Is bias research biased?

Is bias research biased?

The question “Is bias research biased?” addresses a fundamental challenge within forensic science and related fields. Bias research often hinges on claims that "everyone thinks they aren’t biased," a statement that risks creating a logical trap where denial or admission of bias is interpreted as evidence of its existence. This circular reasoning introduces an epistemological problem, as the concept becomes unfalsifiable. Bias research frequently aims to infer bias retrospectively by identifying inconsistencies in conclusions, suggesting a correlation between observed variances and biased reasoning. However, without a clear causal mechanism, these interpretations risk conflating unrelated variables and relying on ambiguous definitions, such as “cognitive bias,” which often lacks precision. This ambiguity weakens the validity of bias claims and leaves it vulnerable to substantive criticism.

Challenging these claims further, the broader replication crisis plaguing scientific fields underscores how bias research might overstate its conclusions. Issues like low sample sizes, selective statistical practices, and using inexperienced test groups inflate the significance of findings, drawing parallels to broader scientific shortcomings. Additionally, solutions like Linear Sequential Unmasking (LSU) lack empirical support in real-world forensic applications, raising doubts about its practicality. Studies show that the effects predicted by LSU are not consistently observed, revealing limitations in implementing policies based on uncertain evidence. The complexity of forensic examinations makes isolating variables difficult, raising questions about the external validity of findings. The tension between internal control and real-world applicability suggests that the credibility of bias research is contingent on rigorous methodologies and clear definitions. Ultimately, the skepticism toward broad claims of bias reflects a philosophical critique of overstated findings and an emphasis on maintaining scientific integrity through clarity and reproducibility.

This video, based on a presentation I gave at the Indiana Division of the International Association for Identification explores these topics and more in depth.


Haren Surroch

Chemistry and Forensic Science Professional | Research Enthusiast

3 个月

Thanks for sharing this insightful article, Boyd Baumgartner!

Larry Leibrock

eDiscovery Consultant - eForensics | Complex Cyber-Enabled Investigations - Expert Witness Cybersecurity - Investigations in End-Points and Critical Infrastructures - Mobile Devices (Opinions Expressed are Mine)

4 个月

I enjoyed reading this article

Larry Leibrock

eDiscovery Consultant - eForensics | Complex Cyber-Enabled Investigations - Expert Witness Cybersecurity - Investigations in End-Points and Critical Infrastructures - Mobile Devices (Opinions Expressed are Mine)

4 个月

Very helpful

George Reis

Owner, Imaging Forensics

4 个月

I can hardly wait to watch this Boyd! This is a great topic, and I am certain that you have dived deeply into the subject.

Pat Wertheim

Latent Print and Crime Scene expert

4 个月

In the first highly publicized bias study, the immediate impression I had was that the six subjects were subjected to extreme bias by the researchers when they were told that the comparison had been accepted in the broad fingerprint community as an erroneous identification before they were shown the prints. A small study Glen Langenburg and I conducted with three test groups at an IAI conference followed by an additional test group of forensics students in college, indicated that proficient latent print examiners will push back strongly if you try to bias them. "Risk Averse," as you point out in your talk. And while you can show me anecdotal cases of biased identifications, I have seen no real evidence that bias is a significant factor in the overall practice of latent print comparisons. The greater problem there is weak examiners who can be pressured into claiming an identification they don't believe in the first place. That was a greater problem in the old days when a detective could come back into the ID Unit and stand over the ID Tech's shoulder urging the identification while the ID Tech was doing the comparison. My personal opinion is that the "problem" of bias is terribly overblown by researchers with their own agendas.

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Boyd Baumgartner的更多文章

  • Everything you wanted to know about fingerprints*

    Everything you wanted to know about fingerprints*

    *But were afraid to ask The video covers the following aspects of fingerprints: Formation of Fingerprints "The…

    4 条评论
  • Lost In Translation: Tongue Tied Technical Discourse

    Lost In Translation: Tongue Tied Technical Discourse

    I recently became familiar with a technical document released in Oct 2024 by the Friction Ridge Subcommittee of the…

    8 条评论
  • Extending Photoshop with AI: Counting Minutiae

    Extending Photoshop with AI: Counting Minutiae

    I was recently verifying a rather large case. As I was going over the fingerprint charts I noticed something.

    4 条评论
  • I, robot

    I, robot

    What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. - Juliet Capulet The attempt to…

    16 条评论
  • Leftover Science: Using AI to re-analyze data sets

    Leftover Science: Using AI to re-analyze data sets

    I was fortunate to run across a new study titled Capturing Fingerprint Expertise With Protocol Analysis, by Brooklyn…

  • IDENT: Intelligent Digital Examination and Notation Tool

    IDENT: Intelligent Digital Examination and Notation Tool

    After my last foray into Photoshop software hacks using AI, I got to thinking. What if, instead of just limiting myself…

  • Have the OSACs been rendered obsolete by AI?

    Have the OSACs been rendered obsolete by AI?

    I've fully embraced our robot overlords more commonly referred to as AI. We're only one line into this article and I…

    17 条评论
  • Building Clarity Maps with AI in Photoshop

    Building Clarity Maps with AI in Photoshop

    It’s AI model release season, so I thought I’d pick up on something I like to do, which is use AI to create code to…

  • Don't hate the player, hate the game

    Don't hate the player, hate the game

    ‘Don’t hate the player, hate the game’ - Ice T I’ve been in the fingerprint industry since 2004, the same year that the…

    4 条评论
  • ...and nothing but the truth

    ...and nothing but the truth

    I'm putting together a presentation and I came across the following snippet from a Journal of Forensic Science from…

    2 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了