Towards cumulative forensic science: a commentary on ‘Methodological problems in every black-box study of forensic firearm comparisons’

Jason M. Chin; Bethany Growns; Kylie E. Hunter; Adele Quigley-McBride; Rachel A. Searston; Stephanie Summersby; Matthew B. Thompson; Alice Towler

doi:10.1093/lpr/mgaf016

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Towards cumulative forensic science: a commentary on ‘Methodological problems in every black-box study of forensic firearm comparisons’

Journal article

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Towards cumulative forensic science: a commentary on ‘Methodological problems in every black-box study of forensic firearm comparisons’

Jason M. Chin, Bethany Growns, Kylie E. Hunter, Adele Quigley-McBride, Rachel A. Searston, Stephanie Summersby, Matthew B. Thompson and Alice Towler

Law, probability and risk, Vol.25(1), mgaf016

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/lpr/mgaf016

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Abstract

experimental design

firearms examination

meta-analysis

open science

research synthesis

scientific validity

Cuellar et al. recently found that methodological flaws in black-box studies of forensic firearms analysis mean that validity cannot be determined from those studies. Their paper can also be read to indicate that the presence of some of these flaws means that the associated study is so unsound that it can only be used to plan future properly designed validation studies. We seek to clarify that each of the identified flaws, taken individually, does not necessarily prevent studies from contributing to a strong, cumulative research basis for forensic practices. That said, we agree that the overall body of research must avoid the flaws identified by Cuellar et al., and, based on their analysis, it appears the overall body of research has not avoided these flaws. We go on to suggest practices that can help ensure forensic science studies can efficiently and safely build on each other.

Details

Title: Towards cumulative forensic science: a commentary on ‘Methodological problems in every black-box study of forensic firearm comparisons’
Authors/Creators: Jason M. Chin - College of Law, Governance, and Policy, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
Bethany Growns - University of Canterbury
Kylie E. Hunter - The University of Sydney
Adele Quigley-McBride - Simon Fraser University
Rachel A. Searston - University of Adelaide
Stephanie Summersby - Victoria Police
Matthew B. Thompson - Murdoch University, Centre for Biosecurity and One Health
Alice Towler - The University of Queensland
Publication Details: Law, probability and risk, Vol.25(1), mgaf016
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Number of pages: 12
Grant note: 24-UOC-058 / Royal Society (http://data.elsevier.com/vocabulary/SciValFunders/501100000288) IE230100380 / ARC Royal Society (http://data.elsevier.com/vocabulary/SciValFunders/501100000288)
Identifiers: 991005867293507891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Biosecurity and One Health; School of Psychology
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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