Monthly Archives: January 2016

Forensic Bias? Did an autopsy doc get wind of a suspect’s confession now considered coerced?

The interplay of homicide death investigations conducted by medical personnel employed by the same agency investigating a suspect is fodder for doubts concerning undo influence. Its the subject of this The Intercept article just out from Jordan Smith. It is … Continue reading

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Forensics: Make sure you get all the case records and photographs before you testify

Sometimes, decisions must be made by an expert on the spur of the moment. One cannot prepare for all unexpected events. Here is an example. Nothing is more embarrassing or potentially catastrophic to any forensic expert than to find out … Continue reading

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How politics enters the crime lab from the front door: Cops influencing technician reporting

Forensic Fraud: Scientists Say State Police Gave In To Political Pressure With Crime Lab Policy As much as the major forensic organizations (AAFS and state run lab associations and their accreditors) don’t object to the association of crime labs and … Continue reading

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Forensics: The vagaries of determining the Time of Death (TOD) during autopsy

The recent ABC 20/20 show “Her last chance” on California Innocence Project’s client, Kimberly Long, put in perspective how some police agencies get help or by omission, no help, from pathology information. In Kim’s case, her conviction being vacated is … Continue reading

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Is Forensic Science Capable of Correcting Its Woes?

The seminal theme of the US forensic community professes that it can solve its own problems. I doubt it.  The public sees in the media these negative forensic themes: undo police/DA/politico attitude influences, the imbalance of drug testing predominating over … Continue reading

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Taking bitemark evidence to the White House: Video speaker provides no answers to wrongful convictions

When you have no scientific proofs to contradict years of unreliable expert testimony and false forensic education on the subject, this speaker just blames everyone but himself. He doesn’t dare answer the scientific inquiries of this White House panel on … Continue reading

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The fight to eliminate the use of bitemarks turns nasty as usual : Manhattan DAs sniping response

In a angry, defensive memo, Manhattan DA’s office withdraws bite mark evidence. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2016/01/13/in-angry-defensive-memo-manhattan-das-office-withdraws-bite-mark-evidence/  

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Forensics: The White House Office of Sci Tech investigates Bitemark Believers on Jan 15

Originally posted on FORENSICS and LAW in FOCUS @ CSIDDS | News and Trends:
? ? The Obama Administration offers a potpourri of forensic practitioners at a public hearing scheduled for  Jan 15th. Among them is one of the pro bitemark witnesses who…

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Forensic lab autonomy in Mexico way ahead of US counterpart labs managed by police

Police have no jurisdiction in Mexican forensic science laboratories and investigations. DNA crime scene collection is done by civilian investigators. Fascinating. My county has made at least four attempts, in the last 30+ years, to put the Ventura County ME’s office … Continue reading

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Read the Manhattan DAs total nonsense regarding forensic science reform

Here is the correct linkage to Manhattan ADAs Mourges ( a link to some more of her shenanigans) and Robert Ferrari’s flaming rhetoric and bile about why bitemark matchers are as good as fingerprints in identifying suspects of crime. I suppose … Continue reading

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