Maastricht Foundations of Law Colloquia

The Department of Foundations of Law in the Faculty of Law cordially invites you to the next meeting of the Maastricht Foundations of Law Colloquia. On 22 October, our speaker is Anne Ruth Mackor from the University of Groningen - Title: On Bayesian modelling of criminal cases as a whole

Abstract: 
The Bayesian method is internationally gaining ground in criminal law. The Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), for example, has been using the Bayesian method in its reports since around 2005. An important question is whether non-forensic experts and judges can or even should use the Bayesian method as well, and if so, how. This question is important from an epistemological as well as from a rule of law perspective.
In my paper I discuss court rulings on the use of the Bayesian method from the UK and the Netherlands. I discuss two British cases, R v Adams 1996, 1998 and R v T 2010 and six Dutch cases which offer mixed results: they consist partly of well-grounded arguments and partly of unclear or even flawed reasoning.
The article concludes with several recommendations both for clarification of case law and for further research into the use of the Bayesian method in criminal cases.


The colloquium’s format is pre-read. Those attending are expected to have read the text in advance. The draft will be circulated in advance.

Convenors:
Lukasz Dziedzic
Sebastian Reyes Molina
Roland Pierik

The colloquia will take place physically and online. The Zoom link for the online sessions will be distributed later.