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2021 Perception & Expert Biases Zoom CLE
Tuesday, June 22, 2021, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CDT
Category: Events

Perception & Expert Biases: Analyzing Testimony & Critiquing Opinions

June 22, 2021

Sponsored by Exponent

This presentation will cover how biases affect witness testimony and expert investigations with a focus on critiquing expert methodology using the concepts of expectation and confirmation bias. Witness testimony may conflict with physical evidence, other witnesses, and past testimony. We will discuss the science of witness perception and memory as well as present a framework for systematically addressing contradictions. Experts may also be subject to biases affecting their investigative methodologies. We will discuss expectation and confirmation biases, their appearance in standards (such as NFPA 921), and their use in critiquing expert opinions.


Speakers


Dr. Christy Cloninger is a member of Exponent’s Human Factors practice based in Chicago.  Dr. Cloninger specializes in the study of visual and auditory sensation and perception. She has a background in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience investigating human motor behavior, motion processing and sensory perception using eye-tracking, behavioral measurements, and computational methods. She currently applies her expertise to investigate human factors in transportation accidents, warning compliance, as well as slips, trips and falls.


Dr. Suzanne Smyth is a member of Exponent’s Thermal Sciences Practice based in Chicago. Dr. Smyth has over ten years of experience consulting on a variety of complex mechanical engineering problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings. She specializes in the application of fire science, combustion, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics to failure analysis, failure prevention, and risk assessment. Her expertise has been used in a variety of litigation matters as well as in product and process safety assessments and consulting.
This
presentation will cover how biases affect witness testimony and expert investigations with a focus on critiquing expert methodology using the concepts of expectation and confirmation bias. Witness testimony may conflict with physical evidence,other witnesses, and past testimony. We will discuss the science of witness perception and memory as well as present a framework for systematically addressing contradictions. Experts may also be subject to biases affecting their investigative methodologies. We will discuss expectation and confirmation biases,their appearance in standards (such as NFPA921),and their use in critiquing expert opinions.

This event is $15 for members and $25 for non-members.

Register here!

 


A full refund will be given up to a month before the event. A 50% refund will be given up to the week before the event. Refunds will not be given a week from the event. 

 


Contact: Kimberly Zibilich - [email protected] - (504) 208-5510