Author Archives: csidds
Forensics: The battle of open access for scientific research papers. UCLA get slapped by mega publisher Elsevier.
The publisher spans the world for science, medicine and some things forensics. It has one open access (i.e. free) journal about forensics. Good for them. This story covers the larger issue of corporate profiteering (over charging) for information that is … Continue reading
Forensics: The Major UK Forensic Firm Gets Ransacked for Ransom
Oh dear, this is not very good news. Eurofins does this in the UK. Eurofins deals with over 70,000 criminal cases in the UK each year. It carries out DNA testing, toxicology analysis, firearms testing and computer forensics for police … Continue reading
Forensics: The Attack of the Bite Mark Matchers Revisited
Recent civil litigation regarding Robert Lee Stinson suing for compensation for his years in prison as an innocent man. Once again, its all about bitemarks. https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2019/06/26/prosecutor-dentists-swayed-him-gut-feeling-suspect-innocent/1561073001/ A broader look at the effects of scientifically inadequate bitemark opinions. (2015) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2015/02/18/attack-of-the-bite-mark-matchers-2/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.7d3a7afc5aa2
Forensics needs some help: Read from these leaders in science and law.
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Forensics: Statements why Shaken Baby Syndrome diagnoses are flawed and influenced by the courts.
The scientific fallacies of SBS This article has a checkered past as the authors’ compelling analysis was initially rejected. It is telling that their story parallels the process of how overreaching expertism, once adopted by the courts and despite scant … Continue reading
Posted in criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI, Forensic Science
Tagged science, Shaken Baby Syndrome
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Forensics: Opinion piece publishing warnings abt weak forensic document examiners wins defamation appeal in 7th Circuit
This look at forensic entitlement leading to frivolous litigation shows the gap between forensics and legitimate scientific advance. — Read on http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/aba-publication-wins-defamation-appeal-in-7th-circuit
Forensics: Dentists continue to assume bitemark patterns are accurate
As usual, dentists show little interest and generally ignore the fact that skin is easily distorted. This paper studies skin color. Meh. http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Scheila_Manica/publication/332415224_Exploring_bite_marks_on_different_types_of_skin_tones/links/5cb73f0692851c8d22f23ef3/Exploring-bite-marks-on-different-types-of-skin-tones.pdf
Forensics: Jack the Ripper and “clothing matching” = Looking at professional advancement despite “ubiquitous” reliability
In the shadow of the recent Jack the Ripper mtDNA fiasco, here is another. Apparently all our Levis’ pants seams and buttons are unique or something close to it according to one guy at the FBI. He gets a pass … Continue reading
Forensics: USING STATISTICS LIKE A DRUNKARD USES A LAMP POST; FOR SUPPORT NOT ILLUMINATION
Awesome read: Forensic/Science Accuracy . This is a British Commonwealth legal review of forensic expertism. Many nuggets of prior cases and judge-like opines are presented. The article also appreciates the contribution of US law profs Risinger, Saks, and Thompson’s activities … Continue reading
Forensics: Have you left your DNA trail at a crime scene recently?
Terrible questions will come to mind when the police call you up for an “interview.” Read this in advance. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/long-handshake-spread-your-dna-objects-you-didnt-touch
Posted in DNA profiling, Forensic Science, Uncategorized
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