Café Inquiry (Online) – Forensic Pseudoscience

This event is held online. (Click the button to join the Zoom meeting.)

Solving crimes using forensic evidence is widely accepted, both in real life and in books, movies and television shows. But are these forensic techniques really able to provide irrefutable evidence of someone’s guilt? Are they grounded in actual science? In many or even most cases the answer to the previous questions is a resounding “no”! Join us for the next Café Inquiry as we look at various forensic techniques and what the scientific evidence says about them, and the potential and actual harm that results from relying too heavily on these methods. For those who are interested in exploring this subject ahead of the meeting, links to some background materials follow. This 15-minute episode of Brian Dunning’s Skeptoid podcast looks at the problems associated with various forensic techniques. The transcript is included with the link. John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight takes a jaundiced  look at forensic science in this 19-minute segment.  This shortish article from The Boston Review looks at the crisis in forensic science with examples of some of the harm that has resulted. Finally, if you want a really in-depth look at the problem and some of the obstacles to reform, this lengthy article from The Intercept is for you!

Café Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic, followed by casual discussion.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated, but not expected.

Attendees are able to future propose topics which would align with Michigan Humanist’s purpose: from atheism, agnosticism, humanism, secularism, and freethinking to broader subjects in science and humanities, such as religion, philosophy, social issues, politics, evolution, morality, ethics, and psychology.

Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) meets each month on the second and fourth Sunday.

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Michigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event.

Michigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Critiques on views and claims based on merit are allowed, but not attacks on individuals who hold other perspectives.

Any person engaging in disruptive behavior or harassment will be asked to leave, and may be banned from future events pending the severity of the action. Please speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated.