Kristy Martire

Professor Kristy Martire is a distinguished academic in the School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales, specializing in forensic psychology and evidence evaluation within criminal justice contexts. Her research bridges psychological science with legal practice, focusing on how lay decision-makers interpret complex forensic evidence.

Education:

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

Professor Martire's research examines the development of expertise, processes of evidence evaluation in criminal trials, and communication between experts and lay decision-makers in forensic settings. Her work employs online crowd-sourcing platforms and electronic questionnaires to assess how evidence characteristics impact belief-updating among international samples of lay decision-makers. She collaborates extensively with legal practitioners, forensic scientists, psychologists, and statisticians to ensure experimental validity and maximize practical implications for the criminal justice system.

Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on juror comprehension of statistical evidence, transparent reporting in forensic science, and the psychological mechanisms underlying expertise development. The research consistently addresses critical gaps identified in the 2009 NAS report on forensic science, with particular emphasis on improving the reliability and communication of forensic evidence in legal contexts.

Research Funding:

• ARC Discovery Project (DP220102412) 2022-2024: Misinformation: Evidence evaluation in an alternate fact reality
• ARC Linkage Project (LP160100008) 2016-2019: Improving the communication of forensic science evidence to courts
• ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DE140100183) 2014-2016: Unravelling the golden thread: Presumption of innocence, fair trial, and lay belief change
• NH&MRC Project Grant (APP1021862) 2012-2015: Reducing smoking in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups

Professor Martire actively supervises PhD students interested in forensic evidence validity, lay comprehension of scientific evidence, and expertise development. Her lab culture includes PhD, Masters, and Honours students alongside academics and legal professionals, with weekly meetings to discuss research projects and emerging questions. She teaches courses including Forensic Psychology: Crime, Courts and Corrections (PSYC1027), Psychology & Law (PSYC3301), and Applications of Forensic Psychology (PSYC7402).