Improving Juror Comprehension of Forensic Testimony and Its Effects on Decision-Making and Evidence Evaluation

This proposal seeks to study efforts to improve juror comprehension of forensic instructions. Specifically, it will test through a randomized controlled trial if an instructional video on forensic testimony, both alone and paired with conventional instructions, can enhance juror comprehension. The study will be implemented in the Denver District Court and Florida’s Sixth Judicial Circuit Court. The applicant will create vignettes of mock trials with 8 combinations in a factorial design, differentiating treatment of receiving judicial instructions, receiving the instructional video, receiving both, or neither (control group). The applicant plans to recruit at least 351 potential jurors for the study and randomly assign them to one of the treatment conditions or the control condition. After participating in the treatment, the mock jurors will fill out a survey and render a judgment.

"Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). CA/NCF