Certified Fire Investigator Practice Exam

Which case promoted the use of the Scientific Method in legal proceedings?

1. Kumho Tire vs. Carmichael

2. Frye vs. U.S.

3. Daubert vs. Merrill Dow

4. Michigan Miller vs. Benfield

The correct answer is: Daubert vs. Merrill Dow

The promotion of the Scientific Method in legal proceedings is significantly associated with the case of Daubert vs. Merrill Dow. This landmark decision, made by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1993, established a new standard for the admissibility of expert witness testimony in federal courts, known as the Daubert standard. In this case, the Court ruled that trial judges have the responsibility to ensure that any scientific testimony or evidence is not only relevant but also reliable. The decision outlined specific factors that judges should consider when determining the reliability of scientific evidence, emphasizing the need for a sound scientific methodology as a prerequisite for admissibility. This included considerations of whether the theory or technique has been tested, subjected to peer review and publication, and has a known error rate, among others. The decision effectively integrated the principles of the Scientific Method into legal proceedings, requiring that scientific evidence be scrutinized rigorously before it can be presented in court. This marked a shift towards valuing empirical, data-driven methodologies in the judicial process, aiming to enhance the reliability of expert testimony used to inform judges and juries.