Models in the courtroom
E.S. Bair 2001 Model Validation, Perspectives in Hydrological Science Chapter 5, p. 58-76.
This article provides background information about the societal and technical aspects of the famous 'A Civil Action' trial. It also proposes that the steps involved in constructing a predictive groundwater model are similar to the steps involved in the scientific method and the path that a civil lawsuit takes through the U.S. legal system. The article contains excerpts from the trial testimony of several expert witnesses, a cross section, a potentiometric map, and an aerial photograph of the Woburn, Massachusetts area. It also contains a brief history of the foundations of the U.S. legal system, quotes from a federal judge about the role of scientists in our legal system, and quotes stating why the objectives of science and legal trials have to be different.

ISBN 0-471-98572-4
find it in: Worldcat (for local availability) and Amazon.com

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This resource is referenced here:

- Cutting Edge:Hydrogeology: Articles
- A Civil Action - The Woburn Toxic Trial:Key Issues in the Trial: Expert Witness Opinions
- A Civil Action - The Woburn Toxic Trial:Overarching Questions: Science and Law
- A Civil Action - The Woburn Toxic Trial:Overarching Questions: Truth or Conflict Resolution
- A Civil Action - The Woburn Toxic Trial:Key Issues in the Trial: Contaminant Arrival Times

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Subject: Geoscience:Hydrology:Ground Water:Water and society, policy, and management, Geoscience:Hydrology:Surface Water:Water Quality/Chemistry , Geoscience:Hydrology:Ground Water:Groundwater modeling, Environmental Science:Water Quality and Quantity:Point Source Pollution, Geoscience:Hydrology:Ground Water:Contaminant hydrology, Environmental Science:Waste:Waste Solid :Industrial Waste, Environmental Science:Waste:Toxic and Hazardous Wastes:Metals, Environmental Science:Mineral Resources:Mining, Environmental Science:Policy:Environmental Economics
Resource Type: Policy Resources, :Opinion, Scientific Resources:Research Results, Overview/Reference Work, Journal Article, References
Environmental Policy: Environmental Economics
Topics: Hydrosphere/Cryosphere:Groundwater:Water and society, policy, and management, Hydrosphere/Cryosphere:Surface Water:Water Quality/Chemistry, Hydrosphere/Cryosphere:Groundwater:Groundwater modeling, Contaminant hydrology, Woburn:Wells G and H Superfund Site, Legal System, Hydrogeology:Computer Modeling, Federal TrialKeywords: Computer model, hydrogeology, Woburn Toxic Trial, A Civil Action, groundwater