This study determined a group of National Association of Medical Examiner pathologists have a predilection to determine death of black children 5x more likely as homicide compared to dead white kids. NAME also takes the position that the ABFO bitemarker group should be the only odontologists hired for dental identification. They ding their accredited ME/Coroner membership for non-compliance. Both biases are unacceptable..
Cognitive bias in forensic pathology decisions – Dror – – Journal of Forensic Sciences – Wiley Online Library
— Read on onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1556-4029.14697
In a 2017 study, similar research of ME attitudes revealed strong feelings of infallibility, a resistance to blind-testing of theories, and deniability of personal bias. The paper applied phrase “bias blind spot” which the MEs acknowledge bias in others but not themselves.
Cognitive bias and blindness: A global survey of forensic science examiners.
Ouch.
FORENSICS and LAW in FOCUS @ CSIDDS | News and Trends 