Lisa L. Smith

Understanding Juror Perceptions of Forensic Evidence: Investigating the Impact of Case Context on Perceptions of Forensic Evidence Strength

Abstract:  The most widely accepted model of juror decision making acknowledges the importance of both the case‐specific information presented in the courtroom, as well as the prior general knowledge and beliefs held by each juror. The studies presented in this paper investigated whether mock jurors could differentiate between evidence of varying strengths in the absence of case information and then followed on to determine the influence that case context (and therefore the story model) has on judgments made about the strength of forensic DNA evidence. The results illustrated that mock jurors correctly identified various strengths of evidence when it was not presented with case information; however, the perceived strength of evidence was significantly inflated when presented in the context of a criminal case, particularly when the evidence was of a weak or ambiguous standard. These findings are discussed in relation to the story model, and the potential implications for real juries.

Understanding juror perceptions of forensic evidence: investigating the impact of case context on perceptions of forensic evidence strength.

Abstract:  The most widely accepted model of juror decision making acknowledges the importance of both the case‐specific information presented in the courtroom, as well as the prior general knowledge and beliefs held by each juror. The studies presented in this paper investigated whether mock jurors could differentiate between evidence of varying strengths in the absence of case information and then followed on to determine the influence that case context (and therefore the story model) has on judgments made about the strength of forensic DNA evidence. The results illustrated that mock jurors correctly identified various strengths of evidence when it was not presented with case information; however, the perceived strength of evidence was significantly inflated when presented in the context of a criminal case, particularly when the evidence was of a weak or ambiguous standard. These findings are discussed in relation to the story model, and the potential implications for real juries.

Identifying and measuring juror pre-trial bias for forensic evidence: Development and validation of the Forensic Evidence Evaluation Bias Scale

Abstract Previous research has provided support for the impact of juror pre-trial bias on judicial decision making, particularly in cases where the evidence presented at trial is of weak or ambiguous probative value. In an effort to identify whether a pre-trial bias for forensic evidence exists, the Forensic Evidence Evaluation Bias Scale (FEEBS) was developed and tested. The results of a principal components analysis suggested that two distinct constructs were being measured, corresponding to a pro-prosecution and pro-defence bias toward forensic evidence. In a second validation study, scores on these two subscales were compared with other existing juror bias measures (Juror Bias Scale and Belief in a Just World) and in a mock juror decision making task only the pro-prosecution subscale of the FEEBS predicted the perceived strength of forensic evidence. A partial mediation model is presented which explains the relationship between this bias and verdict preferences. The implications of this potential juror bias are discussed in the context of real juries, the CSI Effect (which refers to anecdotal claims that jurors are biased by the popularity of fictional representations of forensic science on television) and peremptory challenges, as well as future research directions.

Examining the Factors That Differentiate a Car Key Burglary from a Regular Domestic Burglary

Since the mandatory introduction in 1998 of electronic immobilisers in all vehicles, new cars are impossible to start without their keys. Some offenders have thus resorted to stealing car keys during domestic burglaries in order to steal the car — a relatively new phenomenon referred to as ‘car key burglaries’. With these crimes becoming an increasing problem in the UK, it is imperative that they are recorded accurately in order to identify the true scope of this problem and tackle it effectively. As yet, no universal definition of a car key burglary exists according to which all police constabularies can work, leading to inconsistencies in the recording of these types of crimes. Car key burglary data recorded by Northamptonshire Police was examined and analysed, and significant differences were found between car key and regular domestic burglaries. These differences pertained to the time of day at which the offence occurred, the neighbourhood in which the offence occurred and the search of the property by the offender. The implications of these findings are discussed, as well as limitations of the study, and possible directions for future research that may allow the police to record a domestic burglary more accurately as a car key burglary.

The Relationship Between Deprivation and Forensic Opportunities with Stolen Vehicles

Abstract:  Collection and interpretation of forensic intelligence (primarily through DNA and fingerprint identifications) is an integral part of the investigation of criminal offenses ranging from burglary and vehicle crime to major crime. The forensic contribution depends not only on the successful recovery of material, but also the ability to identify potential offenders and apply this intelligence to solve the crime. This study examines burglary and vehicle crimes investigated by Northamptonshire Police (U.K.) by analyzing relationships between deprivation of a crime location and the recovery and identification of DNA and fingerprint material. The results show that, for stolen vehicles, although significantly more forensic material (both DNA and fingerprints) is recovered and identified in more deprived neighborhoods, this does not lead to a corresponding increase in solved cases. These findings are considered in relation to previous studies, which have advocated the prioritization of resources at crime scenes most likely to yield forensic material.

High performance liquid chromatography of toremifene and metabolites

Abstract The separation of toremifene and its metabolites 4-hydroxytoremifene, N-desmethyltoremifene, N-desdimethyltoremifene and deaminohydroxytoremifene by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography is described. The effects of pH, buffer concentration and type and proportion of organic modifier on the retention and resolution of the compounds have been studied. This allows optimum conditions for a particular biological application to be developed by simple modification of these paramaters. For the separation of toremifene and metabolites in microsomal metabolism and in plasma, the optimum conditions were 65% (v/v) acetonitrile in 0.25M ammonium acetate-acetic acid buffer, pH 5.0–5.2.

Physiological Measurement of Crime Scene Investigator Stress

This study aims to identify quantitatively the level of increased stress in civilian crime scene investigators (CSIs) whilst they were performing a variety of tasks as part of their normal duties. Mean above-average resting heart rate was used as the quantitative measure of physiological changes, recorded once a second for 12 CSIs during a working shift of 8 hours over a period of 7 days. Each CSI maintained an activity log of their work which enabled the physiological readings to be aligned to tasks undertaken. As well as physical stress, results show that CSIs undergo psychosocial stress during the examination of routine crime scenes such as domestic burglary and vehicle examination. Increased levels of stress diminished between scene visits. Reasons for increased stress reactivity at routine crime scenes are considered and opportunities for further work discussed. This study demonstrates quantitatively the stress undergone by civilian CSIs and questions the effect this might have on the effective recovery of forensic material from the crime scene as well as the welfare of the CSI.

Understanding the factors that predict victim retraction in police reported allegations of intimate partner violence

Objective: A large number of victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), who report their victimization to the police, subsequently either retract or disengage from the police investigation. Given that we have a very limited understanding of victim retraction/disengagement in IPV cases, this study addresses this gap by identifying the victim, perpetrator, and offense characteristics that predict retraction/disengagement. Method: Cases of police-reported IPV (n = 524) were analyzed to examine victim, perpetrator, and offense characteristics that may predict retraction or disengagement as well as examining the reasons given for retracting/disengaging from the police investigation. Results: The results indicated a high level of retraction or disengagement from police investigations. Victim and perpetrator characteristics did not predict retraction or disengagement; however, in comparison with cases in which the victims maintain engagement with the case, a number of offense related characteristics (e.g., risk assessment level) did predict retraction and disengagement. Conclusions: Victim retraction and disengagement is a significant issue in the successful prosecution of IPV cases, and the findings suggest that certain offense related characteristics increase the likelihood of victim retraction/disengagement.

The Relationship Between Deprivation and Forensic Material Recovered from Stolen Vehicles: Is it Affected by Vehicle Condition and Tidiness?

Abstract:  Previous research has shown that as crime scene location deprivation increases (lower socioeconomic status), the recovery of forensic material, principally DNA and fingerprints, also increases. However, this increase does not result in more crimes being solved by forensic means. In this study, we analyze stolen vehicle data and find a statistically significant positive association between deprivation and the amount of forensic material that matched either the victim or an associate of the victim on a criminal database. The nature of this association was investigated further by inspecting recovered stolen vehicles to establish whether the condition of a stolen vehicle and the tidiness of its interior influenced the recovery of forensic material that was attributed to the victim or an associate. Contradictory results suggest that other factors may contribute to understanding the association between the recovery of victim‐ or associate‐attributable forensic material and crime scene location deprivation.

Forensic science and the right to access to justice: Testing the efficacy of self-examination intimate DNA swabs to enhance victim-centred responses to sexual violence in low-resource environments

In developed countries, DNA profiling routinely forms part of the forensic strategy in the investigation of sexual violence. Medical examinations provide opportunities for recovering DNA evidence from intimate swabs, which can be particularly probative in cases where the identity of the perpetrator is unknown and proof of intercourse between two people is required. In low-resource environments, such as developing countries, remote geographic locations, conflict (and post-conflict) affected regions and displaced communities where access to medical examinations is lacking, DNA evidence is not available to support prosecutions and perpetrators are rarely identified and held accountable for crimes of sexual violence. This paper reports the results of a proof-of-concept study testing the efficacy of a novel self-examination intimate swab designed for recovering DNA following unprotected sexual intercourse. The results of this study corroborate previous research which has demonstrated that male DNA profiles can be successfully recovered by post-coital, self-examination methods, and discusses how this novel approach could enable the integration of DNA evidence into victim-centred approaches to investigating and prosecuting sexual violence in low-resource environments. The results and discussion challenge the prevailing assumption that intimate DNA swabs must be collected by trained medical professionals in order to be of evidential value.