Unconscious bias afflicting forensic experts and its impact on the justice system
Unconscious bias afflicting forensic experts and its impact on the justice system
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Issue Date
2012
Authors
Dine, Micaela Marie Van
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Abstract
Bias is known as a preference that inhibits impartial judgment. Bias is very human, extremely common, and usually harmless. However, in forensics bias is dangerous. Forensic examiners are afflicted with bias and understandably so, they are in fact human. But when a decision of a person’s guilt or innocence lies in the hands of a forensic examiner, the need for 100% objectivity is crucial. Can examiners be completely free from bias? Research indicates that this can be possible. In order for this to become a reality, many issues in forensics starting from the laboratory to the courtroom need to be addressed and steps taken to eliminate the triggers that cause examiners and experts to render biased conclusions.
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Keywords
Forensic sciences