Unlocking Forensic Science: Engaging Jurors with Compelling Science Comics in the Courtroom

The Evidence Chamber project is making forensic science easy to understand, one panel at a time.

Picture this: you’re a juror in a murder trial. The expert says DNA from the crime scene matches the defendant. You think, “They must be guilty.” But then the expert adds, “The sample is partially degraded.” What does that mean for your decision? They also mention a one-in-a-billion chance that someone else could match that DNA profile.

How does this new information change things? Is the probability significant enough to sway your judgment?

Dr. Andy Ridgway from the University of the West of England explains that jury decisions are crucial and often hinge on how well jurors understand the forensic evidence presented. Unfortunately, many jurors lack a science background and may struggle to grasp complex forensic techniques.

A study called The Evidence Chamber was conducted to see if comics could effectively communicate forensic science. Researchers from UWE and the University of Dundee rounded up around a hundred volunteers to play the role of jurors in mock trials.

During the trial, these ‘jurors’ were introduced to various types of evidence, including expert testimony on DNA testing and gait analysis, which examines a suspect’s walking style. Heather Doran, a researcher at the University of Dundee, explained that jurors first heard the expert testimony. They discussed what they heard and made preliminary decisions about guilt before accessing the comics.

Once they read the comics, the researchers evaluated how the new information influenced their discussions. One group received only the expert testimony, while another had both the expert’s talk and the comics to aid their understanding.

A UWE team, including MSc student Izzy Baxter, analyzed the data collected from this study. The findings showed that jurors who read the comics discussed the evidence more thoroughly. They felt more confident in their reasoning and were better at linking forensic science to their final decisions.

In contrast, groups that received just the oral testimony made more errors in interpreting the evidence, especially regarding probability. The comics helped clarify these concepts. Discussions among jurors who used the comics were more inclusive and interactive.

This experience highlights that comics can be a powerful tool for explaining forensic science in court and helping jurors fulfill their civic duties effectively.

However, creating these materials requires careful planning. The scientific comics used in The Evidence Chamber were crafted by professionals at the University of Dundee, which has a noteworthy connection to comics. They collaborated with a Comics Studies professor and artists to bring the comics to life.

Dundee is famous for its history in comics, being the birthplace of titles like The Beano. The University even offers comics courses, making them well-suited to this unique project.

The Evidence Chamber aims to explore how non-experts comprehend scientific evidence in court, blending forensic science with digital technology and public engagement. It is a collaboration between the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee and Fast Familiar, a group of digital artists focused on interactive experiences.

The research findings were published in the Journal of Science Communication.

For more information, visit the University of Dundee.