Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 24-1 - 13

◗◗ If bias in measuring instruments and values can artificially elevate or depress the true value or result.
◗◗ If the instrument or equipment self-corrects for bias.
Calibration / Certification: If the measuring device or instrument must be regularly calibrated and certified.
Deception/Fraud:
◗◗ Whether or not " lexicographic dexterity " and " weasel
words " should be used to conceal, confuse, exaggerate or
obfuscate the results.
◗◗ If misnomers, conclusory terminology, operative words,
expressions, results, individualizing statements, verbal
labels, categorical decisions etc. can be used to mischaracterized the results [42]-[48].
◗◗ If misleading terminology and phraseology of uniqueness, absoluteness and exaggeration are used should the
result be disregarded [49].
Error:
◗◗ If error begets error.
◗◗ If new analytical techniques are subject to error.
◗◗ If algorithms are impartial or subject to error [50].
◗◗ If zero error rates exist.
◗◗ If verbal scales without degrees of uncertainty or error
should be used to report results [51].
Fairness / Equal Justice: If impartial forensic science is crucial
to equal justice and promoting fairness.
Instrumentation / Equipment: If equipment or instrumentation
mandated or approved by statute or administration regulation
is it inherently accurate and reliable.
Measurement: If all types of measurement are subject to
uncertainty.
Methodology: Does the juror trust the scientific method and
science generally.
Quality Assurance / Quality Control:
◗◗ If quality assurance requirements must be maintained.
◗◗ If quality control requirements must be maintained.
Science:
◗◗ If they believe in science.
◗◗ If language and facts are indispensable in communicating science.
◗◗ If scientific facts are self-evident or obvious.
◗◗ If the aura of mythical scientific infallibility exists.
◗◗ Does the juror ideologically accept science?
◗◗ Is science fact or faith based.
◗◗ Does the juror understand science and the specific topic of
analysis in this case?
◗◗ If science is supposed to be systematic, logical, and
methodical.
February 2021

Scientific Evidence:
◗◗ If results and scientific evidence should include the limitations of analysis, measurement, reported uncertainty
and associated estimated probabilities.
◗◗ If faulty scientific evidence exists.
◗◗ If faulty scientific evidence has been used to convict the
innocent.
◗◗ If " The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence " [52].
◗◗ If there are strengths and weaknesses to scientific evidence.
◗◗ If there are any areas or types of scientific evidence that
are considered or assumed to be highly reliable.
Standards / Proof:
◗◗ If forensic science must be impartial.
◗◗ If one of forensic science's objectives is to impartially
serve and benefit society.
◗◗ If forensic science is used to convict the guilty and protect
or exonerate the innocent.
◗◗ If the government must prosecute and convict based on
all of the evidence.
◗◗ If the proponent of an item of evidence must prove that
the item is in fact what it is claimed to be [53].
◗◗ If scientific evidence is better evidence than other evidence.
Test Results / Conclusions:
◗◗ If the imprimatur of a government agency, laboratory,
office, or title makes the results authoritative, accurate,
trustworthy, credible or reliable.
◗◗ If evidence, reports and opinions should be within the
bounds of empirical findings and available knowledge
and not faith based [54].
◗◗ Whether science test results and conclusions must be
clear and reproducible.
◗◗ Whether results and conclusions must be derived from
the scientific method.
◗◗ If scientific results can be misunderstood.
◗◗ If accuracy is the difference between the measurement
and the actual value.
◗◗ If precision is the reproducibility or repeatability of a
measurement or value.
◗◗ If reports and testimony should use clear and straightforward terminology, clearly distinguishing data from
interpretations, opinions, and conclusions.
◗◗ If reports and testimony should disclose known limitations that are necessary to understand the significance of
the findings.
◗◗ If laboratory accreditation is separate and different from
the analysts's competency, credibility, and test results.
◗◗ If membership in a scientific organization is dependent
upon the analyst's competency or ability to pay membership dues.
Uncertainty:
◗◗ If uncertainty is a vagueness as to prelude anything more
than guesswork, as a result that is questionable, doubtful,
or not definite.

IEEE Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 13

Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 24-1

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine 24-1