Australian Institue of Criminology

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Improving jury understanding and use of expert DNA evidence

Technical and Background Paper no. 37

Jane Goodman-Delahunty and Lindsay Hewson
ISSN 1836-2052
Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, March 2010

Abstract

The use of DNA evidence in Australian courts has increased exponentially in the last two decades. DNA technology is well-validated and no longer the subject of defence challenges. Juror difficulties in understanding and applying the scientific and statistical information conveyed by forensic experts about a DNA match have been documented in qualitative and quantitative studies