The readability of expert reports for non-scientists: Can the reports of your laboratory be made more reader-friendly for the police, lawyers, and judges who use them?

This presentation outlines the results of three studies about written reports. In both adversarial and inquisitorial legal systems, scientists’ findings and expert opinions are formally communicated via written reports. Yet with the exception of a recommendation in the 2009 NAS Report, to develop report templates and standardise the terminology used within reports, written reports have received limited attention.