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"Cannot Decide": The Fine Line Between Appropriate Inconclusive Determinations Versus Unjustifiably Deciding Not To
Itiel E Dror1, Glenn Langenburg2
1University College London, London, UK.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|July 6, 2018
Summary
Inconclusive decisions are valid outcomes of human cognition interacting with data. This study presents a cognitive model to determine when these decisions are justified, particularly in forensic science.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Forensic Science
Background:
- Decisions are often viewed as binary choices, but 'inconclusive' outcomes are common.
- Understanding the cognitive processes behind inconclusive decisions is crucial for expert domains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a cognitive model for analyzing inconclusive decisions.
- To identify circumstances where inconclusive decisions are justified or unjustified.
- To address limitations of categorical decision-making with continuous data.
Main Methods:
- Development of a cognitive model integrating data and human cognition.
- Analysis of decision-making processes in expert domains, focusing on forensic fingerprinting.
- Exploration of the continuum of data versus categorical decision-making.
Main Results:
- The cognitive model differentiates justified from unjustified inconclusive decisions.
- Identified conditions under which caution and metacognition warrant inconclusive outcomes.
- Highlighted problems with categorical approaches to continuous forensic data.
Conclusions:
- Inconclusive decisions can be scientifically valid and reflect appropriate caution.
- The proposed model offers a framework for evaluating decision-making in expert fields.
- Solutions developed for forensic fingerprinting have broader applicability.
Keywords:
cognitive forensicsdeciding not to decidedecision modelsfingerprint conclusionsforensic decision-makingforensic sciencehuman factorsinconclusive determinationsMore Related Videos
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