Sequential unmasking: a practical means of making DNA profiling more objective(Dr. Dan Krane, Wright State University)

Our manuscript pertains to an extremely important issue in forensic science - the growing need for a commitment to "blinding" technicians in DNA cases to expected outcomes in order to minimize the effects of cognitive bias. The eleven individuals who drafted this position statement are prominent in their fields and represent a broad range of experience and perspectives (from that of a law professor to that of the directors of forensic DNA testing laboratories and of criminalists who are actively involved in the collection and processing of evidence samples). We expect that our proposal is likely to elicit responses from members of the established forensic science community. The topic may have special resonance at the present time because the National Research Council committee on forensic identification is in the final stages of its fact-finding and deliberations. If forensic science is to reform generally, the DNA area might again be able to help point the way. The easily implemented solution we propose could become a model for how good science is done in forensic labs beyond those that generate DNA profiles.

Materials

Presentation

D. Krane, S. Ford, J. Gilder, K. Inman, A. Jamieson, R. Koppl, I. Kornfield, D. Risinger, N. Rudin, M. Taylor, W.C. Thompson. Sequential unmasking: A means of minimizing observer effects in forensic DNA interpretation. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 2008;53(4):1006-7.