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Author Archives: csidds
Fingerprint device captures prints as person walks past
Commerical press release lacks much depth but suggests interesting privacy implications with this just FBI approved optical printing system. “Each ANDI OTG system instantly captures four fingerprints from an individual as they walk past the device.” Im not sure what the … Continue reading
The odd “reform” coexistence of law enforcement, criminal justice and private forensic orgs
Taking some joy out of Xmas, the Wash Post columnist Radley Balko draws out the pattern of current forensic events focusing on methods review into a broader question. How difficult is it to change multi-governmental institutional culture? He describes how the … Continue reading
Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks
Tagged Criminal Justice, CSI, Forensic science, junk science, National Commission on Forensic Science, Radley Balko
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Major US Forensic Lab Scandals by State : The DOJ takes a stab at solution
Originally posted on FORENSICS and LAW in FOCUS @ CSIDDS | News and Trends:
Rumblings about mess-ups in US government-run forensic labs has finally reached the US DOJ. The reliability aspects of who does the “accreditation” is another matter. Thanks to NACDL…
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Innocence Projects’ praise for Texas Forensic Commission’s deep look into bitemarks
The NY Innocence Project talks about this week’s New York Times article which has gone viral on the Net as an example of forensic science “reform” taking place in Texas. The bitemarkers are resorting to innuedos and red herrings to defend … Continue reading
Major US Forensic Lab Scandals by State : The DOJ takes a stab at solution
Rumblings about mess-ups in US government-run forensic labs has finally reached the US DOJ. The reliability aspects of who does the “accreditation” is another matter. Thanks to NACDL and @celiagivens at the DNA Newsletter. DOJ to Mandate Lab Accreditation The … Continue reading
Forensics: How Police actions can lead to a Homicide years after the incident
Remember that when a medical examiner renders homicide as the manner of a death, there are three subcategories ranging from 1) murder 2) manslaughter and 3) justifiable. This article talks about a police-action-related injury (brain injury) evolving years later to … Continue reading
Forensics: Correcting the effects of junk science is problematic in the US
The separation of the US judiciary individual state court systems creates a systemic obstacle to curing past damage created by flawed CSI expert testimony. Montana is the example used in this article to put this in a sharper focus. http://mtstandard.com/crime-and-courts/some-states-review-flawed-hair-analysis-convictions-but-so-far/article_078e5c5d-2d97-503f-b9fa-af337aa08585.html
Forensics: Decomp rate of microbial system in dead bodies considered marker for TOD
Dead bodies are the topic today. Researchers from UC of San Diego are talking about Time of Death determinations using bacteria. Considering the encironmental and physical factors that influence decomposition rathers, this research still has a longgg way to go. … Continue reading
Posted in AAFS, ABFO
Tagged American Academy of Forensic Science, crime labs, Forensic science
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Forensics: New York Times calls Bitemarkers’ Evidence risking “Lives in Balance”
The lack of legit validation for the AAFS supported bitemark ID group was in plain sight during last month’s Texas Forensic Science Commission fact-finding hearing on this junk forensic science. This photo shows Innocent Project’s Director of Strategic Litigation Chris Fabricant … Continue reading
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Forensic expert muses on his certitude that possible death penalty outcome is not relevant
This is the landscape of NGRI the defense (not guilty by reason of insanity or incompetent to be executed). Or lack thereof. If nothing else, this open declaration by a forensic expert reveals a rationale of the “greater good” somehow … Continue reading
FORENSICS and LAW in FOCUS @ CSIDDS | News and Trends 