A new study published Thursday by an interdisciplinary team of academic researchers shows Black or Hispanic individuals are underrepresented in scientific fields closely related to forensic science at the professional level. Additionally, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) students are underrepresented at the undergraduate level.
While trying to obtain the data needed to evaluate diversity in the forensic sciences, the researchers hit a wall and found an unexpectant second conclusion of their study: professional organizations do not report membership statistics relating to race and ethnic identities, further stalling efforts to advance diversity. This includes the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the American Board of Forensic Odontology, and the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME).
Using sources such as the American Community Survey (ACS) from the 2020 U.S. Census, the research team was able to provide a snapshot of racial diversity within the forensic sciences, but they acknowledge some of the statistics reported provide only a macrocosmic view.
“We advocate for professional forensic science organizations in the U.S. to be open about diversity and inclusion and actively report data regarding different aspects of diversity (e.g., gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability) within their membership, as this is one of the most straightforward ways to understanding diversity in forensic science,” the authors write in their paper published in Forensic Science International: Synergy.
Demographic statistics among forensic science-related occupations derived from the ACS show Asian individuals are overrepresented across most forensic science-related occupations, except as specialized psychologists. Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous individuals are largely underrepresented. Focusing just on forensic practitioners, Asian individuals are no longer overrepresented, but Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous individuals are still underrepresented.
To examine statistics at the undergraduate level, the researchers looked at the 104 operating colleges and universities in the U.S. that are classified as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Of these, only 13 (12.5%) offer forensic science-related programs. Seven institutions (6.7%) offer a forensic science minor or concentration, five (4.8%) offer a bachelor's degree in forensic science, and one only a forensic science certificate. This is all despite increasing college enrollments.
“While meaningful discussion of field- and subdiscipline-specific strategies cannot happen without understanding the scope of the issue, previous studies have shown quality mentorship, internship, and research experience all contribute to the effective retention of BIPOC individuals in STEM education,” write the authors.
In addition to effective strategies for recruitment, retention, and promotion, the authors suggest initiatives such as targeted scholarship programs and hiring practices as ways to increase representation across all levels.
Increasing diversity in the forensic sciences is especially important given its tie to the criminal justice system. A lack of representation not only affects knowledge and innovation, but it could also—unintentionally—skew new technology to discriminate against minorities.
For example, many studies have questioned the accuracy of facial recognition technology for non-white individuals, while others have argued that DNA phenotyping and ancestry estimation in forensic anthropology are rooted in systemic racism.
In their study, the researchers point out that Indigenous cultural values are often at odds with forensic science during crime scene processing, postmortem examination and sample handling. Additionally, Black people tend to express strong distrust toward DNA evidence, and studies have shown an overrepresentation of Black individuals in DNA databases.
“The development of new technologies and protocols without consideration of their impacts on the BIPOC communities can exacerbate existing issues of inequity in the criminal justice system,” conclude the study authors.
The team says their study is an important first step to identifying the current status of diversity, but more needs to be done, especially at the subdiscipline level.