Saks published in scientific journal

Regents' Professor Michael Saks of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, and Dawn McQuiston-Surrett, an associate professor and director of the master's degree program in Psychology in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at ASU, have published their article, "The Testimony of Forensic Identification Science: What Expert Witnesses Say and What Factfinders Hear."

The article aMcQuistonSaksPaperppears in the October issue of Law and Human Behavior, a bimonthly multi-disciplinary scientific journal of the American Psychology-Law Society. The society publishes original empirical papers, reviews and meta-analyses on how the law, legal system, and legal process relate to human behavior; particularly legal psychology and forensic psychology.

Saks and McQuiston-Surrett report on their research that has examined 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, conclusion testimony increased the defendant's culpability ratings when findings were presented quantitatively, 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