Title :
Bringing science into the courtroom
Author_Institution :
Fire Forensics & Safety Consulting LLC, Carmel, IN, USA
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;
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
DOI :
10.1109/PSES.2009.5356013