Saks co-authors forensic science article

Regents' Professor Michael Saks, of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, and Dawn McQuiston-Surrett, an ASU associate professor of Psychology in the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, have published a new article, "The Testimony of Forensic Identification Science: What Expert Witnesses Say and What Factfinders Hear."

The article, which was printed in the online edition of Law and Human Behavior, reports on the authors' research examining how variations in the presentation of forensic science information affect judgments in a trial. Among their findings, qualitative testimony is more damaging to the defense than quantitative testimony, and expressing limitations of forensic science had no appreciable effect.

To read the full article, click here.

Saks' research focuses on empirical studies of the legal system, especially decision-making; the behavior of the litigation system, and the law's use of science. He is the fourth most-cited law-and-social-science scholar in the U.S., and has authored approximately 200 articles and books. Courses he has taught include criminal law, evidence, law and science, property and torts.

Janie Magruder, Jane.Magruder@asu.edu
(480) 727-9052
Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law