Implementing context management in forensic casework : Minimizing contextual bias in firearms examination

Managing contextual information in forensic casework aims to minimize the task-irrelevant information while maximizing the task-relevant information that reaches the examiner. Any particular forensic domain will require its own context management system and this paper describes the design and implementation of context management for minimizing bias in forensic firearms and ammunition examination. Guided by a categorization of different sources of contextual information, a flow-chart was constructed that specifies the process of casework examinations and context management. Despite these measures, another examiner may need to be involved when context management fails and the risk of bias is real. Application of this context management system does not make a subjective examination objective, but can limit the risks of bias with a minimal investment of time and resources.