ABSTRACT
The interpretation of measurement results is not just a matter for scientists. Throughout society, people use measurements everyday. At the market, we weigh meat and produce to determine its cost. At home, we use a tape measure or yardstick to keep track of how quickly our children are growing. And in our car, we monitor the speedometer that continuously clocks our speed down the roadway. Each of these examples involves the use of a measurement result. When the results of measurements are relied upon by those who do not understand what they represent, though, the risk of mistaken judgment is greatly increased due to misunderstanding. This is a matter of particular concern in the criminal justice system where the results of forensic measurements are relied upon by legal professionals and lay jurors who generally lack the sophistication necessary to evaluate and weigh forensic evidence in an appropriate manner. Accordingly, the presentation of forensic measurement results must be done in a manner that conveys the conclusions that they support.
