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Author Archives: csidds
Forensics: When politicians run the show. FUBAR. President Trump closed the White House pandemic office. I ran it. – The Washington Post
The federal government is moving too slowly, due to a lack of leadership. — Read on http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/nsc-pandemic-office-trump-closed/2020/03/13/a70de09c-6491-11ea-acca-80c22bbee96f_story.html
Forensics: Florida’s House passes forensic analysis reform for convicted felons
This bill forces the state to access the police national DNA database when post conviction forensic testing reveals an unknown profile. HB 7077 would make forensic tests more accessible to convicted felons. — Read on floridapolitics.com/archives/322663-house-passes-forensic-analysis-reform-for-convicted-felons
Forensics: After Slow Start, State to Probe 81 Convictions Involving Debunked Hair Analysis – Oklahoma Watch
49 states to go. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is working with district attorneys and others to examine 81 cases for possible wrongful conviction due to use of microscopic hair analysis, a debunked science. — Read on oklahomawatch.org/2020/03/10/after-slow-start-state-to-probe-81-convictions-involving-debunked-hair-analysis/
Forensics: DNA decontamination of fingerprint brushes
Interesting, since low count DNA testing now is derigeur in police crime labs. DNA decontamination of fingerprint brushes – In The Loop — Read on http://www.in-the-loop.net.au/dna-decontamination-of-fingerprint-brushes/
Forensics: The Innocence Projects legacy. Increasing the Integrity of Convictions Begins with Prosecutors
18 Utah-based convictions have been overturned since 1990 with prison sentences ranging from two years to life, according to the National Registry of Exonerations. Utah has approximately 3,000 prison admissions a year, and it is tempting to believe our wrongful … Continue reading
Posted in Innocence March, wrongful convictions
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Forensics: Junk shoeprint matching and DNA catches up with another famed forensic expert.
This is a continuing story involving Henry Lee and the crime lab where he has been a decades-long teacher and examiner. Added intrigue has to do with a FBI footprint guru teaching how to “definitely” identify a defendant from a … Continue reading
As the coronavirus outbreak evolves, we answer some key questions | Science News
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Forensics: Noted NY bitemarker dentist involved in another exoneration litigation. “Just like fingerprints.” Wood River murder hinged on bite mark evidence | Belleville News-Democrat
John Prante, from a St. Louis MO suburb, was convicted of Karla Brown’s Wood River IL murder wants his named cleared and a court to declare him innocent because his trial used bite mark teeth comparison evidence that science has … Continue reading
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/
