Forensic science in the practice of German courts - Detailseite

The rise of forensic science in the nineteenth century led to an increasing use of witnesses with specialist knowledge in criminal trials. Forensic experts testified in courts next to lay witnesses. Recent developments showed that forensic analyses can deliver erroneous conclusions or can be misinterpreted. On the other hand they are also used to exonerate defendants in post-conviction procedures. The role of forensic science will be investigated in a selection of judgments rendered in German courts from 1879 until nowadays. The following questions will be addressed: Is a case determined by the results presented by a forensic expert? How are discrepancies between the deposition of lay and expert witnesses treated by judges? Students will become familiar with the phases of a research project; they will present their results in scholarly communications.