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12 May: Computer simulations are increasingly used to recreate crime scenes for jurors and a new study is examining whether they affect the delivery of justice. Researchers say initial findings indicate juror’s can be influenced, however sufficient judicial instruction can reduce any prejudicial effect the visual evidence may have.
On 22 and 23 January 2008 researchers staged a series of mock trials at the NSW Supreme Court, Sydney, to test the impact of high-tech evidence on jurors. Participants acting as mock jurors took part in a mini-trial, deliberated with fellow jurors and delivered a verdict.
During the mock trial, volunteers were exposed to simulation evidence which uses computer graphics to recreate the known facts of a crime. This type of evidence allows interaction by pausing, zooming in and replaying selected parts of the simulation.
“Technology is changing the face of Australia’s criminal justice system, but nobody really knows how. This project will answer that question,” project leader, University of Canberra criminologist Dr David Tait said.
The mock trials in Sydney comprised the final stage of a three stage project. Stage 1 was conducted to create fictional crime scenarios for the latter stages of the project. Stage 2 took place in Canberra and involved over 400 participants. This stage measured individual responses to computer simulated evidence and gathered information about jurors’ attitudes towards crime, the law and empathy.
The Juries and Interactive Visual Evidence Project (JIVE) is funded by the Australian Research Council. Dr Tait heads a team of project partners, including researchers from UNSW, Monash University, the University of Central Queensland, the University of Melbourne and industry partners, the Australian Federal Police, the ACT DPP, the AIJA, PTW Architects, Lyons Architects and Integrated Media.
The experiment aims to understand whether computer simulations can be used fairly or if they could prejudice the outcome of a trial, Dr Tait said.
Further investigation is expected to yield information that may impact on the way simulation-type evidence is utilised by the courts.
A feedback session featuring the preliminary results of the study will be held at the University of New South Wales on Thursday 15 May 3:30 – 5:00pm.
On 22 and 23 January 2008 researchers staged a series of mock trials at the NSW Supreme Court, Sydney, to test the impact of high-tech evidence on jurors. Participants acting as mock jurors took part in a mini-trial, deliberated with fellow jurors and delivered a verdict.
During the mock trial, volunteers were exposed to simulation evidence which uses computer graphics to recreate the known facts of a crime. This type of evidence allows interaction by pausing, zooming in and replaying selected parts of the simulation.
“Technology is changing the face of Australia’s criminal justice system, but nobody really knows how. This project will answer that question,” project leader, University of Canberra criminologist Dr David Tait said.
The mock trials in Sydney comprised the final stage of a three stage project. Stage 1 was conducted to create fictional crime scenarios for the latter stages of the project. Stage 2 took place in Canberra and involved over 400 participants. This stage measured individual responses to computer simulated evidence and gathered information about jurors’ attitudes towards crime, the law and empathy.
The Juries and Interactive Visual Evidence Project (JIVE) is funded by the Australian Research Council. Dr Tait heads a team of project partners, including researchers from UNSW, Monash University, the University of Central Queensland, the University of Melbourne and industry partners, the Australian Federal Police, the ACT DPP, the AIJA, PTW Architects, Lyons Architects and Integrated Media.
The experiment aims to understand whether computer simulations can be used fairly or if they could prejudice the outcome of a trial, Dr Tait said.
Further investigation is expected to yield information that may impact on the way simulation-type evidence is utilised by the courts.
A feedback session featuring the preliminary results of the study will be held at the University of New South Wales on Thursday 15 May 3:30 – 5:00pm.
