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New Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence Published
September 30, 2011
A new edition of the Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, an aid to judges who must consider scientific evidence at trials, has been released by the National Research Council. Developed in collaboration with the Federal Judicial Center, the new edition replaces one published in 2000.
The reference manual is intended to assist judges with the management of cases involving complex scientific and technical evidence, but is not intended to instruct judges on what evidence should be admissible.
“In order to fulfill our responsibility as gatekeepers, judges must now have a basic understanding of the complexities of modern science, including scientific reasoning, principles, and procedures,” said Judge Gladys Kessler of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, a co-chair of the committee that oversaw production of the manual.
“Our ultimate goal, of course, is to help juries render verdicts that are based on scientifically sound expert testimony,” she said.