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.

Its time for AAFS members to wake up and respond to this US #Forensic legislation

The AAFS [American Academy of Forensic Science: http://www.aafs.org%5D previously requested comments whether it should support the new legislation proposed by consortium of forensic science organizations (CFSO) creating an office of forensic science within the Department of Justice, within the Center … Continue reading

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Forensics: More crime lab scandals: This time DUI results in Denver

This is from Joe who commented to this blog: Thousands of Colorado DUI convictions could be in doubt amid forgery allegations: Colorado lawyers specializing in drunken-driving cases are questioning the validity of thousands of convictions after a technician who certified … Continue reading

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Forensics Wednesday: ‘we may have to police the police ourselves’ – and other stuff

Being poor keeps innocent people in jail and generally ruins lives of many who are not accused of serious crimes. Missouri’s underfunded public defender office forces the poor to languish in jail https://interc.pt/2lThu4T by @chronic_jordan. But the @JusticeDept  Sessions tells LEOs … Continue reading

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Univ of California Irvine Welcomes Nat’l Registry of Exonerations !!

California Innocence Project Director Justin Brooks and exoneree Brian Banks in 2012. Irvine, Calif., March 14, 2017 — The University of California, Irvine Newkirk Center for Science & Society is now the institutional home for the National Registry of Exonerations, … Continue reading

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Forensics: Junk arson ‘science’ leads to conviction, prison, then a coverup plea bargain

From @LilianaSegura. She spent two years on this and it’s worth the ‘long read.’ “How junk arson science convicted a mother of killing her own daughters.” How Junk Arson Science Convicted a Mother of Killing Her Own Daughters

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Forensics: This is not anecdotal evidence – Race and Innocence – and an apathetic DOJ

Media statements say that Sessions and his USDOJ does not read its own reports. And he admits it.  Tell them that the following is not /anəkˈdōdl/ (not necessarily true or reliable; without facts or research). Here is his USDOJ address https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice … Continue reading

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Forensics Today – The rise of the ‘I don’t care’ response to forensic science reform

When forensic reform was trending The Obama-era Commission on Forensic Science just finished its proposals for better over sight on forensics by the Executive branch in the form of an Office on Forensic Science.  It’s been under development back to Obama’s … Continue reading

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Familiar? Another bitemark conviction getting a DNA-based look after 16 years

Forensic science is not immune to the need for retesting and consideration of its’ flawed methods -Anon The number of exonerations in the US is probably going to increase with the addition of ‘new DNA technology’ evidence recovered from a … Continue reading

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Sudden cardiac death of younger people may be genetically controlled – SBS nexus?

“The gene, called CDH2, causes arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which is a genetic disorder that predisposes patients to cardiac arrest and is a major cause of unexpected death in seemingly healthy young people.” Let’s see if any of this … Continue reading

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Right to confront prosecution forensic expert now costs defendants $600

NC hates to send their forensic lab experts to court to attest to their labwork and experience the joy of cross-examination. That’s since Melendez- Diaz happened in 2009. It threw crime lab techs into court to authenticate and defend their … Continue reading

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