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Monthly Archives: February 2020
Forensics: DNA contamination personified in this case from Australia.
In the US, prosecutors in San Diego investigated the lab worker whose DNA was mixed up in the crime scene samples. He later committed suicide. This case in AU has similar DNA problems. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-28/more-dna-contamination-claims-emerge-at-claremont-trial/12011756
Forensics: A DC judge calls out police junk forensics – then limits expert ballistic evidence.
A rare look into a judge doing his job by using scientific principles to reject decades-long use of exaggerated bullet matching assumptions. Good summation of issues by Radley Balko at WaPo. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/02/28/dc-judge-issues-much-needed-opinion-junk-science/
Forensics: Bogus pattern matching in Australia leads back to the US FBI
Using science to correct false convictions goes on around the world. In Aussieland, this man spent 25 years in prison due to a “1/1,000 match” from a single hair. https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/02/why-is-courtroom-science-so-unscientific/
Forensics. Clothing seam pattern matching is junk.
Experts have to lie and mislead courts into accepting this as an identification science. https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/02/the-wear-patterns-of-your-jeans-arent-good-forensic-evidence/
Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bite Marks, CSI, forensic fraud, junk forensic science
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Forensics: A “cavalier”and long-time shaken baby expert will not admit his decades of misdiagnoses.
Dr. Steiner’s “Saving the kids” mantra was later adopted by the bitemarkers. https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/investigations/3news-investigates-science-behind-shaken-baby-cases-under-attack/95-049076b8-261c-41d7-87b2-a631864b2e6f
Forensics: Canadian look at bias in expert testimony
An appellate judge says distorted expert testimony can “swallow the entire judicial process.” https://www.lakecountrycalendar.com/columns/kootnekoff-problematic-experts-in-legal-proceedings/
Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bite Marks, CSI, expert testimony, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias
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Forensics: Perjury by a Prosecution expert #AAFS2020
Not all experts tell the truth. Good read for forensic students. https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2020/02/daniel-j-wright-perjury-by/
Forensics: Psych tests mostly junk says NRC
Psych experts have free reign in deciding courtroom outcomes in civil and criminal cases. Only 3% get their unregulated opinions are scrutinized during trial. https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/02/16/science/ap-us-sci-psychology-tests.html https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/02/16/science/ap-us-sci-psychology-tests.html
Forensics: If the UK cares about justice, it must fund forensic services properly | Angela Gallop | Opinion | The Guardian
Budget cuts in England and Wales have reduced independent oversight – and could lead to serious miscarriages of justice, says forensic scientist professor Angela Gallop — Read on http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/13/uk-justice-fund-forensic-services-budget-cuts
FORENSICS and LAW in FOCUS @ CSIDDS | News and Trends 