Neuroscientists in court

Nat Rev Neurosci. 2013 Oct;14(10):730-6. doi: 10.1038/nrn3585. Epub 2013 Sep 12.

Abstract

Neuroscientific evidence is increasingly being offered in court cases. Consequently, the legal system needs neuroscientists to act as expert witnesses who can explain the limitations and interpretations of neuroscientific findings so that judges and jurors can make informed and appropriate inferences. The growing role of neuroscientists in court means that neuroscientists should be aware of important differences between the scientific and legal fields, and, especially, how scientific facts can be easily misunderstood by non-scientists, including judges and jurors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Expert Testimony / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Humans
  • Neurosciences / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Research / legislation & jurisprudence*