UW Researchers Receive NSF Grant to Study Perceptions of Forensic Evidence

A research team at the University of Wyoming has received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a study titled “Improving Communication Between Crime Laboratories and Legal Decision Makers.”

The project, which received $585,775 over three years, aims to examine how forensic evidence is communicated in the criminal legal system and its potential role in wrongful convictions. The study is led by Kayla Burd, a UW assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, and UW College of Law Associate Professor Lauren McLane, in collaboration with researchers from Arizona State University.

Their research will explore how inconclusive forensic decisions, such as firearm cartridge case analyses, that do not provide a clear match might contribute to wrongful convictions. The study also will identify ways to improve communication among forensic experts, jurors, attorneys and judges to ensure fairer outcomes in criminal cases.

“We are grateful for NSF’s support of this work, which we believe will help to promote judicial, attorney and juror understanding of forensic firearms evidence and just legal outcomes,” Burd says.

The project will use experimental methods to determine whether inconclusive forensic decisions are misinterpreted in ways that disadvantage innocent defendants; develop improved forensic reporting methods that clarify the meaning of inconclusive results; examine how expert testimony can help jurors better understand forensic evidence; and enhance legal professionals’ knowledge of forensic science through continuing education.

The study is being conducted in collaboration with the Arizona Supreme Court Center for Forensics and Artificial Intelligence, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. These organizations will help recruit participants from their extensive networks of legal professionals.

The broader impact of this research could lead to significant changes in how forensic evidence is reported and used in court. By demonstrating how miscommunication affects case outcomes, the researchers’ findings may encourage prosecutors to disclose inconclusive results as Brady material (evidence favorable to the defense), help defense attorneys challenge forensic evidence more effectively and guide judges in making informed decisions about admissibility.

Additionally, the study will contribute to legal education by providing judges and attorneys with cutting-edge forensic training. It also will offer mentorship opportunities for students and early-career researchers interested in forensic science, law and psychology.

The findings will be disseminated to academic journals, and shared at conferences and with students, helping bridge the gap between forensic science and the legal system.

For more information about this research, email Burd at kburd@uwyo.edu.