Mitra Sharafi Joins Law in Action Podcast Episode

Mitra Sharafi joined Episode 46 of the Law in Action podcast to discuss her latest book, “Fear of the False: Forensic Science and the Law of Crime in Colonial South Asia,” published by Cornell University Press. Sharafi discusses how the British colonial stereotype of “native mendacity,” the racialized belief that South Asians were constitutionally dishonest, paradoxically drove advances in forensic science in British India and Burma. Additionally, Sharafi uncovers a blind spot: a rule which allowed government forensic experts to submit written reports without appearing in court for cross-examination, unlike the practice in England. This procedural shortcut, originally justified by the difficulty of travel, became entrenched and has persisted in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh long after independence. During the interview, Sharafi also discusses working with students and experiences conducting legal history research in archives across the world. The conversation broadens to touch on contemporary issues including rising public mistrust of scientific expertise, the influence of AI on research and evidence, and finally, the importance of communicating scholarly work to wider audiences, including through collaboration with popular fiction writers. Listen and follow on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts and, now, Spotify.