Center Court

A newsletter for the court community
from the National Center for State Courts

Vol. 6, No. 4 - Fall 2003

Project Examines Jurors' Understanding of DNA Evidence

While DNA is helping to solve many mysteries, it’s created a new one: Is the complex science too intricate for jurors to grasp under current jury guidelines? 

Judge B. Michael Dann is searching for that answer. Dann, a retired Arizona Superior Court judge and a former scholar-in-residence at the National Center for State Courts, is conducting a yearlong project to examine whether three jury trial innovations enhance jurors’ understanding of DNA evidence and testimony without compromising the integrity of trials.  The project is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Justice and supported by the National Center.

These innovations are being tested through 60 mock jury trials using various combinations of the innovations. Some mock juries will serve as control groups by hearing only the case facts, DNA evidence, arguments by counsel, and judicial instructions.  The other experimental groups will be presented that information, but will also try one of the three innovations to improve their understanding of the evidence. One experimental group will hear the trial using all three jury innovations. The mock jurors’ deliberations will be videotaped and analyzed for accuracy.

This project marks the first time in which criminal justice professionals will receive the necessary data to determine whether these innovations in jury service truly enhance a juror’s comprehension of complex DNA evidence. Results will be shared through various outlets, including publications and conference presentations.

  Last updated [09/27/06 ]