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Author Archives: csidds
Another ridiculous bitemark case emerges into public view after 30+ years
The evidence: I’m assisting in two other cases attempting to eradicate junk science within criminal courts. This third case is an example of similar arguments during an adversarial hearing combining attempts to test new DNA evidence and publish research debunking … Continue reading
Obama Left Forensic Science Reform At the Altar
That’s according to Radley Balko at the Washington Post. He sums up the missed opportunity for the outgoing US president to push his Attorney General Lynch and the FBI’s Comey to open a proper dialogue after the PCAST report from … Continue reading
Touch DNA: “In the eye of the beholder” leads to conflicting interpretations
Pretty good over-view on “secondary transference” of epithelial cells being used in criminal cases that some deny happens and others use as a defense strategy. Clearly, it’s all in the “eye” of prosecutors and police. Michelle Mankin’s blog. Plus a … Continue reading
Posted in criminal justice, forensic science reform
Tagged criminal justice, DNA profiling, Forensic science, touch DNA
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Forensics is a mess and the Prosecutors love it: Reason Magazine
A telling expose ‘from Reason’s latest article on the sad (to some) state of resistance from the police forensic, LEO and prosecutor communities looking towards safeguards in police use and misuse of science in the US courts. This resonates with … Continue reading
2016 Top Ten Forensic Science Posts
The year’s most read posts from Forensics in Focus. Happy New Year. What is a partial forensic DNA “match”? Obstinate DA pursues new trial in William Richards’ case. PCAST: Forensic science reform gets knee-jerk backlash from law enforcement. Top 9 … Continue reading
Fentanyl-like drugs are pouring in primarily from China, U.S. officials say
This is a real war on drugs being fought at the DEA and forensic crime labs. Fentanyl is 50 stronger than heroin. San Francisco Chronicle.
Posted in Crime, CSI, forensic toxicology
Tagged DEA forensics, fentanyl, US opioid deaths
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Disproportionate number of minorities in DNA databases misdirects cases
Here is a lede from the New York Legal Aid Society about the slowly trending use of racially skewed DNA bases being LEO searched for relatives of suspects. (More news below). The limitations of familial DNA also made headlines in … Continue reading
Posted in DNA profiling, Forensic Science
Tagged CSI, DNA profiling, Forensic science
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Natl Institute of Standards and Tech, praising advances in DNA, leaves out bitemark rejection
NIST is the uber-arm of science in the world of the federal government and has a wide view on most things in our physical world. Its holiday post reflects on 2016’s triumphs and removal of some obsolete methods in forensics … Continue reading
Posted in AAFS, criminal justice reform, CSI, forensic science reform
Tagged Bad forensic science, Forensic science, NIST
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When flies besmirch the crime scene, this might avoid DNA mistakes
Interesting look at separating fly DNA from human DNA at a messy crime scene. Hopefully the fly crap can be separated out after the research is completed. There are cases where flyspecks (regurg and poop) are mis-identified as blood spatter and … Continue reading
Posted in DNA mixtures, Forensic Science
Tagged fly poop at crime scenes, Forensic science
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Top Ten Forensic Articles in Dec 2016 for @CSIDDS
Looking back on the most popular articles published this month in Forensics in Focus. Thank you all for following!! The $2 drug tests are great for law enforcement drug warriors, but not much goo for anyone else. Utter silence from … Continue reading
FORENSICS and LAW in FOCUS @ CSIDDS | News and Trends 