The importance of DNA evidence to juries in criminal trials

Rhonda Wheate

The importance of DNA evidence to juries in criminal trials

Rhonda Wheate

Law

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This article draws upon interviews of real jurors in criminal trials in the Australian Capital Territory about scientific evidence and expert witnesses, which revealed that jurors' expectations of scientific evidence, particularly DNA profiling evidence, play an important role in determining whether or not the jurors, and juries, are able to comfortably deliver a guilty verdict or an acquittal. Where their expectations of DNA evidence are not met, high levels of juror frustration and speculation may culminate in hung juries.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	129-145
Number of pages	17
Journal	International Journal of Evidence and Proof
Volume	14
Issue number	2
Publication status	Published - 1 Apr 2010

Keywords

expert
DNA
criminal law
trial
jury
witness

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title = "The importance of DNA evidence to juries in criminal trials",

abstract = "This article draws upon interviews of real jurors in criminal trials in the Australian Capital Territory about scientific evidence and expert witnesses, which revealed that jurors' expectations of scientific evidence, particularly DNA profiling evidence, play an important role in determining whether or not the jurors, and juries, are able to comfortably deliver a guilty verdict or an acquittal. Where their expectations of DNA evidence are not met, high levels of juror frustration and speculation may culminate in hung juries.",

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AB - This article draws upon interviews of real jurors in criminal trials in the Australian Capital Territory about scientific evidence and expert witnesses, which revealed that jurors' expectations of scientific evidence, particularly DNA profiling evidence, play an important role in determining whether or not the jurors, and juries, are able to comfortably deliver a guilty verdict or an acquittal. Where their expectations of DNA evidence are not met, high levels of juror frustration and speculation may culminate in hung juries.

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KW - witness

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