FOS: Probability and
Statistics in
Forensic Science
Isaac
Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge
This
is a Programe
funded by the Isaac Newton Institute forMathematical Science
Cambridge University. The
programme will run at
the Institute from 18 July -
21 December 2016 and will host leading researchers from around the
world who specialise in applying probability and statistics to forensic
evidence and legal arguments. The lead researchers and
organisers are:
- Professor Norman Fenton.
School of Electronic Engineering and
Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London
- Professor David Balding, UCL
Genetics Institute, University
College London
- Professor Richard D. Gill,
Mathematical Institute, Leiden
University, Netherlands
- Dr David Lagnado, Cognitive,
Perceptual and Brain Sciences
Department, University College London
- Professor Leila Schneps,
Institut de Math'ematiques de Jussieu,
Universit'e Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
Programme
Theme
While
there have been dramatic advances in the range and scale of forensic
techniques used to help solve legal cases, the way that the probative
value of forensic evidence is presented in courts is rudimentary and
often flawed. In particular, where probative value is presented in
probabilistic and statistical terms there have been numerous instances
of misunderstanding leading to miscarriages of justice. Yet there are
emerging Bayesian-based probabilistic frameworks - for evaluating
forensic evidence and combining it with other types of evidence
– that have the potential to improve dramatically many
aspects of the criminal justice system. The programme will develop the main
research topics in this area, such as the use of Bayesian networks for
combining and evaluating multiple types of evidence, and statistical
methods for DNA analysis, particularly in the difficult situations that
arise in actual cases of forensic detection: mixed, low template or
degraded DNA samples or rare Y-haplotypes. We will also examine the
role statistical databases play in other types of trace evidence such
as fibre analysis, soil analysis, and drug traces on banknotes.
More on Programme theme.
The full research proposal is here.
Researchers
interested in
participating should contact Leila
Schneps or Norman
Fenton.