2. Strategy for reducing bias in the collection and processing of forensic evidence and EXAM QUESTIONS

Question 1

Cognitive Training - 4 points

Answer 1

By training forensic examiners to acknowledge and minimise
bias.

Awareness of bias is an important step in dealing with it, but
it cannot be turned off and on by willpower or awareness alone.

Training by cognitive experts could make an important contribution in helping practitioners minimise the influence of cognitive bias on their decisions.

For example, forensic science education could include training
in basic psychology that is relevant to forensic work, such as the aspects of perception, judgement and decision making.

Question 2

6 pack method - 3 things

Answer 2

The six pack technique - Providing one known print and one unknown print
can create an expectation bias and could also lead to confirmation bias.

By having the suspects print mixed in with 5 other known prints this
reduces any expectation that the suspect print will be a match with the
unknown print.

Miller (1987) presented student subjects with either a hair sample from one suspect to match to evidence, or gave them, based on the principle of
an identity line up, a ‘line up’ of evidence where 5 hair samples from five suspects were offered for comparison. This has been shown to reduce the
number of false identifications.