How Do Crime Labs Translate Forensic Evidence into Proof? - With Beth Bechky

Explore the complex world of forensic science in this 57-minute lecture by Professor Beth Bechky. Delve into the challenges faced by forensic scientists as they strive to deliver unbiased evidence under intense pressure. Learn about various forensic techniques, including DNA profiling, bullet comparisons, fingerprint analysis, and shoeprint examinations. Discover the intricate relationship between science and law, and how forensic evidence is translated for use in police investigations and courtrooms. Gain insights from Bechky's 18-month fieldwork in a major metropolitan crime lab, uncovering the strategies forensic analysts employ to navigate tensions between scientific objectivity and legal demands. Understand the culture of anticipation, hedging expertise, and translation work that shape forensic science practices.

Intro
Crime Dramas
What is Forensic Science
Lab Technicians
Forensic Science
Science and Law
Forensic Science in the US
The Arc of Forensic Science
Toxicologists
Narcotics Analysis
DNA Profiling
Firearms Examination
Tensions Between Science and Law
The Courtroom
Analyst Tensions
Culture of anticipation
Strategies for translation
Hedging expertise
Rehearsals
Training Sessions
Pretrial Meetings
Resisting Requests
Translation Work