Does contextual information bias bitemark comparisons?

Determining the Proper Evidentiary Basis for an Expert Opinion

“…Studies have shown similar types of contextual bias in document examination (Miller, 1984), bite mark analysis (Osborne et al, 2014), bloodstain pattern analysis (Taylor et al, 2014); forensic anthropology (Nakhaeizadeh et al, 2013); and DNA analysis (Dror and Hampikian, 2011;Thompson, 2009). Studies have shown similar types of contextual bias in document examination (Miller, 1984), bite mark analysis (Osborne et al, 2014), bloodstain pattern analysis (Taylor et al, 2014); forensic anthropology (Nakhaeizadeh et al, 2013); and DNA analysis (Dror and Hampikian, 2011;Thompson, 2009).…”

The Reliability of Pattern Classification in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Part 1: Bloodstain Patterns on Rigid Non‐absorbent Surfaces

“…When considering the reliability of any forensic method, it is important to assess whether factors outside of the evidence can influence the reliability of interpretations. In particular, a growing body of research has demonstrated that expert interpretations may be influenced by the presentation of contextual information (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18).…”

Commentary on: Lockhart JJ, Satya‐murti S. Diagnosing crime and diagnosing disease: bias reduction strategies in the forensic and clinical sciences. J Forensic Sci https://doi.org/10.1111/1556‐4029.13453. Epub 2017 Feb 23.

“…I am concerned, however, about the authors' presentation of some of the literature relating to bias in forensic science. In particular, the authors have cited several studies conducted by myself and my colleagues' (2)(3)(4)(5)(6), but have either misinterpreted our findings, or have misused the citations to support their point. The statements in question are in the following paragraph (p. 3):…”

“…Research examining blinding approaches is still rather novel: in our review of the literature, we found relatively few studies, apart from Dror's, that have tested similar blinding procedures. These studies demonstrated mixed results [ (2)(3)(4)].…”