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.

How Bitemark evidence is still operating at the appellate level – The Kunco Case

The “relatively unique teeth” of John Kunco The “recaptured” evidence used against Kunco. There still is a long road for prison inmates to overcome what now is considered to be unvalidated “science” presented at their original trials. John Kunco’s case … Continue reading

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How “professional” scientific journals become shills for the bottom dollar

  All unSound Science Deserves to Be Pun[Publ]ished PLOS ONE gives researchers a faster path to publishing in a high-quality peer-reviewed journal. All work that reaches rigorous technical and ethical standards is published and freely and immediately available to everyone. … Continue reading

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The saga continues at the Ventura County Medical Examiners office

I would like to commend Dr. Ann Bucholtz (shown above) for her short, but effective tenure as Ventura County’s Medical Examiner. My perspective is as the forensic dentistry consultant for the VCME office for over 30 years. Dr. Bucholtz’s legacy … Continue reading

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National tragedy of unidentifieds languishing in Medical Examiner/Coroners lockers.

Dental information contained in this news release about Unknown human remains. The “Earthly Body” title seems interesting.  Note that the burned body was buried and needed exhumation before this information was published. Apparently the remains were found in 2006. Another … Continue reading

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US: Plain Jane reveal of changes in forensic confidence terminology, error testing, and use in courts

5 Kinds of Junk Science Prosecutors Have Used to Send People to Prison This is a simple and informative article. Some forensic folks really don’t like article and titles with “junk,” “shoddy” and “wrongful convictions” being used. To be fair, … Continue reading

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Another defense DNA expert has a bad day. Forgot to update his CV. Only has a Bachelors.

  This fellow has an extensive curriculum vitae. His website looks polished. He reports as being a Member of the AAFS and a Fellow of the ABC (Criminalists). He’s gotten the boot from a New York for a number of … Continue reading

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Thursday’s Quick Clicks…

Originally posted on Wrongful Convictions Blog:
Justice Dept. Announces Code of Conduct for Forensic Labs…Invests $63 Million In Nation’s Crime Labs The State Press: Wrongful conviction matters… Los Angeles Times: After a man convicted of murdering a woman goes free,…

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LEOs not reporting police shooting/custody deaths still using their DOJ grant money and MRAPS

The disonant (or maybe permissive) Department of Justice federal oversight of local law enforcement agencies seems to rival a tragicomedy versions of “who’s on first?” Or more impolitely, the boondoggle. The decades-long sharing of military equipment with police ( 1033 program … Continue reading

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Why exoneration litigation counts – Real murderers were left on the streets

Michael Hanline having his first hamburger since 1983. These cases always show how the real perps are left untouched to commit more murders and crime. The reasons for the exons commonly include police misconduct or weak investigations, lying witnesses or … Continue reading

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A brilliant cautionary tale on Fingerprints and their Scientific Uncertainty | The AAFS/ABFO dentists should read this | @csidds

Originally posted on FORENSICS and LAW in FOCUS @ CSIDDS | News and Trends:
? Fingerprints and a “bitemark” used to convict Bill Richards in 1997 in California. ? The partnerships between the AAFS and police sciences are very strong and professionally intertwined…

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