Author Archives: csidds

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About csidds

Dr. Michael Bowers is a long time forensic consultant in the US and international court systems.

Forensics: Want a BS excuse for “bad forensics”? Blame it on “bad apples.”

This is truly ridiculous counterpoint to forensic science reform, but the forensic industry and its associated prosecutors take it as gospel. The medical profession used claims of “perfection” in the 18th century when they used to bleed patients to death … Continue reading

Posted in Bitemarks, Crime lab scandal, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, junk forensic science | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Forensics Canada: Bitemarkers run amok; Courts and DAs prefer case precedence over science.

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. SSRN-id3201061   … Continue reading

Posted in ABFO, Bad Forensic Science, Bite Marks, Bitemarks, expert testimony, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, junk forensic science, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

“Almost junk forensic science” of blood spatter expertise – Its not as simple as it’s taught in class

Originally posted on FORENSICS and LAW in FOCUS @ CSIDDS | News and Trends:
Here is a good look at why “forensics” should be considered amateur-hour non-science in many jurisdictions. Article goes within a conviction that had the same cop being the…

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Forensics: regulating junk forensic expertise continues in Texas; other states lagging; from ‘Grits for Breakfast’

Top 10 junk forensic sciences challenged in Texas In the wake of the Forensic Science Commission declaring blood-spatter evidence in a 30-year old murder case “not accurate or scientifically supported,” Texas has lately again been getting deserved credit as a national leader on forensic … Continue reading

Posted in ABFO, Bitemarks, criminal justice reform, Forensic Science Bias, forensic science reform | Leave a comment

Forensic tap-dancing at its best

https://www.ocweekly.com/crime-lab-director-says-too-busy-to-search-for-forensic-science-errors/ Crime Lab Director Says Too Busy to Search for Forensic Science Errors R. Scott MoxleyJuly 11, 2018 Illustration by Bill Hunt Bruce Houlihan enjoys puzzles, but the Orange County Crime Lab director is purposely failing to solve one of … Continue reading

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Incompetent Forensics: Using DNA to identify incarcerated immigrant children

Trump’s ICE minions claim detained immigrant records were lost. Others contend they never existed. Massive DNA testing may now insue. Flubber-headed use of forensics by this org is clearly ludicrous. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/05/us/migrant-children-chaos-family-separation.html https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/05/politics/dna-testing-migrant-family-separation/index.html

Posted in AAFS, DNA profiling, Forensic Science Bias, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

NIJ Forensics 2018: page 10 deprecates exonerations from criminal convictions aided by unvalidated methods

The US federal look on the forensic issues relating to convictions of innocent defendants is on page 10. Its mostly platitudes and clearly misdirects the reader to consider that stats used by innocence litigators are flawed. The article’s mainstays are, … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, criminal justice reform, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, Forensic science misconduct, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Forensics: Non-destructive cytology used to ID crime specimens before DNA testing

This looks to optimize the recognition of crime scene biological samples prior to performing high cost DNA analysis. https://phys.org/news/2018-06-breakthrough-cell-imaging-major-impact.amp?__twitter_impression=true

Posted in DNA profiling, Forensic Science, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Science versus police forensics’ “reasonable medical certainty” mythology.

  For those unaware, the cop forensics use of “individualization” for pattern-matchers ain’t science. These authors explain why in simple terms for all of us. https://judicialstudies.duke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/JUDICATURE102.1-THOMPSON-etal-1.pdf

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, criminal justice reform, Forensic Science Bias, forensic science reform, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Bias in Cop and Forensic Investigations …….

              …….reads like my first 10 years of training from the bitemarkers at the ABFO. http://science.sciencemag.org/content/360/6386/243.full

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, costs of wrongful convictions, criminal justice reform, forensic science reform protecting the innocence, Uncategorized | Leave a comment