The Importance of DNA Evidence to Juries in Criminal Trials

Abstract

This article draws upon interviews of real jurors in criminal trials in the Australian Capital Territory about scientific evidence and expert witnesses, which revealed that jurors' expectations of scientific evidence, particularly DNA profiling evidence, play an important role in determining whether or not the jurors, and juries, are able to comfortably deliver a guilty ***verdict or an acquittal. Where their expectations of DNA evidence are not met, high levels of juror frustration and speculation may culminate in hung juries.