Deciphering the human condition: the rise of cognitive forensics

Abstract

It has been almost a decade since a ‘paradigm shift’ in the forensic identification sciences was predicted. This shift was seen as an inevitable response to the mounting pressure resulting from scientific criticisms from both legal and academic camps. For most of the identification disciplines, the traditional paradigm has proven remarkably resistant to change. There has, however, been a healthy increase in research engagement relating to studies focused on the role that human perceptual and cognitive processes play in deciphering traditional forms of forensic evidence. The greatest cognitive research efforts in recent times have been directed toward the potential for bias to influence the outcomes of forensic examinations. The role of cognitive research is far more wide-reaching however, and is making important contributions to understanding models of interpretation and reporting, to assessing the characteristics of forensic competency and in identifying flawed constructs in subjective examination approaches. The challenge for our profession is to encourage cognitive scientists to assist us in understanding the characteristics of our claimed expertise, to make our resources available to detailed studies in spite of our casework demands, and ultimately to develop a culture prepared to change the way we go about our work.