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Abstract:
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Statisticians have made critical contributions in many areas of science, including forensic science. Given the impact that these contributions can have, both in convicting culprits and preventing wrongful accusations, as well as the challenging problems that the field presents, statisticians can make a real difference in strengthening the integrity of our criminal justice system. I will discuss three recent examples from comparative bullet lead analysis, the Anthrax letters, and eyewitness identification. I also will suggest some ways in which we can encourage forensic scientists and their "customers" (usually legal personnel) to better distinguish between "trustworthy" and "questionable" evidence.
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