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.

Fed Judge accepts self regulated forensics: “PCAST not regulatory”; forensic mistakes “low”

To the real story. Its about…….crime labs and courts self-regulating themselves on scientific issues rather than the 2016 PrEsiDEnTiAl ELEctiOn. All those “selfie” factors on the left are spot on. I wish for a figure 2 to measure the incidence … Continue reading

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Disappointed? Am Academy of Forensic Sciences blurb on PCAST and forensic validation

[Comments] and bold emphasis are mine. In summary, I call it misleading in certain important aspects. As Max Houck says in this re Tweet,  Crime lab debate misses the point and culprits. Lab is political football AND under-resourced. [from this “Our … Continue reading

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The Donald on #forensic criminal justice – De Niro and Petro – Groping vs Central Park 5 rape

  Donald Trump still not needing no DNA regarding the Central Park 5 case and his unrequited stupidity “and worse” are the topics today. Plus, he’s an “idiot” according to actor Robert De Niro. Play the De Niro 0.55 video … Continue reading

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Science vs Forensics – Podcast on Bugs, Bitemark “Whack-A-Mole” and Bungled Fingerprints

This jazzy podcast is worth the time to take a look. I’d give it an ‘A’ for lay people and students interested in the ‘semi to non’ science presently used in forensic practice.. Here is a commercial “Science Vs’ program … Continue reading

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The horror of the missing and unidentified focuses on the Mexican Border

There is a few things to be said on this subject here starting with, in my opinion [ along with others connected with Missing Persons investigations], that the number of unidentified human remains in the US are a massive ‘cold … Continue reading

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He said, she said, she sues in ballistics lab worker’s defamation case.

This civil case brought by a Georgia crime lab examiner shows us most of the issues surrounding usage of expert opinion certainties of “a match” versus news quotes from other experts and the media’s reporting that must be considered “malicious” … Continue reading

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CA Prosecutors Who Withhold or Tamper with Evidence Now Face Felony Charges

Originally posted on Wrongful Convictions Blog:
Well ….. it’s about time! This is a “biggy” – a significant step in establishing prosecutorial accountability and exposure to sanctions. California has just enacted a law that exposes prosecutors who withhold or tamper…

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Another judge as “gatekeeper” keeps the ball rolling for fibers, oks DNA, and fingerprints

Just another day for a judge allowing certain forensic info into a trial in order to have the jury decide on the ‘scientific facts.’ The biggest ‘if’ I have about this case is the fiber person saying “the same clothing” … Continue reading

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Continuing information on the battle of #ForensicScienceReform and #WRONGFULCONVICTIONDAY

Edited by Julie Fry Written by Celia Givens Law enforcement officials in at least 4 states have been collecting voluntary DNA samples from people who are not suspected of or charged with a crime  Over the past ten years, law … Continue reading

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Researchers seek to use hair protein analysis as a more reliable alternative to hair microscopy

Ah, the evolution of a forensic news release about a “breakthrough” into the world of validation. It shouldn’t be done afterwards. But as this says, backwards is how bitemarks and hair shaft comparisons got their start. And that turned out … Continue reading

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