Behavioral psychologists have identified numerous effects that may induce cognitive bias as humans process the external stimuli that constantly bombards them. However, these biases can work against those who make judgments and decisions about physical evidence in a forensic context. Sequential unmasking is a term that encourages the forensic scientist to reimagine conventional blind testing in a way that is more pertinent to the way forensic science is practiced. In this format, a forensic scientist receives all relevant information in an orderly fashion. The idea is to minimize the opportunities for inadvertent bias, while still providing the examiner with all the information needed for a complete and relevant analysis.
