• DocumentCode
    2710821
  • Title

    Bringing science into the courtroom

  • Author

    Utt, David P.

  • Author_Institution
    Fire Forensics & Safety Consulting LLC, Carmel, IN, USA
  • fYear
    2009
  • fDate
    26-28 Oct. 2009
  • Firstpage
    1
  • Lastpage
    9
  • Abstract
    While investigators have adequate tools for ensuring they reach a proper determination of fire causation, claims against manufacturers often progress to the courtroom despite forensic analysis indicating their products are not at fault. A solid defense strategy requires a reasonable alternative explanation grounded in scientific principles. Because the complexities of science may sometimes be lost on lay people and jurors, the use of visual and demonstrative materials can effectively convey these concepts.
  • Keywords
    forensic science; law; scientific information systems; alternative explanation; courtroom; fire causation; forensic analysis; jurors; lay people; scientific principles; solid defense strategy; Catalogs; Fires; Forensics; Manufacturing; Materials requirements planning; Product safety; Solids; Strips; Surges; Testing;
  • fLanguage
    English
  • Publisher
    ieee
  • Conference_Titel
    Product Compliance Engineering, 2009. PSES 2009. IEEE Symposium on
  • Conference_Location
    Toronto, ON
  • Print_ISBN
    978-1-4244-3305-6
  • Electronic_ISBN
    978-1-4244-3306-3
  • Type

    conf

  • DOI
    10.1109/PSES.2009.5356013
  • Filename
    5356013