What does p(I | E) represent in probabilistic terms?

The notation p(I | E) refers specifically to the probability of innocence (I) given the evidence (E). In probabilistic reasoning, this expresses how likely it is that an individual is innocent when certain evidence has been taken into account. This type of conditional probability is fundamental in forensic analysis, where evidence plays a critical role in establishing the likelihood of various hypotheses, such as innocence or guilt.

Understanding how evidence influences probabilities allows forensic analysts to assess cases more accurately and make informed decisions based on the available data. By focusing on the evidence, forensic analysts can apply Bayes' theorem to update their beliefs about a subject's innocence or guilt systematically. This highlights the importance of evaluating how new information (evidence) impacts existing beliefs.