Associate Professor Kristy Martire

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University role:

Associate Director

Phone:

02 9385 8563

Email:

k.martire@unsw.edu.au

ABOUT ME

Biography

I am an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology. My research aims to better understand the development of expertise, processes of evidence evaluation in criminal trials, and to improve the communication between experts and lay decision-makers in forensic settings.

Education

PhD in Forensic Psychology, The University of New South Wales, 2008
Master of Psychology (Forensic), The University of New South Wales, 2008
BA(hons), majoring in Psychology and History, The University of Sydney, 2004

RESEARCH

Research Goals

To understand lay interpretations of complex statistical and probabilistic evidence presented in criminal trials
To examine the development of expertise
To develop models for evaluating expert evidence
To improve the quality of forensic science expert evaluative opinions
To facilitate clear communication between experts and lay decision-makers regarding evidential weight

Research in Detail

My collaborators and I use online crowd sourcing platforms and electronic questionnaires to examine the decision-making processes of large international samples of lay decision-makers.We use crime scenarios based on actual case facts, and expert evidence derived from real forensic technologies, to assess the impact of evidence and evidence presentation characteristics on belief-updating. We collaborate with legal practitioners and academics, law enforcement operatives and organisations, psychologists, statisticians and forensic scientists in order to ensure the validity of our experimental approach and maximise the practical implications of our work.

Research Grants

ARC Linkage Project (LP160100008) 2016-2019: Improving the communication of forensic science evidence to courts.
ARC Discovery Early Career Resercher Award (DE140100183) 2014-2016: Unravelling the golden thread: Presumption of innocence, fair trial, and lay belief change.
UNSW Goldstar Award 2014 (RG134789): Intent and interpretation in the communication of forensic science evidence.
NH&MRC Project Grant (APP1021862) 2012-2015: Reducing smoking in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups: A trial of a financial counselling intervention with NRT.

Current Student Projects (PhD)

Optimising the communication and comprehension of forensic science evidence during the pre-trial process in Australia. Stephanie Summersby, PhD student.

Evaluating and improving the application of scientific reasoning in forensic psychology reports. Jennifer Grant, PhD student.

Measuring and maximising lay comprehension of forensic science evidence in court. Agnes Bali, combined PhD/MPsychol student.

Making sense of a senseless act: Examining individual risk propensity and treatment needs of homicide offenders without a history of violence. Danielle Matsuo, part time PhD student.

Supervision Opportunities/Areas

I am very keen to talk to potential PhD students who are interested in working on projects relating to the validity of forensic science evidence, lay comprehension of probabilistic scientific evidence, the development and evaluation of expertise, or other aspects of the intersection between psychology and evidence.

Advice for prospective students

Working in my lab offers lots of opportunities to make discoveries with implications for professional practice in the criminal justice system. The 2009 NAS report has opened the door for cognitive psychologists to contribute to the refinement of criminal justice systems around the world by using their experimental skills to better understand human expert performance and lay decision-making. By deciding to work in the area you could find yourself generating the kind of knowledge that is currently being sought and relied upon by legal academics, law practitioners, forensic scientists and law enforcement agencies. You can also contribute more broadly to theories of decision-making under uncertainty, persuasion, and belief-updating. Our vibrant lab culture involves PhD, Masters and Honours students, academics, law students and research assistants. We meet weekly to talk about projects and ideas, to discuss topics in the media and literature, as well as emerging research questions. Everyone works together to share their knowledge and experience and to make sure you are always supported in your work.

If you are a PhD or Masters student and this area sounds right for you, do a little bit of reading to test the waters and come to me with your thoughts, plans and questions. It is best if you take ownership of your research topic from the start because it is going to be a big part of your life once you get underway. The NAS report is a good place to start with your reading. Ultimately we will work together to refine your idea to make sure that it will be an appropriate project for you to focus on. Honours students, you don't need to have firm plans of your own, but some preliminary reading will definitely help. Otherwise I have a list of studies that will work if you don't have a topic in mind.

Overall it is important to do your homework before you choose your research supervisor. So give yourself the best chance for success, read about the work we do, send me an email and talk to students to find out what it is like to be in the lab. We're all happy to help you get the information you need to make the best decision you can.

TEACHING & OUTREACH

Courses I teach

PSYC1027: Forensic Psychology: Crime, Courts and Corrections

PSYC3301: Psychology & Law

PSYC4103: Psychology 4B

PSYC7401: Interventions in Forensic Psychology 2 (co-ordinator)

PSYC7402: Applications of Forensic Psychology (co-ordinator)

PSYC7403: Experimental Psychology & Law

Professional affiliations and service positions

I am a member of the Australian Psychology Society and the College of Forensic Psychologists. I am an endorsed Forensic Psychologist, and am approved to supervise Forensic Psychology registras.I am also a member of the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences.

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

2014: ARC Discovery Early Career Research Award

2012: Australia & New Zealand Forensic Science Society award for "Best oral presentation" in the Science and Justice stream at the 2012 ANZFSS International Congress

2010: Faculty of Medicine Dean's Rising Star Award

2009: APS Maconochie Prize for the best publication by a PhD, Masters or Honours student in Forensic Psychology

Research

Field of Research (FOR) Tag:

Forensic Psychology

Criminal Law

Decision Making

Socio-economic Objective (SEO) tags:

Behavioural and cognitive sciences

Expanding Knowledge in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences

Justice and the Law

Publications related to this Person

Book Chapters

Edmond G; Martire KA, 2017, 'Knowing experts? Section 79, forensic science evidence and the limits of 'training, study or experience', in Roberts A; Gans J (ed.), Critical Perspectives on the Uniform Evidence Law, Federation Press, Sydney, pp. 80 - 80

Journal articles

Martire KA; Ballantyne KN; Bali A; Edmond G; Kemp RI; Found B, 2019, 'Forensic science evidence: Naive estimates of false positive error rates and reliability', Forensic Science International, vol. 302, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.109877

Edmond G; Martire KA, 2019, 'Just cognition: Scientific research on bias and some implications for legal procedure and decision-making', Modern Law Review, vol. 82, pp. 633 - 664, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1468-2230.12424

Boland VC; Mattick RP; Siahpush M; Barker D; Doran CM; Martire KA; Bonevski B; McRobbie H; Borland R; Farrell M, 2019, 'Factors associated with Quitline and pharmacotherapy utilisation among low-socioeconomic status smokers', Addictive Behaviors, vol. 89, pp. 113 - 120, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.09.029

Ross R; Kramer K; Martire KA, 2019, 'Consistent with: what doctors say and jurors hear', Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 51, pp. 109 - 116, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2017.1324583

Towler A; White D; Ballantyne K; Searston RA; Martire KA; Kemp RI, 2018, 'Are Forensic Scientists Experts?', Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, vol. 7, pp. 199 - 208, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmac.2018.03.010

Martire KA; Growns B; Navarro DJ, 2018, 'What do the experts know? Calibration, precision, and the wisdom of crowds among forensic handwriting experts', Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, vol. 25, pp. 2346 - 2355, http://dx.doi.org/10.3758/s13423-018-1448-3

Martire KA, 2018, 'Clear communication through clear purpose: understanding statistical statements made by forensic scientists', Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 50, pp. 619 - 627, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2018.1439101

Martire KA; Kemp RI, 2018, 'Considerations when designing human performance tests in the forensic sciences', Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 50, pp. 166 - 182, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2016.1229815

Edmond G; Martire KA, 2018, 'Antipodean forensics: a comment on ANZFSS’s response to PCAST', Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 50, pp. 140 - 151, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2017.1340520

Ward T; Edmond G; Martire K; Wortley N, 2017, 'Forensic science, reliability and scientific validity: Advice from America', Criminal Law Review -London-, vol. 5, pp. 357 - 378

Edmond G; Martire K; San Roque M, 2017, 'EXPERT REPORTS AND THE FORENSIC SCIENCES', UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES LAW JOURNAL, vol. 40, pp. 590 - 637, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000416757300006&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

Martire KA; Clare P; Courtney RJ; Bonevski B; Boland V; Borland R; Doran CM; Farrell M; Hall W; Iredale JM, 2017, 'Smoking and finances: Baseline characteristics of low income daily smokers in the FISCALS cohort', International Journal for Equity in Health, vol. 16, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12939-017-0643-6

Martire KA; Edmond G, 2017, 'Rethinking expert opinion evidence', Melbourne University Law Review, vol. 40, pp. 967 - 998

Edmond G; Towler A; Growns B; Ribeiro G; Found B; White D; Ballantyne K; Searston RA; Thompson MB; Tangen JM, 2017, 'Thinking forensics: Cognitive science for forensic practitioners', Science and Justice, vol. 57, pp. 144 - 154, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2016.11.005

Martire KA; Edmond G; Navarro DJ; Newell BR, 2017, 'On the likelihood of “encapsulating all uncertainty”', Science and Justice, vol. 57, pp. 76 - 79, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2016.10.004

Morrison GS; Kaye DH; Balding DJ; Taylor D; Dawid P; Aitken CGG; Gittelson S; Zadora G; Robertson B; Willis S, 2017, 'A comment on the PCAST report: Skip the “match”/“non-match” stage', Forensic Science International, vol. 272, pp. e7 - e9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.10.018

Courtney RJ; Clare P; Boland V; Martire KA; Bonevski B; Hall W; Siahpush M; Borland R; Doran CM; West R, 2017, 'Predictors of retention in a randomised trial of smoking cessation in low-socioeconomic status Australian smokers', Addictive Behaviors, vol. 64, pp. 13 - 20, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.07.019

Edmond G; Martire KA, 2016, 'Forensic science in criminal courts: The latest scientific insights', Australian Bar Review, vol. 42

Edmond G; Found B; Martire K; Ballantyne K; Hamer D; Searston R; Thompson M; Cunliffe E; Kemp R; San Roque M, 2016, 'Model forensic science', Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 48, pp. 496 - 537, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2015.1128969

Iredale JM; Clare PJ; Courtney RJ; Martire KA; Bonevski B; Borland R; Siahpush M; Mattick RP, 2016, 'Associations between behavioural risk factors and smoking, heavy smoking and future smoking among an Australian population-based sample', Preventive Medicine, vol. 83, pp. 70 - 76, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.11.020

Watkins IJ; Martire KA, 2015, 'Generalized linear mixed models for deception research: avoiding problematic data aggregation', Psychology, Crime and Law, vol. 21, pp. 821 - 835, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2015.1054384

Courtney RJ; Naicker S; Shakeshaft A; Clare P; Martire KA; Mattick RP, 2015, 'Smoking cessation among low-socioeconomic status and disadvantaged population groups: A systematic review of research output', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 12, pp. 6403 - 6422, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120606403

Martire KA; Watkins I, 2015, 'Perception problems of the verbal scale: A reanalysis and application of a membership function approach', Science and Justice, vol. 55, pp. 264 - 273, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2015.01.002

Rourke P; Howard J; Martire KA, 2015, 'Legal Mandates and Perceived Coercion in Residential Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment', Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, vol. 22, pp. 756 - 768, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2014.986839

Courtney RJ; Bradford D; Martire KA; Bonevski B; Borland R; Doran C; Hall W; Farrell M; Siahpush M; Sanson-Fisher R, 2014, 'A randomized clinical trial of a financial education intervention with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for low socio-economic status Australian smokers: a study protocol', Addiction (Abingdon, England), vol. 109, pp. 1602 - 1611, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/add.12669

Clare P; Slade T; Courtney RJ; Martire KA; Mattick RP, 2014, 'Use of smoking cessation and quit support services by socioeconomic status over 10 years of the national drug strategy household survey', Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, vol. 16, pp. 1647 - 1655, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntu119

Clare P; Slade T; Courtney RJ; Martire K; Mattick RP, 2014, 'The difference between rigor and specificity in examining methodologies for analyzing survey data: response to commentary', Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, vol. 16, pp. 1539 - 1540, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntu189

Clare P; Bradford D; Courtney RJ; Martire K; Mattick RP, 2014, 'The relationship between socioeconomic status and ‘hardcore’ smoking over time - Greater accumulation of hardened smokers in low-ses than high-ses smokers', Tobacco Control, vol. 23, pp. e133 - e138, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2013-051436

Edmond G; Martire KA; Kemp RI; Hamer D; Hibbert B; Ligertwood A; Porter G; San Roque M; Searston R; Tangen J, 2014, 'How to cross-examine forensic scientists: A guide for lawyers', Australian Bar Review, vol. 39, pp. 174 - 197, http://mbthompson.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Edmond-HowToCross-ExamineForensicScientists.pdf

Howes LM; Martire KA; Kelty SF, 2014, 'Response to Recommendation 2 of the 2009 NAS Report—Standards for Formatting and Reporting Expert Evaluative Opinions: Where Do We Stand?', Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal, vol. 5, pp. 1 - 14, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19409044.2014.880973

Martire KA; Kemp RI; Sayle M; Newell BR, 2014, 'On the interpretation of likelihood ratios in forensic science evidence: Presentation formats and the weak evidence effect', Forensic Science International, vol. 240, pp. 61 - 68, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.04.005

Edmond G; San Roque M, 2013, 'Justicia's Gaze: Surveillance, evidence and the criminal trial', Surveillance and Society, vol. 11, pp. 252 - 271

Martire KA; Howard MVA; Sayle MA; Sunjic S, 2013, 'Connections Program Patients: A Descriptive Analysis of the Reintegration Needs of Incarcerated Substance Users', Journal of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, vol. 01, http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2329-6488.1000133

Martire KA; Kemp RI; Watkins I; Sayle MA; Newell BR, 2013, 'The expression and interpretation of uncertain forensic science evidence: Verbal equivalence, evidence strength, and the weak evidence effect', Law and Human Behavior, vol. 37, pp. 197 - 207, http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000027

Martire KA; Kemp RI; Newell BR, 2013, 'The psychology of interpreting expert evaluative opinions', Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 45, pp. 305 - 314, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00450618.2013.784361

Bright DA; Martire KA, 2013, 'Does Coerced Treatment of Substance-Using Offenders Lead to Improvements in Substance Use and Recidivism? A Review of the Treatment Efficacy Literature', Australian Psychologist, vol. 48, pp. 69 - 81, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-9544.2012.00072.x

Martire KA; Larney S, 2012, 'Increasing numbers of inmate separations from Australian prisons', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 196, pp. 110, http://dx.doi.org/10.5694/mja11.11321

Edmond G; Martire K; Roque MS, 2011, ''Mere guesswork': Cross-Lingual Voice Comparisons and the Jury', SYDNEY LAW REVIEW, vol. 33, pp. 395 - 425, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000213733300004&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

Martire K; Sunjic S; Topp L; Indig D, 2011, 'Financial sanctions and the justice system: Fine debts among New South Wales prisoners with a history of problematic substance use', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, vol. 44, pp. 258 - 271, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0004865811405258

Martire KA; Larney S, 2011, 'Health outcomes, program completion, and criminal recidivism among participants in the Rural Alcohol Diversion program, Australia', Journal of Substance Use, vol. 16, pp. 50 - 56, http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/14659891003706407

Martire KA; Kemp RI, 2011, 'Can experts help jurors to evaluate eyewitness evidence? A review of eyewitness expert effects', Legal and Criminological Psychology, vol. 16, pp. 24 - 36, http://dx.doi.org/10.1348/135532509X477225

Martire KA; Mattick RP; Doran CM; Hall WD, 2011, 'Cigarette tax and public health: What are the implications of financially stressed smokers for the effects of price increases on smoking prevalence?', Addiction, vol. 106, pp. 622 - 630, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03174.x

Edmond G; Martire K; Roque MS, 2011, 'Unsound law: Issues with ('expert') voice comparison evidence', Melbourne University Law Review, vol. 35, pp. 52 - 112

Martire K, 2010, 'An examination of the implications of financial strain for forensic psychology', Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, vol. 10, pp. 159 - 176, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15228930903550731

Martire KA; Larney S, 2010, 'An estimate of the number of inmate separations from Australian prisons 2000/01 and 2005/06', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, vol. 34, pp. 255 - 257, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-6405.2010.00522.x

Larney S; Martire KA, 2010, 'Factors affecting criminal recidivism among participants in the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) program in New South Wales, Australia', Drug and Alcohol Review, vol. 29, pp. 684 - 688, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-3362.2010.00186.x

Martire KA; Larney S, 2009, 'Inadequate data collection prevents health planning for released prisoners', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 191, pp. 408 - 409

Martire KA; Kemp RI, 2009, 'The impact of eyewitness expert evidence and judicial instruction on juror ability to evaluate eyewitness testimony', Law and Human Behavior, vol. 33, pp. 225 - 236, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10979-008-9134-z

Martire KA; Kemp RI, 2008, 'Knowledge of eyewitness identification issues: Survey of public defenders in New South Wales', Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, vol. 15, pp. 78 - 87, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13218710701873973

Conference Papers

Cranney J; Jones G; Morris SC; Starfield S; Martire KA; Newell BR; Wong K, 2008, 'Critical Reading and Writing (CRW) in First-year Psychology: Mass Screening and Targeted Assistance', in Proceedings of the 43rd Annual APS Conference, 43rd APS annual conference 23 - 27 September 2008, Hobart, Tasmania, HOBART, TASMANIA, presented at 43rd APS annual conference 23 - 27 September 2008, Hobart, Tasmania, HOBART, TASMANIA, 23 - 27 September 2008

Conference Abstracts

McGregor A; Martire K; Kemp R; Youssef C; Hare C; Minh N-H, 2018, 'The future of forensic psychology in Australia', in AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGIST, WILEY, Vol. 53, pp. 49 - 49, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000454413800116&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

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