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Communicating expert evidence: Lessons from forensic science
Citation
Howes, LM, Communicating expert evidence: Lessons from forensic science, ANZAPPL 2016 CONGRESS, 24-26 November 2016, Auckland, New Zealand (2016) [Conference Extract]
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Abstract
In recent years, increased research efforts have been directed to improving the communication of
forensic scientific expert evidence. Typically, approaches have aimed to find a balance between
maintaining the scientific accuracy of the communication and its comprehensibility for non-scientists.
While it is necessary to modify the language of expert evidence, modifying language on its own is not
enough to address the potential for miscommunication and misunderstanding. The communicative
context must be considered more broadly. For example, in pre-trial contexts, communication is often
constrained by being written, asynchronous, and formal. This paper draws on Australian empirical
research of expert reports and interviews with lawyers, judges, police investigators, and forensic
scientists. Practical examples are provided to highlight the benefits of inter-professional dialogue to
shared understanding of expert evidence. The presentation concludes with a discussion of whether
and how existing communication barriers may be reduced to facilitate understanding of expert
evidence and ensure its effective contribution to the administration of justice.
Item Details
Item Type: | Conference Extract |
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Keywords: | expert evidence |
Research Division: | Human Society |
Research Group: | Criminology |
Research Field: | Police administration, procedures and practice |
Objective Division: | Law, Politics and Community Services |
Objective Group: | Justice and the law |
Objective Field: | Criminal justice |
UTAS Author: | Howes, LM (Dr Loene Howes) |
ID Code: | 112942 |
Year Published: | 2016 |
Deposited By: | Office of the School of Social Sciences |
Deposited On: | 2016-12-05 |
Last Modified: | 2020-02-13 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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