La inferencia causal, el problema de la demarcación y el uso del análisis filogenético en el proceso penal: ¿Hacia una nueva figura de juez? (A propósito de la Sentencia de la Corte de Casación italiana en el caso Grandi Rischi y sobre la responsabilidad penal por contagio de agentes infecciosos)

In the light of the logical structure of the abductive reasoning, this paper deals with the question concerning the selection of the explanatory nomological knowledge – especially with reference to the evaluation of its reliability and the «demarcation problem» – and the use of scientific evidence to prove causation. The author focuses his attention on the sentence of the Italian Cassation Court in the “Grandi Rischi” case (2009 – 2016) and deals with the use of phylogenetic analysis to prove causation in prosecutions for HIV or HCV transmission. In his final remarks, he maintains the need for judges to have proper interdisciplinary training in order to understand those scientific issues that frequently arise in criminal trials.