This $585,775 Project Grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (CFDA 47.075) program will test how categorical forensic decisions may contribute to wrongful convictions and identify ways to reduce their harm to the innocent. The three-year project includes five laboratory experiments and a continuing legal education component designed for attorneys and judges. The experiments will examine whether categorical forensic decisions encourage miscommunication between forensic experts and legal decision makers, demonstrate whether an alternative forensic reporting metric can improve communication, and assess the effectiveness of expert testimony for clarifying the meaning of categorical forensic decisions for jurors. The project will also create continuing legal education modules to improve the knowledge base of attorneys and judges regarding the validity and probative value of forensic evidence. Arizona State University, acting through its Division of Orspa, is the prime awardee, and subawards are planned under this grant.
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