic Science in the Courtroom

An attorney and an expert in using probability in decision making describe a powerful new approach to presenting scientific evidence and cross examining expert witnesses in court. Using clear practical terms, they explain the principles of interpretation applicable to all forms of scientific evidence. These principles demonstrate how evidence should be imparted by expert witnesses as well as considered and combined with other evidence by jurors. Authentic case studies illustrate the operation of interpretation principles and how the problems which arose in these cases should have been avoided. Specific evidential areas covered include database matching, transfer evidence, blood and DNA evidence, fingerprints, handwriting and behavioral evidence.

Bernard Robertson is a qualified barrister at the Inner Temple in London and is currently senior lecturer in the Department of Business Law at Massey University, New Zealand. Professor G. A. (Tony) Vignaux is Professor of Operations Research at the Institute of Statistics and Operations Research, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Both authors have co-written numerous articles and conference papers on the interpretation of forensic scientific evidence and on reasoning in evidence generally.