Cognitive and Human Factors in Forensic Decision Making

*DESCRIPTION: The course covers brain and cognitive issues relating to forensic science. It then connects the cognitive issues to practical and specific issues in forensic decision making. In addition to knowledge about the cognitive factors in forensic decision making, the course also provides practical solutions to address weaknesses as well as best practices to enhance forensic practices. More details are available at: www.cci-hq.com

*INTENDED AUDIENCE: This course is aimed at forensic examiners, quality assurance units, crime scene investigators, and managers across the forensic science domains. The training program is appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level staff.

*ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Itiel Dror is a cognitive neuroscientist who received his Ph.D. at Harvard in the area of cognitive factors in human expert performance. Since his Ph.D he has been researching this area, and has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles specifically looking at cognitive factors that mediate human expert performance. His insights and understanding of the human brain and cognitive system underpin the class. Without such deep knowledge, it is not possible to properly deliver a class on the ‘cognitive and human factors’. Over the last decade Dr. Dror has worked with a variety of forensic laboratories across the US (and other countries), in which he has visited and shadowed examiners doing casework and reviewed SOPs and practices. Dr. Dror was the Chair of the OSAC Human Factor group and a member of the National Commission on Forensic Science Human Factors subcommittee. The recommendations on cognitive and human factors of the NCFS and the NAS & PCAST reports, as well as other bodies, is substantially based on the research and work of Dr. Dror. More information is available at www.cci-hq.com

The success of his courses and his training in this area has been recognized by a variety of forensic labs and professional bodies. For example, Dr. Dror has received the Association of Business Psychology’s Annual Award for 'Excellence in Training' for his courses on cognitive and human factors in forensic decision making. The purpose of the award is to recognize excellence in demonstrating how applying an understanding of the science of human behavior can impact and deliver practical value to organizations. The association commented that Dr. Dror's workshops are, "A highly rigorous application of relevant theoretical frameworks", "Truly innovative, breaking entirely new ground in a most challenging context", and "Entirely focused on application of conceptual models – underpinned by deep research".