Scientific Evidence and the Courts

On September 21 and 22, 2023, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), in collaboration with the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), will host “Scientific Evidence and the Courts” at AAAS headquarters in Washington, DC. This event will examine critical issues regarding the admission and use of scientific and technical findings in the United States justice system.  

The conference will mark the 100^th anniversary of Frye v. United States (1923) and the 30^th anniversary of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1993), two key federal court decisions on establishing a judge’s role as gatekeeper when determining the admissibility of scientific evidence and expert witness testimony at trial. Yet, application of the Frye or Daubert standard remains inconsistent across both federal and state courts, potentially allowing for unreliable evidence and testimony to enter trials, increasing the likelihood of unjust outcomes, such as wrongful convictions, and other violations of constitutional rights.

This event will be in-person with a livestream option for virtual attendees.

Registration rates are listed below.

The AAAS Center for Scientific Responsibility and Justice recognizes and celebrates the value that accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion bring to scientific knowledge and the scientific enterprise.

We welcome all who wish to engage in positive discussion and contribute their perspectives and expertise as participants and attendees examine the use of scientific and technical evidence, and expert witness testimony in the United States justice system.

Featured Speakers

	Dr. Jennifer L. Mnookin Chancellor University of Wisconsin-Madison
	Hon. Jed S. Rakoff US District Judge Southern District of New York Adjunct Professor of Law Columbia Law School
	Mr. Marvin L. Anderson Board Member Innocence Project Exoneree

See the conference program for the full list of presenters!

Presenters and attendees will examine the history of scientific evidence in the courts, assess current practices, and identify ways to improve the use of credible, trustworthy scientific evidence, and of expert witness testimony, by federal and state courts going forward. In addition, this two-day conference will feature sessions on evolving fields of science beginning to make an impact on the courts, such as artificial intelligence, climate science, and statistical modeling.

The research to be presented and discussed at this conference, and the needs for future research that will be identified, directly relate to improving the justice system’s accurate and effective use of scientific evidence, and to building public trust in the judiciary.

Registration Rates

This conference is in collaboration with

The Committee on Science, Technology, and Law
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

This conference is made possible with NSF support

(NSF Award Number: 2318434)

Conference Sponsors

Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the Scientific Evidence and the Courts Conference? Contact Theresa Harris at tharris@aaas.org for more information.