Analysis of Scientific Jury Selection

Abstract

The study of "scientific jury selection" has provided me with an exciting opportunity to integrate my two primary fields of interest - psychology and law. Recognizing the extensive body of literature that has accumulated on this subject, I have included the works and references that I believe to be the most important and pivotal. To supplement my formal research of the literature on the subject, I have also conducted extensive interviews of prominent professionals who are involved in varying ways with the task of jury selection. These interviews included a number of trial attorneys, some of whom are specifically mentioned in the body of the paper. I interviewed several trial judges. I observed jury trials and in one particular case had the opportunity to·speak to the attorneys on both sides, as well as the presiding judge. I also served as a member of a mock jury for a tria1 practice class at the University of Detroit Law School. In addition, I spoke to professionals who work as aids and advisers to attorneys in the jury selection process. These were people who, particularly in the case of Dr. Jay Schulman and Ms Courtney Mullin, specialize in jury selection techniques.