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.
Police around the US say they’re justified to run DNA-generated 3D models of faces through facial recognition tools to help crack cold cases. Everyone but the cops thinks that’s a bad idea.
— Read on www.wired.com/story/parabon-nanolabs-dna-face-models-police-facial-recognition/
AI discovers that not every fingerprint is un | EurekAlert!
— Read on www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1030475
The state can provide the wrongfully convicted compensation of $50,000 for each year of incarceration, but the law’s narrow criteria and confusion over eligibility leave former prisoners facing another system that seems stacked against them.
— Read on www.propublica.org/article/why-michigan-failing-compensate-wrongly-convicted-despite-law
In France, experts are often selected by judges from lists published by the courts.
— Read on www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2024/jan/03/a-need-to-define-forensic-expertise-2647232.html
The technique, developed before DNA testing, can’t definitively tie suspects to crime scenes.Try explaining that to juries — or some judges.
— Read on scheerpost.com/2023/12/30/old-school-hair-analysis-is-junk-science-but-it-still-keeps-people-behind-bars/
New York City’s Medical Examiner’s office said Friday it is reviewing hundreds of cases in a probe of misconduct by three forensic analysts
— Read on www.nydailynews.com/2023/12/15/nyc-medical-examiners-office-reviewing-hundreds-of-cases-in-budding-lab-scandal/
Each of these cases takes years to litigate and $ defendants don’t possess. The technique, developed before DNA testing, can’t definitively tie suspects to crime scenes. Try explaining that to juries — or some judges.
— Read on www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/12/how-the-junk-science-of-hair-analysis-keeps-people-behind-bars/
Hebrew University Prof. Gila Kahila Bar-Gal uses her knowledge of difficult DNA extraction and physical anthropology as she volunteers at Abu Kabir
— Read on www.timesofisrael.com/expert-in-ancient-dna-and-wildlife-forensics-helps-identify-oct-7-massacre-victims/
DNA analysis-based identification is by far the gold standard in forensic genetics and it should be performed in every case involving human remains or unidentified bodies. Bones and teeth are the preferred source of human DNA for genetic analysis. However, there are cases where the nature of the proceedings and historical significance prevent the disruption of skeletal structure. The remains may also be heavily degraded. In such situations, forensic geneticists seek alternative sources of human DNA. Teeth calculus has proven to be a viable source of DNA for identification purposes. The aim of this study was to assess the concentration of human DNA in teeth calculus and evaluate the usefulness of teeth calculus as a DNA source in the identification process. Teeth calculus was collected from skeletons exhumed between 2021 and 2022 by the PBGOT (Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianism) team from the former Stalag IID prisoner-of-war camp in Stargard. Genetic analyses included the determination of autosomal and Y-STR markers. The total concentration of human DNA was also evaluated in samples from teeth calculus and teeth taken from the same individuals. The pilot study included 22 skeletons with a sufficient amount of calculus for isolation (specified in the protocol). Samples were taken from the largest areas of calculus deposited on lingual surfaces of mandibular incisors. The prepared samples underwent DNA extraction. Our study demonstrated that teeth calculus is a source of human DNA for remains from the World War II period. The obtained DNA concentration allowed for the determination of STR markers. It was shown that teeth calculus contains human DNA in an amount suitable for preliminary identification analyses.
— Read on www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-48761-7
FORENSICS and LAW in FOCUS @ CSIDDS | News and Trends 