READ: Deductive Reasoning
READ: Deductive Reasoning
Deductive reasoning is a type of reasoning in which an individual gradually reduces the options from the most general to the most specific. For example, a group of suspects might be reduced to only one or two using details gathered during an investigation to exclude the others from the possible pool of suspects. Deductive reasoning is the opposite of inductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning is using a specific detail to generalize to all elements in a group. An example of inductive reasoning: "Sue has red hair. Therefore, all people named Sue have red hair." See the graphic representation below to distinguish between inductive and deductive reasoning.
Similar to murder mystery board games and dinner theaters, investigators rely upon details and clues to eliminate or exclude suspects in actual cases. Deductive reasoning is the methodical way in which investigators process all of the minute details of a crime. By gathering information about the crime, crime scene, and victim, the list of suspects is generally narrowed. As the process continues and details are added to the case file, a more distinct picture can be formed of what happened.
Self-Assessment: Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning
Georgia Virtual, Introduction to Forensic Science and Criminal Justice, CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0
After you have completed this part of the lesson, you can check the associated box on the main course page to mark it as complete 