Joakim Sundh: “Cognitive Bias in Evaluation of Forensic Evidence”

Speaker: Joakim Sundh, PhD. Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology (Perception and Cognition), Uppsala University

Title: Cognitive Bias in Evaluation of Forensic Evidence

Abstract: Most criminal cases involve forensic evidence, and it is common that large amounts of forensic evidence are evaluated in a single case, in which case it is necessary to assess their combined probative value. Forensic traces vary in their probative value, but even very strong evidence is usually associated with a certain degree of uncertainty. Unfortunately, research shows that people, even in legal contexts, often exhibit systematic errors (cognitive bias) when dealing with uncertain information, especially when several uncertain factors are to be combined. In this seminar I will give a brief background on the role of cognitive bias in evaluation of forensic evidence and present some of my own research on the specific bias called the Weak Evidence Effect.