Forensic Traps
📋 What it is
Common traps: deciding the answer first (confirmation bias) and trusting “it looks like” over a real test.
🗣️ Coach says
Even careful investigators fall for two traps: deciding who’s guilty FIRST then only seeing fitting evidence (confirmation bias), and trusting “it looks like blood” over an actual test. The fix: let evidence lead, and test rather than assume.
🧠 Memory hook
Don’t decide first, then hunt fitting clues. And test — don’t trust “it looks like”.
😂 Giggle
Why did the witness wear glasses?
To improve their eye-witness testimony!
😲 Whoa!
TV makes forensics look instant and certain, but real labs are slow and careful precisely BECAUSE a rushed “obvious” answer is how wrong convictions happen.
✅ Quick check: A detective is sure who did it and only looks for evidence that fits. What’s the trap?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Confirmation bias — deciding first and ignoring evidence that doesn’t fit; strong forensics follows ALL the evidence.
Seeking only confirming evidence is a classic reasoning failure.
🪄 Trick question: Is “the stain looks like blood” enough to conclude it IS blood?
Careful — think it through, then reveal.
No — looks deceive (rust, ketchup); a chemical test is needed to be sure. Test, don’t assume.
Appearance isn’t proof; forensic conclusions need a real test.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Catch yourself assuming an answer before checking. Ask: what evidence would prove me WRONG?