Legal Decision-Making in an Adult Rape Case Involving DNA Evidence

This study investigated how jurors use deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) evidence in an adult rape trial with a female victim and a male stranger defendant. Community members read a trial summary and then made case judgments (e.g., verdict). Results showed: (a) DNA evidence led to more pro-victim judgment...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Mecikalski, Alexa A. (Author)
Contributors: Golding, Jonathan M. 1959- ; Burke, Kelly C. ; Neuschatz, Jeffrey S.
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2025
In: Violence against women
Year: 2025, Volume: 31, Issue: 8, Pages: 1932-1953
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Keywords:
Juror decision-making
DNA evidence
adult rape
Description
Summary:This study investigated how jurors use deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) evidence in an adult rape trial with a female victim and a male stranger defendant. Community members read a trial summary and then made case judgments (e.g., verdict). Results showed: (a) DNA evidence led to more pro-victim judgments (e.g., more guilty verdicts) than those who did not receive DNA evidence; (b) women were more pro-victim than men; (c) pro-victim judgments indirectly affected the presence of DNA evidence and verdict; and (d) the reason for a guilty verdict when DNA evidence was present typically noted a focus on the victim and DNA evidence.
ISSN:1552-8448
DOI:10.1177/10778012241247199