If
they do not, then all sorts of expert and non-expert witnesses will be able to
invoke this notion as well. Why should the manufacturer of litmus paper
not be able to claim that her litmus paper has a zero “methodological error
rate” because substances are either acid, base, or neutral? Why not allow
the eyewitness to claim a zero “methodological error rate” because only one
person was seen? Why not allow a medium to claim a zero
“methodological error rate” because the defendant is either guilty or
innocent? Why not allow all pregnancy tests to claim a zero
“methodological error rate” because all women either are pregnant or are
not? The scientific and forensic scientific communities should also
explicitly disavow the notion of “methodological error rate” as it is framed
by latent print examiners.
C. ACCOUNTING FOR ERROR