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Monthly Archives: December 2016
Forensics is a mess and the Prosecutors love it: Reason Magazine
A telling expose ‘from Reason’s latest article on the sad (to some) state of resistance from the police forensic, LEO and prosecutor communities looking towards safeguards in police use and misuse of science in the US courts. This resonates with … Continue reading
2016 Top Ten Forensic Science Posts
The year’s most read posts from Forensics in Focus. Happy New Year. What is a partial forensic DNA “match”? Obstinate DA pursues new trial in William Richards’ case. PCAST: Forensic science reform gets knee-jerk backlash from law enforcement. Top 9 … Continue reading
Fentanyl-like drugs are pouring in primarily from China, U.S. officials say
This is a real war on drugs being fought at the DEA and forensic crime labs. Fentanyl is 50 stronger than heroin. San Francisco Chronicle.
Posted in Crime, CSI, forensic toxicology
Tagged DEA forensics, fentanyl, US opioid deaths
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Disproportionate number of minorities in DNA databases misdirects cases
Here is a lede from the New York Legal Aid Society about the slowly trending use of racially skewed DNA bases being LEO searched for relatives of suspects. (More news below). The limitations of familial DNA also made headlines in … Continue reading
Posted in DNA profiling, Forensic Science
Tagged CSI, DNA profiling, Forensic science
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Natl Institute of Standards and Tech, praising advances in DNA, leaves out bitemark rejection
NIST is the uber-arm of science in the world of the federal government and has a wide view on most things in our physical world. Its holiday post reflects on 2016’s triumphs and removal of some obsolete methods in forensics … Continue reading
Posted in AAFS, criminal justice reform, CSI, forensic science reform
Tagged Bad forensic science, Forensic science, NIST
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When flies besmirch the crime scene, this might avoid DNA mistakes
Interesting look at separating fly DNA from human DNA at a messy crime scene. Hopefully the fly crap can be separated out after the research is completed. There are cases where flyspecks (regurg and poop) are mis-identified as blood spatter and … Continue reading
Posted in DNA mixtures, Forensic Science
Tagged fly poop at crime scenes, Forensic science
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Top Ten Forensic Articles in Dec 2016 for @CSIDDS
Looking back on the most popular articles published this month in Forensics in Focus. Thank you all for following!! The $2 drug tests are great for law enforcement drug warriors, but not much goo for anyone else. Utter silence from … Continue reading
Forensics: Making sure your employer get paid regardless…….
An insider look about genetic ‘counselors’ selling imperfect testing services and exaggerating results in order to stay employed. Hmm, the same might be said for police using junk drug testing kits from Kmart. https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/03/05/when-baby-due-genetic-counselors-seen-downplaying-false-alarms/bBC0KAFVidJASkkOiMg6DI/story.html
Interim Austin Crime Lab boss gets the boot; lab closed
Austin’s police chief apologized Friday for massive problems at the Police Department’s crime lab, saying he had ceased all efforts to reopen the DNA part of the troubled facility and had removed the man recently hired to get it back … Continue reading
The occasionally bizarre world of forensics in 2016 – Its a parallel universe
Since bitemarks don’t work, let’s use them for exonerations. Some prosecutors are just beyond funny. This NDAA president’s recent illogical support saying bitemarks in criminal investigations and court are capable of determining whether a person is NOT guilty of violent crime … Continue reading
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