Which of the following should NOT be omitted when conveying forensic analysis results?

When conveying forensic analysis results, it is essential to include data limitations in your report. Data limitations provide critical context regarding the reliability, validity, and applicability of the forensic findings. They inform the audience about potential weaknesses, uncertainties, or factors that may affect the interpretation of the results.

Discussing these limitations helps to ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of the analysis. It enables the audience, be it court personnel, law enforcement, or legal teams, to understand how far they can trust the conclusions drawn from the data presented. Ignoring or omitting data limitations could lead to misinterpretation and misuse of the findings, ultimately undermining the credibility of the forensic work.

In contrast, conjectures, opinions, and raw data do not necessarily need to be included in a report. Conjectures may introduce bias or unfounded assumptions, opinions represent subjective interpretations that may not be backed by solid evidence, and raw data can be too voluminous or detailed, potentially obscuring critical insights. Thus, while these elements can sometimes be included for additional context or support, they are not as essential as clearly stating the limitations of the data.