ACFE Knoxville recently had the pleasure of hosting Beth Mohr for an engaging virtual session on cognitive bias in investigations — with over 40 attendees joining us online!

Beth walked us through how confirmation bias, anchoring, rush to judgment, and other mental shortcuts can quietly shape the way we interpret evidence. She also explored how these biases can contribute to false confessions and shared practical strategies for staying objective and challenging our own assumptions.

One of the biggest highlights was the classic checker shadow illusion by Edward H. Adelson — the one where two tiles look completely different but are actually the exact same shade. It sparked lively discussion (and plenty of disbelief!) as everyone leaned in to test their own perception. It was a perfect, hands-on reminder that what we “see” isn’t always reality.

We are incredibly grateful to Beth for sharing her expertise with our chapter. It was insightful, interactive, and genuinely fun. 

Check out the "Meetings & Events" tab to join us for our next training!