Empiricism is a philosophical idea that defines the acquisition of knowledge through the senses (“Empiricism,” n.d.). This means that in order for a phenomenon to be called “real,” it needs to manifest in a manner that is tangible through the physical world. Based on this, empirically based evidence is a collection of material that can, without reasonable doubt, ascertain the “validity” and “reliability” of matter that is presented in court, which in turn demonstrates the probability or the improbability of a subject in dispute. For evidence to be qualified as “valid”, it must be gleaned from methods that are thoroughly and scientifically understood. To establish the “reliability” of evidence, its quality must establish cogency. For evidence to be regarded beyond reasonable doubt, the matter must not present any gaps in knowledge, which can directly affect the presentation of the case (“Daubert Standards,” n.d.).
There are myriad ways by which forensic material can be obtained. However, the means used to obtain it or the quality of the evidence itself can determine its admissibility in court. Hence, ways that are unconstitutional, such as those that breach privacy or deride the dignity of an individual, cannot be acknowledged.
As an example, in gathering empirical evidence for a case against the DC Snipers, based on the standards summarized above, law enforcers made sure that as the investigation started, the curtailed elements that make for the collation of evidence are grounded on principles that govern both the Frye and Daubert standards. In terms of salience, linking crimes, and offender location, it is an investigator’s best framework. In summary, empirically based evidence is an important aspect of Investigative Psychology because it can provide direct answers in solving crimes (Youngs & Canter, 2005).
References
Daubert standard. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/daubert_standard
Empiricism. (2014) Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/
EBchecked/topic/186146/empiricism
Youngs, D. E. & Canter, D. V. (2005). Chapter 11: Introducing investigative psychology.
Retrieved from http://www.ia-ip.org/uploads/library/
key%20ip%20publications/Beyond%20Offender%20Profiling.pdf
