Articles tagged with Jurisprudence
A new review finds that genetic evidence used in the courtroom is unlikely to reduce culpability, as judges and juries perceive defendants' genetic factors both as a mitigating factor and an increased likelihood of re-offending. This mixed perception cancels out any potential effect on blame assignment.
A study by the University of Liverpool found that providing a judicial warning when presenting transcript and video evidence to jurors improves their assessment of witness reliability. The research suggests that warnings are necessary in some cases, such as when video evidence is presented alone, and can help jurors consider the credib...
Shari Diamond, a renowned expert on jury process and legal decision-making, will discuss the importance of involving scientists in the legal system. Her presentation highlights insights from an American Academy of Arts and Sciences study that examines the barriers to effective engagement between science and law.
A new study reveals that dialect unfamiliarity and prejudice against AAVE and other non-standard dialects can lead to mishearing and misjudgment in courtrooms. The authors argue that vernacular varieties should matter more, and linguists can play a bigger role in explaining them.
A new study from the University of Liverpool found that taking notes during trials enhances jurors' memory of trial evidence. Jurors who were allowed to review their notes had superior memory recall compared to those who didn't.
A survey of medical specialists found significant variability in the definition of reasonable medical certainty, with experts citing different probabilities and settings for interpretation.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a unique lie-detecting software using real court case data, achieving up to 75% accuracy in identifying deceivers. The system analyzes both speech patterns and body language, uncovering common behaviors such as eye contact, hand gestures, and vocal fill.
A new study from Arizona State University found that when men express anger, they are perceived as more credible and influential, whereas angry women are seen as more emotional and less confident. The research has implications for women's ability to exert influence in various settings, including politics and the workplace.
A new study has pinpointed the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) as a critical brain region responsible for coordinating punishment decisions made by judges and juries. The DLPFC integrates information from other parts of the brain to determine punishment, with disruption leading to reduced punishments for morally responsible agents.
Research using photos and sentencing data from Florida inmates found that those perceived as less trustworthy on their face received death sentences, even after adjusting for other factors. The study highlights the influence of facial biases in decision-making processes, particularly in high-stakes situations like capital punishment.
Three winners of the 2015 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists are recognized for their pioneering work in neuroscience, sustainable energy, and wireless networks. Dr. Christopher Chang, a chemist, has made discoveries in both fields, while Dr. Edward Chang, a neurosurgeon, mapped the neural code for human language processing...
A study found that women tolerate unattractive men up to a point but shun them if they misbehave. The 'devil effect' magnifies the negative impact of unattractiveness when combined with social norm violations.
A Kansas State University study found that individuals with a strong belief in pure evil are more likely to support harsh sentences, including life in prison without parole and the death penalty. This belief overrides stereotypes about the offender's character, suggesting that perceived retribution and demonization play a significant r...
A study by Hamerman and Morewedge found that people rely on superstitious behavior to achieve performance goals, such as winning a game or getting good grades. However, this behavior does not affect learning goals, like mastering a musical piece.
Researchers recommend increasing documentation of racial disparities in policing and trial outcomes to prevent inequality. They also suggest implementing bias training and promoting institutional diversity to reduce racial biases in legal decision-making.
Carola Lentz's book 'Land, Mobility, and Belonging in the West African Savanna' analyzes narratives and rituals used by Dagara immigrants to legitimize property claims. The research highlights the importance of controversies over land ownership and its impact on immigrant settlers' legitimacy.
A new study by NYU researchers reveals that individuals tend to prioritize restoring what they've lost rather than punishing an offender. When directly affected, people show a strong preference for compensation, whereas as third-party observers, they become more punitive.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommend best practices for law enforcement agencies and courts to improve the accuracy of eyewitness identifications. Research has shown that factors such as dim lighting, brief viewing times, and biases can influence people's perceptions, leading to mistaken identifications.
The use of genetic evidence in courts holds potential for assisting with judgments on criminal behavior, but also raises concerns about misinterpretation and misuse. Experts emphasize the need for careful evaluation to ensure that conclusions drawn from genetic data reflect valid science.
Researchers found that overconfidence in judgments can lead to underestimating the uncertainty of everyday situations. People tend to adjust their estimates based on feedback, but not enough when they have actual knowledge.
Timothy Berners-Lee, British man and inventor of HTML language, receives the Queen Elizabeth Prize for his groundbreaking contributions to the development of the World Wide Web. The prize is the most highly endowed award in engineering science worldwide.
A study found that police officers perceived physically attractive women as more guilty in domestic violence cases, whereas unattractive women were seen as less culpable. The researchers suggest that this perception is linked to societal stereotypes of battered women and sexism.
Geetha Srinivasan wins prestigious L'Oréal-UNESCO UK and Ireland Fellowship to continue research on enabling biomedical applications of ionic liquids. The £15,000 award supports flexible financial help for her work, promoting women's participation in science.
Researchers discovered that people are equally good at finding the right balance between task completion time and reward points, regardless of task complexity. This suggests that humans may not be intrinsically bad or good at making decisions, but rather capable of adapting to different situations.
A Brazilian law change enabled banks to sell repossessed cars quickly, encouraging them to offer better terms and increasing lending to riskier borrowers. The 'democratization of credit' resulted in more consumers buying newer, more expensive cars.
Experts discuss how advances in neuroscience affect the judicial system, from challenging legal policies to aiding in diagnoses of psychological conditions. Brain maturity is a critical issue in assessing teenage crimes, while addiction affects sentencing decisions.
Ronald Rudin, a history professor at Concordia University, has been awarded a Trudeau Fellowship to propel his research on Quebec and Acadian identity. He will use the funding to continue making the past relevant to future generations through innovative storytelling methods.
Hypothetical questions used in jury selection and political polling can create bias or entrench existing beliefs. Researchers found that pre-trial questioning can actually introduce bias, making it essential to recognize the potential for influence.
Research suggests that eyewitness identifications and expert testimony are often unreliable due to bias. Alternative methods like the PEACE model can reduce false confessions. Juries are largely effective at considering evidence, despite implicit biases.
A study from North Carolina State University found that laughter can be used strategically to control communication and affect group dynamics in serious settings. Laughter was used by jurors to release tension and acknowledge errors, facilitating the decision-making process.
Researchers found mortality rates 3-5 times higher than sub-Saharan Africa average, with 81% forced to flee homes since 2002. High percentages reported traumatic events and symptoms consistent with depression and anxiety. The study informs aid programs, security sector reforms and accountability processes.
Professor Michael Graetzel receives Millennium Technology Prize for his groundbreaking work on dye-sensitized solar cells, a cost-effective and versatile form of solar energy. The award recognizes his contributions to developing this technology and unlocking safer, more efficient batteries and carbon-free energy storage.
A Stanford law professor is examining the role of brain scans in court trials, revealing that defense attorneys are more likely to use this type of evidence than prosecutors. The use of neuroscience evidence can be a double-edged sword, potentially leading to both empathy and convictions.
A new study published in The Journal of Law and Economics found that physicians cut back their workload by almost two hours each week when the expected liability risk increases by 10 percent. This represents a significant impact, equivalent to one out of every 35 physicians retiring without a replacement.
A meta-analysis of 50 experiments found that consumers generally respond positively to having many choices, with a
A new study investigates the effects of the Khmer Rouge trials on Cambodians, finding that while most believe justice will be served, nearly 90% experience painful memories. The trials' impact on mental health remains uncertain, with higher rates of PTSD among those who remember torture and murder.
A new study finds that while most Cambodians believe the Khmer Rouge trials will deliver justice, over 87% of people who experienced torture during the regime say the trials will rekindle painful memories. The trial's impact on mental health is still unknown.
A professor of political science argues for a national policy on culture in the legal system. She proposes three conditions to reduce false claims of cultural defense, including membership in the ethnic group, tradition adherence, and influence on actions.
Research reveals juries are often less diverse than surrounding communities due to underrepresentation in key groups. This can lead to a loss of confidence in the fairness and legitimacy of the legal system. In contrast, diverse juries tend to have more thorough decision-making processes.
New research in Psychological Science found that cleanliness significantly influences moral judgment, with participants exercising less severe judgments after washing their hands. The study suggests that our intuition and subconscious feelings of 'cleanliness' play a role in shaping our perception of right and wrong.
Researchers at the University of Washington found that 10-month-old infants who used a plastic cane to retrieve a toy were better able to understand another person's goal than those who only watched. The study suggests that active, hands-on experience is more effective for learning than observation.
Researchers found that defense lawyers using complicated language during interrogations increased guilty verdicts by 2.16 times, according to a study analyzing 223 child abuse case transcripts. The study, published in Law and Human Behavior, highlights the potential impact of questioning techniques on trial outcomes.
A study of over 3,000 jurors found that neither gender nor demographic characteristics influenced juror satisfaction with the trial experience. Both men and women reported experiencing strong emotions during their trials, challenging the idea that deliberation favors men over women.
The BBVA Foundation Award for Conservation Biology recognizes Harold Mooney and Peter Raven for their contributions to understanding the evolutionary and co-evolutionary processes that shape plant diversity. Their work has shifted the focus of conservation biology from species-centered approaches to ecosystems and services provided to ...
Researchers discovered that people from different cultures use their brains differently to solve visual perceptual tasks. East Asians and Americans showed distinct patterns of brain activation when performing absolute and relative judgments.
Jurors presented with gruesome evidence are more likely to convict, a study finds. The evidence can influence jurors' decisions at an unconscious level, leading to unfair outcomes for defendants.
A study using high-speed videography and neural recordings reveals that cortical neurons' firing patterns can predict the texture identification decisions of rats. The findings shed light on the neural mechanisms underlying tactile sensory discrimination.
A study by Dr. Thomas Brewer found that blacks and whites give mitigation the same level of attention in most capital cases, but black jurors are significantly more open to mitigating evidence when a black defendant is facing killing a white victim.
A recent study investigated how judges and jurors make collective decisions, revealing that simple voting procedures are often preferred over more nuanced approaches. The findings suggest that groups tend to favor quick decisions, even if they lead to inconsistent outcomes.
A Northwestern University study found that juries give wrong verdicts in at least one out of eight cases, with agreement rates between judges and jurors varying between 77-80%. The study uses statistical analysis to estimate the accuracy of jury verdicts, suggesting that juries may be less accurate than judges in certain cases.
The NWO Spinoza prize is awarded to Dutch researchers who make groundbreaking contributions to their field. This year's winners are Prof. Deirdre Curtin (law), Prof. Marcel Dicke (ecological entomology), Prof. Leo Kouwenhoven (physics), and Prof. Wil Roebroeks (archaeology), each receiving €1.5 million.
A recent study by University of Missouri-Columbia law professor Philip Peters found that juries often side with doctors over patients in medical malpractice cases. The research suggests that defendants' hired experts are more successful at persuading juries, leading to better outcomes for them.
A recent study by Daniel Lassiter found that videotaped confessions focusing exclusively on the suspect can lead judges and law enforcement officers to consider the statements as voluntary. This 'camera-perspective bias' affects trial participants' perceptions, potentially influencing wrongful convictions. The research aims to prevent ...
Juries are more likely to acquit defendants in rape cases where the victim was intoxicated, even if they were spiked with date rape drugs. The research found that jurors often relied on stereotypes and misunderstood the effects of Rohypnol, leading to inadequate convictions.
A recent analysis of trial records reveals that punitive damages awards have not increased dramatically and are highly correlated to compensatory damages awarded by judges and juries.
A study of 200 participants on 29 mock juries found that diverse groups performed better than all-white groups in several measures. Whites in diverse panels cited more case facts and made fewer errors in discussing evidence.
Diverse mock juries showed fewer errors and greater willingness to discuss race-related issues compared to all-White groups. White participants in diverse juries were also more willing to discuss racism and cited case facts accurately. This suggests that diversity may lead to more thorough and competent decision-making.
A recent study found that sexual harassment cases governed by the 1991 Act are awarded statistically significant higher damages awards than preceding cases. The inclusion of state law tort and anti-discrimination claims drives up damages.
A new study by Queen's University psychologist Dr. Flanagan and international team reveals that humans use sensory cancellation to filter out self-motions, reducing touch perception. This mechanism is crucial for distinguishing between internal and external stimuli, and may underlie certain delusions in schizophrenia.
A study by Rice University economists found that high private sector lawyer salaries in certain regions affect the likelihood of federal prosecutors taking drug cases to trial. This occurs because government positions are less competitive, leading experienced lawyers to seek trials to gain valuable courtroom experience.