Law, Ethical Codes, and the Report of the CSSP Survey on Ethics Policies

Abstract

Recently, the Council of Scientific Society Presidents (CSSP) collected data from its member organizations regarding codes of ethics. To better understand why such a survey would be undertaken, this paper begins by examining what is meant by ethics and highlights some distinctions between law and ethics. It then discusses codes of ethics, stressing their purposes and functions. Finally, it looks at the results of the CSSP survey and evaluates how various organizations formulate and implement their codes.

A Perspective on Errors, Bias, and Interpretation in the Forensic Sciences and Direction for Continuing Advancement*

“…Therefore, the forensic scientist should carry out the highest level of ethics and professional standards. A Code of Ethics likely exists in many of the professional forensic organizations and various agencies (54). Some are agency specific and some are science specific.…”

“…All crime laboratories, both public and private, should have a code of ethics/conduct. These codes need to stress the best interests of society through government service and justice, government responsibility for professionalism and cost effectiveness, integrity (both professionally and regarding evidence), objectivity, staying within the bounds or limits of what the science can provide, maintaining confidentiality, complying to legal demands such as disclosure, and being truthful (11,54,55).…”

“…Embedded within these basic standards of ethics are testimony, QA, scientific rigor, science culture, hypothesis building, questioning and improving practices, considering alternate explanations, and understanding the causes of bias and error (32). Currently, coursework and training in professional conduct are not mandatory (54,55). Because professionalism is at the root of the forensic sciences, we highly recommend that a course or seminar covering the basic tenets of ethics and professional conduct be developed and required for all forensic scientists (both those in the public and private sectors).…”