This is a 50 page UBC Law Review narrative on the inadequacies of courts to recognize junk “forensic” experts. Battling Canadian bitemarkers leave a trail of exaggerated claims and criminal case law that is blind to scientific principles.
Forensics: Forensic Dental ageing expert claims his claims of “science” shouldn’t be the only method. Why use it at all?
For years, these dentists have inappropriate claims of high percentages of accuracy to their adult versus juvenile ageing methods which they present in US immigration courts. This WaPo article summarizes how the federal controlled courts and prosecutors continue to use these dentists who are liberally paid to run a 2 minute proprietary and scientifically inaccurate software program which looks at the root development of third molars (wisdom teeth). Their per hour rate averages $500. It is even higher if the dentist evaluates more than one case per hour.
Quotes from 2 dentists show how far apart the opinions of these ageing practitioners are from any relationship with scientific reliability. Take a look. It is important for the children to be safe.
Other articles on this subject.
Forensics: Unscientific, biased and exaggerated dental ageing in use by dentists hired by ICE
Forensics: Another bogus method from the bitemarkers. Ageing children as adults for ICE
Forensics: Decertified DNA mixture methods affected 1300 convictions in the US.
An in-house DNA mixture program that has been abandoned by the NYCME’s office gets a jaundiced review by an ex-DA judge. Unfortunately, the legal and political barriers to its effect on past convictions is left up to lawyers to consider. It’s all about “weight.”
https://gothamist.com/news/judge-attacks-controversial-dna-software-s-still-used-send-people-prison
Forensics: Public familial DNA companies secretly aiding the FBI
Good thread on law enforcement’s expanding use of public corporations who have access to public DNA databases. Customers now worried. But its a business opportunity for one new company.
We should add some convers on false positive or otherwise misleading “matches” assumed to be fact. Who has any oversight for this? Police? Isn’t this Forensic evidence?
Forensics: let’s hear it for another biased and messed up Jack the Ripper case
This time its the Journal of Forensic Sciences that gets the gong for publishing a one-sided example of fumbled assumptions and disconnected exaggerations abt mitochondrial DNA.
https://www.kxan.com/news/jack-the-ripper-identity-questioned-by-texas-state-research-professor/
Forensics: Revealing the effects of politics tainting forensic science
The sociology of police crime labs is thoroughly disclosed in this short article. Max Houck recognizes the 10 year old NAS Report and he offers some improvements. Tell that to the USDOJ. Again.
Forensics: Decomp measurements linked to Post mortem interval..
Looking for answers in all the “right” places.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X19301421
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X19301421
Michigan Forensics: Legislation to create Forensic Science Commission
These authors have introduced a bill to establish a FSC in the US state of Michigan. The Texas FS Texas commission effectively delisted bitemarks four years ago. In both cases wrongful convictions will be continue to be revealed.
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2019/09/16/opinion-michigan-needs-state-based-forensic-science-commission/2291922001/
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Forensics: Botched digital measurements led to 11 years in prison. New trial ordered.
DAs expert used a fancy software program to analyze a robbery vid. He botched it. The perp is short. This man is 6’3″. A jailhouse snitch lied during his trial. The DA was mute during all of it.
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/courts/2019/09/12/texas-man-subject-of-netflix-doc-ordered-released-after-11-years-behind-bars/
Forensics: Hearings | Hearings & Legislation | House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
Hearings | Hearings & Legislation | House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
— Read on science.house.gov/hearings/raising-the-bar-progress-and-future-needs-in-forensic-science
Best minds in the business. Mostly female. Quite nice.
