forensic science and witness testimony

Question 1

what is the CSI effect?

Answer 1

where jurors treatment of scientific evidence is influenced by TV

Question 2

why may there be problems with evidence?

Answer 2

i. nature of scientific evidence
- forensics can be portrayed as an infallible discipline
scientific dogma- views of experts may be accepted too readily
scientific as panacea- science may be seen as the solution to criminal investigation
ii. evolving opinion
- science not a fixed discipline and knowledge is continuously evolving
iii. unreliable techniques
iv. individual errors
v. contamination of forensic material
vi. poor advocacy