What soda challenges and tennis balls can teach us about cognitive bias

Abstract

The word “bias” immediately conjures ideas of ill will and conscious intent, and, indeed, some instances of cognitive bias in forensics have involved such bad motive. But evidence both inside and outside of forensics has repeatedly demonstrated that no such malice is necessary for cognitive bias to have a profound effect on the results of testing. Justice requires that forensic science and scientists embrace positive reform to mitigate the effects of cognitive bias.