DNA Evidence and Jury Comprehension

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this research project was to develop insight into the factors that influence judge and jury interpretations, perceptions and understanding of DNA evidence within the criminal justice system. The research question was addressed using a triangulated data collection methodology involving the following six-step process: three focus groups consisting of mock jurors, defence and prosecution lawyers; semi-structured interviews with Court of Queen's Bench justices; the distribution of 500 surveys to jury eligible community members; a scripted mock murder trial; a videotaped mock jury deliberation on the mock murder case; and an interview with the mock jurors after deliberations. The findings of this research outlines some of the changes lawyers, judges, and members of the general public feel are essential to their process of interpreting, perceiving and understanding DNA evidence. Some of these changes include encouraging jurors to take notes, giving jurors suggestions for conducting deliberations, providing juror notebooks, permitting jurors discussions during the trial, providing jurors with written instructions, and introducing a learning-style survey.