Human Factors

Human Factors is a multidisciplinary field that examines ways in which human performance (e.g., the judgments of experts) can be influenced by cognitive, perceptual, organizational, social and cultural factors, and other human tendencies.  The Human Factors Subcommittee examined factors that influence the performance of forensic scientists as they draw conclusions from physical evidence and communicate their findings in the legal system and recommend policies and procedures to improve the performance of forensic laboratories and their personnel in the various roles they perform.  Specific areas of focus included minimizing cognitive bias, reducing the risk of human error, testing and evaluating human performance, and improving communication of scientific findings. 

Human Factors Subcommittee Members

Work Products Archive

Facilitating Research on Laboratory Performance
Initial Draft Views on Optimizing Human Performance in Crime Laboratories through Testing and Feedback (Introduced at NCFS Meeting #10 –June 20-21, 2016)
Adjudication Summary for Views on Facilitating Research on Laboratory Performance
Final Draft Views on Facilitating Research on Laboratory Performance
Views on Facilitating Research on Laboratory Performance (Adopted at NCFS Meeting #11 - September 13, 2016)

Ensuring Forensic Analysis is Based upon Task-Relevant Information
Initial Draft Views on Ensuring that Forensic Analysis is Based Upon Task-Relevant Information (Introduced at NCFS Meeting #7 – August 10-11, 2015)
Adjudication Summary of Views on Ensuring that Forensic Analysis is Based Upon Task-Relevant Information
Final Draft Views on Ensuring that Forensic Analysis is Based Upon Task-Relevant Information 
Views on Ensuring that Forensic Analysis is Based Upon Task-Relevant Information (Adopted at NCFS Meeting #8 - December 7-8, 2015)

Checklists
Initial Draft Views on Use of Checklists in Forensic Science (introduced at NCFS Meeting #11 - September 12-13, 2016)
Adjudication Summary for Views on Use of Checklists in Forensic Science
Final Draft Views on Use of Checklists in Forensic Science
Views on Use of Checklists in Forensic Science (Adopted at NCFS Meeting #12 - January 9, 2017)