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