Frye standard
Pronunciation: FRY standard
Legal test for admissibility of scientific evidence requiring general acceptance in the relevant scientific community.
Full Definition
The Frye standard, established in Frye v. United States (1923), requires that scientific evidence be generally accepted in the particular field in which it belongs before it can be admitted in court. This standard is more conservative than the Daubert standard and focuses solely on whether the scientific methodology has gained general acceptance among experts in the relevant discipline. In forensic psychiatry, this affects the admissibility of psychological tests, assessment instruments, and novel diagnostic techniques. Some jurisdictions still use Frye while others have adopted Daubert. Under Frye, the key question is not whether the evidence is reliable, but whether the scientific community has embraced the underlying methodology.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize 'Frye'; distinguish clearly from Daubert standard in legal contexts.
In Context
- "The court applied the Frye standard to exclude testimony based on experimental neuroimaging techniques." — judicial ruling
- "Forensic psychiatrists must understand whether their jurisdiction follows Frye or Daubert standards for expert testimony." — expert witness training