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"The eves are not responsible when the mind does the seeing. " - Publilius Syrus
Introduction
Confirmation bias is when people observe more, give extra emphasis to. or intentionally look for evidence that would validate their existing beliefs and expectations and are likely to excuse or completely ignore evidence that could reject their beliefs. As such, it can be seen as a type of bias in gathering and analyzing evidence [1]. This type of bias includes scientists, who pride themselves on their objectivity [2].
Scientists and researchers have recognized for centuries that bias influences human thought and behavior. In 1620, a philosopher named Francis Bacon found that once people adopt an opinion, they will look for anything to support and agree with that opinion. Bacon also noted that it is a "peculiar human tendency" to be more moved by positives than by negatives [3]. In 1852, a journalist named Charles Mackay stated, "When men wish to construct or support a theory, how they torture facts into their service!" [3] However, in spite of all the previous work on bias, a study completed in 1959 by psychologist Peter C'. Wason was considered by most as the beginning for much of the work on confirmation bias. "Confirmation bias is perhaps the best known and most widely accepted notion of inferential error to come out of the literature on human reasoning." |4]
To begin this study of biases, ethics, and mistakes, there are a few questions that need to be asked:
1. Should irrelevant information or opinions about the case be shared with the analyst prior to examining the evidence? Does confirmation bias limit itself only to verifications?
2. In reviewing other analysts' work, is there an analyst who is correct 99.9% of the time? Is there an analyst with consistent errors? Is his or her work reviewed the same?
3. Would there be more time spent on a verification from another agency, a co-worker, or a supervisor? Are the same criteria for verifying used for everyone?
4. When a print is identified, is there ever a question of identity prior to turning the case in for verification? What if, after matching the latent print to the suspect, it was found that the DNA in the case...