Forensic Science International
Volume 201, Issue 1 , Pages 14-17, 10 September 2010

Forensic identification: From a faith-based “Science” to a scientific science

Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Department of Psychology, Center for Law, Science, and Innovation, P.O. Box 877906, Tempe, AZ 85287-7906, USA

Received 22 February 2010; received in revised form 5 March 2010; accepted 9 March 2010. published online 15 April 2010.

Abstract 

This article reviews the fundamental assumptions of forensic identification (“individualization”) science and notes the lack of empirical evidence or theory supporting its typical strong claims. The article then discusses three general research strategies for placing these fields on firmer scientific ground. It concludes by suggesting what forensic identification science experts can do while awaiting that scientific foundation.

Keywords: Forensic identification, Probability theory, Empirical research, Research strategies, Candor

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PII: S0379-0738(10)00106-4

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.03.014

Forensic Science International
Volume 201, Issue 1 , Pages 14-17, 10 September 2010

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