Teaching lawyers about forensic science

It is necessary to develop the evaluation skills of the legal profession in relation to forensic sciences in order for effective and accurate use of s cience based evidence within the legal process. It is our opinion that fore nsic science is not merely a matter of following a technical protocol to ac hieve a result but incorporates a thought process involving an appreciation of the relevant of scientific findings, their limitations and significance . It is therefore important that these processes are conveyed to the legal profession and such information can form the basis of re-examination of for ensic evidence. Potential methods for the development of these necessary sk ills are discussed and it is suggested that a trial court room scenario is an effective means of communicating methods of examination and re-examinati on of scientific evidence. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All right s reserved.