Abstract
Criminal courts are today frequently confronted with statistical evidence, notably in relation to DNA profiling. Recent experience tends to confirm both widespread perceptions and more systematic research indicating that probability and statistics are not handled confidently, or always competently, by lawyers, judges, jurors or even by forensic scientists. Conceived as a primer for legal professionals, this article reviews basic statistical terminology and its forensic applications, and explores the options for presenting statistical information to fact-finders effectively. In raising awareness of the issues and by encouraging improved comprehension of probability and statistics amongst legal and forensic science professionals, we aim to contribute directly to the administration of justice by promoting more successful applications of forensic statistics in legal adjudication.
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