ADTC | ADTC - Association of Defense Trial Counsel

ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCE PRESENTION – NOVEMBER 10, 2020 @ 12:00 P.M.

Please join us for a free presentation by Dr. Christy Cloninger who is a senior scientist in Exponent’s human factors practice and specializes in the study of visual and auditory sensation and perception and Dr. Suzanne Smyth who is a managing engineer in Exponent’s thermal sciences practice and specializes in the investigation and prevention of fires and explosions in industrial, commercial, and residential settings. The presentation is titled “Perception and expert biases – analyzing testimony and critiquing opinions” Dr. Christy Cloninger is a senior scientist in Exponent’s human factors practice and specializes in the study of visual and auditory sensation and perception.

This presentation will cover how biases affect witness testimony and expert investigations with a focus on critiquing expert methodology using the concepts of expectation and confirmation bias. Witness testimony may conflict with physical evidence, other witnesses, and past testimony. We will discuss the science of witness perception and memory as well as present a framework for systematically addressing contradictions. Experts may also be subject to biases affecting their investigative methodologies. We will discuss expectation and confirmation biases, their appearance in standards (such as NFPA 921), and their use in critiquing expert opinions.