Author Archives: csidds

Unknown's avatar

About csidds

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

Forensics in Thailand shows an ugly lack of fairness in Aussie double murder case.

Here’s another case where human rights and so-called use of  “forensic science”  have little in common. A notable Thai forensic expert denounces the forensic “proof” left unavailable to defendants’ lawyers in this murder of two Australian tourists. Politics ran away … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, Civil rights, human rights violations | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bitemarks linked to child abuse arrest

(Note: Regardless of all the digital artwork,  measurements seen in this case are not accurate for biter “matching”) The prevalance of bitemark injuries brought forth  in child abuse investigations and prosecutions has never been disputed but they have been as … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Flap over showing medical students plane crash photos from MH17

A Dutch medical and forensic professor got slammed by some bureaucrat for lecturing students with the aid of the Malaysia Air plane crash victims’ remains. Apparently some journalists snuck into his professional presentation. The main issue regarding post or ante … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Forensics: Fire Science course in TX used to “fine-tune” arson protocols in light of Willingham case.

I’m sure John Lentini, at http://firescientist.com/, who has helped create major changes in arson evidence interpretation throughout the US, has some comments to add on this subject of “human case” analysis advances with fire investigators. http://www.firehouse.com/article/12146450/fatal-fire-investigations-forensic-fire-death-class-in-texas

Posted in AAFS | Leave a comment

How a DA used an “inconclusive” DNA result to imply it supported the victim’s testimony

No one ever denies that criminal trials are merely a war of words supporting implications of guilt or innocence. The experts were not at the crime scene, and neither was the jury nor the judge. That’s what makes victim visual … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, expert testimony, Forensic Science Bias | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Forensics: Failed forensic footwear test leads to firing and failed lawsuit against WI DOJ

Talk about a headache for crime lab management. The fired footwear examiner started by alleging the shoeprint exam was flawed to begin with. http://www.wisbar.org/NewsPublications/Pages/General-Article.aspx?ArticleID=24514

Posted in AAFS | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

US Air Force Forensic Science consultant killed in Afghan bombing

She was a remarkable person in many ways. Condolences to her family. U.S. Air Force Maj. Adrianna Vorderbruggen, 36, was killed along with five other U.S. military personnel by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle outside Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, on … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Another ugly story about how junk forensic science ruins lives in the US

This is the first time I have heard a judge describe junk forensic science as a threat to “public safety.” I use the original Latin phrase……. Salus populi suprema lex “Public safety is the highest law” https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/citing-flawed-forensics-va-governor-pardons-man-who-spent-years-in-prison-in-deadly-arson-fire/2015/12/24/357edde6-aa7d-11e5-8058-480b572b4aae_story.html

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The rocky road to forensic credibility in Texas leads to positive results

This story from the Texas Monthly continues to be a testament to how opening the minds of diverse forensic and legal professionals can lead to progress in reaching scientific goals and standards in the courts. Here is a excerpt about … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Get off your liberal duff and donate to the Innocence Projects – 336 exonerations to date

Learn about the reasons wrongful convictions occur in the US. Its not what you may think. Retired police chief Darrel Stephens has something to say about the subject: Through my work for the Innocence Inquiry Commission and later the Innocence … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments