A step towards increased understanding by non-scientists of expert reports: recommendations for readability

Abstract

Communication about forensic science to non-scientists is a key aspect of the role of forensic scientists – and one that poses significant challenges. Police, lawyers, and judges read expert reports written by forensic scientists, and jurors usually have the content of such reports explained to them in court. Readability can be defined as the ease with which something can be read as a function of the way it is written. This paper draws on past studies of the readability of Australian expert reports of DNA analysis and forensic comparison of glass, and conclusions written as part of an international proficiency test of forensic comparison of glass. The purpose of the paper is twofold: (1) to alert scientists to the most common readability issues identified in the studies; and (2) to suggest solutions to these readability issues drawn from theory and past research. The suggested solutions may be helpful to case-reporting scientists in affirming their current practices or in modifying those practices to enhance the readability of their expert reports for non-scientist report readers.

Keywords:

• forensic science
• expert reports
• expert opinion
• statement writing
• readability

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the supervisors of the research, Associate Professor Roberta Julian, Dr Nenagh Kemp, Professor Paul Kirkbride, and Dr Sally Kelty for their support. Thank you to Ms Kahlee Redman for helpful comments on an earlier draft of the paper. Thanks to the laboratory directors and staff in each of the participating jurisdictions for their support of the project. A version of this paper was presented at the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society 22nd International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences in Adelaide in September 2014.

Additional information

Funding

The conduct of the three studies of readability referred to in the paper was made possible by the provision of financial support to the author through an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) scholarship. The APA was augmented by funds from the industry sponsor, Australian Federal Police (AFP) Forensics. Although AFP Forensics was involved in the selection of the broad research topic, the funding sources did not participate in the collection, analysis or interpretation of the data, the writing of the manuscript, or the decision to submit it for publication. The views expressed in the article do not necessarily reflect those of AFP Forensics.