Forensic science needs both the ‘hedgehog’ and the ‘fox’

Forensic science faces many challenges, some high profile and others that are less visible. It is argued that a holistic understanding of the complex matrix of forensic science is critical to robust and transparent forensic reconstruction approaches. This paper explores the value of incorporating the contrasting approaches to complexity of the ‘hedgehog’ and the ‘fox’, by illustrating their comparative strengths. The value of such collaboration in the context of a holistic understanding of the complex interactions that exist within forensic science, offers insights for developing approaches that can be taken to address the visible and less visible challenges at their root cause.