You have developed a new forensic technique the ABC test Th

. You have developed a new forensic technique, the ABC test. This test was used to examine a suspected bloodstain in the field (at a crime scene). The ABC test is a portable, species test, and will inform you if the blood is human or primate, canine, feline, and/or ferret. You have validated the ABC test by examining at least 10 different samples from each species that will provide positive results for human, canine, feline and/or ferret. You also analyzed at least 3-5 different samples from other species (bovine, equine, sheep, et cetera) that the ABC test is not specific for and obtain the appropriate negative results. You have published your results from the ABC test validation.

This is the first time the test is being entered into court, as a forensic scientist, you are subpoenaed to testify at a Daubert Hearing to determine the admissibility of the ABC test.

Please define admissibility.

Please list the four (4) criteria required by the Daubert ruling for a test or scientific method to be considered admissible.

Develop four (4) questions that the attorneys would ask you about this ABC test to prove that this test should be admissible.

Provide thorough responses to the four (4) questions that you have developed.

Solution

Admissibilty: It is defined as having a right to be admitted to a place. Also, something which is acceptable or admitted to the court of law. The Daubert provides the rule of evidence regarding the admissibilty of the expert witnesses testimony during Unites States Federal legal proceedings.

Criteria for admissibility:

1. Judge is the gatekeeper: Assuring that scientific expert testimony truly proceeds from \"Scientific Knowledge\", rests on the trial judge.

2. Relevance and Reliability: This requires the trial judge to ensure that the expert\'s testimony is \"relevant to the task at hand\" and that it rests \"on a reliable foundation.

3. Scientific Knowledge/ Scientific method/methodology: A conclusion will qualify as scientific knowledge if the proponent can demonstrate that it is the product of sound \"scientific methodology\" derived from the scientific method.

4. Illustrative factors: The court defined \"Scientific methodology\" as the process of formulating hypotheses and then conducting experiments to prove or falsify the hypothesis, and provided a set of illustrative factors.