{"id":352308,"date":"2023-12-12T13:47:22","date_gmt":"2023-12-12T18:47:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/scientific-and-forensic-evidence.html"},"modified":"2023-12-12T13:47:22","modified_gmt":"2023-12-12T18:47:22","slug":"scientific-and-forensic-evidence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/scientific-and-forensic-evidence.html","title":{"rendered":"Scientific and Forensic Evidence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Scientific and Forensic Evidence<\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Scientific evidence and forensic science establish facts through science. For example, DNA evidence can help establish the identity of persons at a crime scene. A forensic scientist has the expertise to develop and apply DNA evidence.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Scientific and forensic evidence are two types of opinion evidence used during a criminal trial. Expert witnesses offer an opinion based on their expertise.<\/p>\r\n

For example, a blood splatter analyst can offer an opinion on blood splatter evidence. The expert witness’s role is to help the trier of fact (jury or judge) understand the scientific evidence with an expert opinion.<\/p>\r\n

The following provides an overview of scientific and forensic evidence<\/a> used in criminal trials.<\/p>\r\n

What Is Scientific Evidence?<\/h2>\r\n

These types of evidence often reveal hidden clues about a crime or criminal event. Like other types of evidence, scientific and forensic evidence must meet specific rules and standards before a court of law will admit it into evidence.<\/p>\r\n

Determining Admissibility of Scientific Evidence<\/h2>\r\n

In Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals<\/i><\/a>, the U.S. Supreme Court established a framework for the review and admission of scientific evidence.<\/p>\r\n

Under Daubert<\/i>, the Federal Rules of Evidence provide the standards for admitting scientific evidence in a federal trial. Judges must make a preliminary assessment of the scientific evidence before the jury hears the evidence.<\/p>\r\n

The Supreme Court held as follows:<\/p>\r\n