TY - JOUR
T1 - The Forensic Confirmation Bias
T2 - A Comparison Between Experts and Novices
AU - van den Eeden, Claire A.J.
AU - de Poot, Christianne J.
AU - van Koppen, Peter J.
PY - 2019/1
Y1 - 2019/1
N2 - A large body of research has described the influence of context information on forensic decision-making. In this study, we examined the effect of context information on the search for and selection of traces by students (N = 36) and crime scene investigators (N = 58). Participants investigated an ambiguous mock crime scene and received prior information indicating suicide, a violent death or no information. Participants described their impression of the scene and wrote down which traces they wanted to secure. Results showed that context information impacted first impression of the scene and crime scene behavior, namely number of traces secured. Participants in the murder condition secured most traces. Furthermore, the students secured more crime-related traces. Students were more confident in their first impression. This study does not indicate that experts outperform novices. We therefore argue for proper training on cognitive processes as an integral part of all forensic education.
AB - A large body of research has described the influence of context information on forensic decision-making. In this study, we examined the effect of context information on the search for and selection of traces by students (N = 36) and crime scene investigators (N = 58). Participants investigated an ambiguous mock crime scene and received prior information indicating suicide, a violent death or no information. Participants described their impression of the scene and wrote down which traces they wanted to secure. Results showed that context information impacted first impression of the scene and crime scene behavior, namely number of traces secured. Participants in the murder condition secured most traces. Furthermore, the students secured more crime-related traces. Students were more confident in their first impression. This study does not indicate that experts outperform novices. We therefore argue for proper training on cognitive processes as an integral part of all forensic education.
KW - contextual bias
KW - crime scene investigation
KW - decision-making
KW - expectancy effects
KW - expertise
KW - forensic science
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U2 - 10.1111/1556-4029.13817
DO - 10.1111/1556-4029.13817
M3 - Article
C2 - 29772072
AN - SCOPUS:85047648974
SN - 0022-1198
VL - 64
SP - 120
EP - 126
JO - Journal of Forensic Sciences
JF - Journal of Forensic Sciences
IS - 1
ER -
