Psychology of Forensics

Most people believe that forensic science is an exact science that can always find the right perpetrator. But is that actually true? Today’s expert explains the reality behind fingerprint analysis, DNA, and other forensic sciences. Professor Brandon L. Garrett shares how a variety of cognitive biases and our basic psychology can cause crime labs to make devastating errors that destroy lives. Not only can innocent people be falsely imprisoned, but the guilty can go free and possibly commit future crimes. For a transcript or to learn more, please visit the official episode page here. About the Guest Brandon L. Garrett is the L. Neil Williams Professor of Law at Duke University School of Law where he directs the Wilson Center for Science and Justice. His most recent book is “Autopsy of a Crime Lab: Exposing the Flaws in Forensics,” available from University of California Press. His previous books include “Convicting the Innocent: Where Criminal Prosecutions Go Wrong,” “Too Big to Jail: How Prosecutors Compromise with Corporations,” and “End of Its Rope: How Killing the Death Penalty Can Revive Criminal Justice.” About the Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard lives with bipolar disorder and is a nationally recognized speaker and podcast host. He’s the author of the book, “Mental Illness Is an Asshole and Other Observations,” available from Amazon; signed copies available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit gabehoward.com.