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The effect of contextual information on decision-making in forensic toxicology.

The effect of contextual information on decision-making in forensic toxicology.

Authors :
Hamnett HJ
Dror IE
Source :
Forensic science international. Synergy [Forensic Sci Int Synerg] 2020 Jun 30; Vol. 2, pp. 339-348. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jun 30 (Print Publication: 2020).
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

The impact of cognitive bias on decisions in forensic science has been demonstrated in numerous disciplines such as DNA and fingerprints, but has not been empirically investigated in the more objective domains, such as forensic toxicology. In the first experiment, participants (n = 58) were affected by irrelevant case information when analysing data from an immunoassay test for opiate-type drugs. In the second experiment, participants (n = 53) were biased in their choice of tests, for example, the age of the deceased impacted testing strategy: for older people, medicinal drugs were commonly chosen, whereas for younger people drugs of abuse were selected. Based on the results that examiners analyzing case data may have biases if they are given access to case context, we propose that examiners analysing presumptive test data are blind to irrelevant contextual information. Furthermore, that forensic toxicology laboratories use a consistent protocol for selecting tests, and that any deviations are documented and justified.<br />Competing Interests: The authors have no competing interests to declare.<br /> (© 2020 The Author(s).)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2589-871X
Volume :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Forensic science international. Synergy
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
33385132
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.06.003