Explaining science in court with comics
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 14-Jul-2025 23:11 ET (15-Jul-2025 03:11 GMT/UTC)
DNA analysis, forensic ballistics, chemical and physical crime scene analysis, psychiatric and neurological assessments, and much more: in criminal trials, decisions often rely on complex scientific evidence. However, this information can be difficult to understand for those—such as jury members, randomly selected from the general population—who do not have a specific academic background. Crucial decisions are often made based on a brief oral explanation provided in court by an expert witness, which does not always ensure a comprehensive understanding of the subject. What communication tools can help jurors better evaluate this information, which has direct consequences on people’s lives? A study published in the Journal of Science Communication (JCOM) analyzed the effectiveness of comics as a tool for scientific communication in the courtroom, demonstrating that this approach improves jurors’ comprehension of forensic science.
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