Evaluating forensic DNA evidence: Connecting the dots Meakin, Georgina E., Kokshoorn, Bas, van Oorschot, Roland A. H. and Szkuta, Bianca 2020, Evaluating forensic DNA evidence: Connecting the dots, WIREs Forensic Science, pp. 1-19, doi: 10.1002/wfs2.1404. Attached Files Name Description MIMEType Size Downloads Title Evaluating forensic DNA evidence: Connecting the dots Author(s) Meakin, Georgina E. Kokshoorn, Bas van Oorschot, Roland A. H. Szkuta, Bianca orcid.org/0000-0003-2272-5355 Journal name WIREs Forensic Science Start page 1 End page 19 Total pages 19 Publisher Wiley Place of publication Chichester, Eng. Publication date 2020 ISSN 2573-9468 2573-9468 Keyword(s) activity level DNA transfer evaluative opinion source level trace DNA Summary Technological developments within the field of forensic genetics have enhanced the sensitivity and specificity of DNA testing tremendously and have broadened the applications of biological evidence in criminal investigations. Evaluation and communication of the evidential findings within criminal cases have not maintained the same pace, which has largely stemmed from a failure to adopt a standardized approach within and across the various fields of forensic science. Within forensic biology, this has led to unjustified opinions on the weight of the evidence and occurrences of the association fallacy, when the weight of evidence given propositions at one level of the hierarchy of propositions is inappropriately transposed to a higher level. We further define the association fallacy to include the terms, “source level fallacy” and “activity level fallacy,” to enable the forensic science community to better identify and address issues in biological evidence evaluation. It is important to understand these concepts and their causes, and in doing so, identify potential avenues to avoid these fallacies in forensic science casework. These avenues include training and education of forensic and legal professionals, as well as research into transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery (TPPR) of DNA and biological evidence in general. Notes Early View Article Language eng DOI 10.1002/wfs2.1404 Indigenous content off Field of Research 069901 Forensic Biology 010403 Forensic Statistics Socio Economic Objective 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences HERDC Research category C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal Persistent URL http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30146282 Document type: Journal Article Collections: Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment School of Life and Environmental Sciences Related Links Link Description Connect to published version Go to link with your DU access privileges     Unless expressly stated otherwise, the copyright for items in DRO is owned by the author, with all rights reserved. Versions Version Filter Type Wed, 16 Dec 2020, 10:40:50 EST Thu, 17 Dec 2020, 04:00:46 EST Thu, 17 Dec 2020, 05:04:18 EST Mon, 11 Jan 2021, 08:23:13 EST Thu, 21 Jan 2021, 05:04:10 EST Fri, 22 Jan 2021, 15:10:19 EST Fri, 22 Jan 2021, 15:12:55 EST Filtered Full Citation counts:   Cited 0 times in TR Web of Science Cited 0 times in Scopus Search Google Scholar Access Statistics: 53 Abstract Views, 1 File Downloads  -  Detailed Statistics Created: Wed, 16 Dec 2020, 10:40:50 EST

Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that permission has been obtained for items included in DRO. If you believe that your rights have been infringed by this repository, please contact drosupport@deakin.edu.au.