The Use of Expert Forensic DNA Testimony in Ontario Criminal Trial Courts
Dawn Cohen, graduate student, Forensic Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Cecilia Hageman, Assistant Professor, Forensic Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Published April 19,
Cecilia Hageman and Dawn Cohen hosted a panel on the use of expert forensic DNA testimony in Ontario criminal trial courts during a session titled Technology on Trial? Exploring The Use and Misuse of Evidence. The session took place on January 26, 2018, at the Technologies of Justice Conference, hosted at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
Cohen and Dr. Hageman spoke on the misinterpretation of DNA evidence and expert DNA witnesses in trial courts. They helped their audience define what DNA evidence is and how is it used. They explained how there is a chance of coincidence in the probability of shared profiles (although it is rare) as well as the chance of DNA transfer, where DNA can be moved and sampled when someone has never actually been on the scene. They highlighted the need for forensic and DNA specialists to know what is done with a testimony after it is given by an expert DNA witness. Both researchers have conducted a study of past trials to find out the use or lack of use of DNA evidence given by expert witness; during the panel they explained how their research has shown that statistical and percentage-based use of evidence is often misinterpreted or unused, and how to help bring better usage of DNA data to the courts by including expert witnesses and expert testimony in a greater part of court proceedings.
