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.

Bitemarkers use child abuse cases to defend their continuing acceptance in courts

[ the top picture shows 6 categories (1 to 6) of increasing bitemark severity types starting at the top left and progressing to the bottom right. My comments below will refer to this picture.] At Monday’s hearing of the Texas … Continue reading

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Law enforcement agencies have invented a number of the techniques, including blood-spatter and bite-mark analysis.

Explanations on how the intersection of legal “yes or no” determinations of guilt and its interpretation of forensic “science” certainties is a train wreck. From the Boston Review; “Forensic Psuedoscience.” A quote from the BR “Law is a poor vehicle … Continue reading

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Kosinski on Criminal Justice reform and false evidence

By Radley Balko As part of its push for criminal justice reform, the Charles Koch Institute (yes,that Charles Koch) has just posted a series of interviews with Alex Kozinski, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. … Continue reading

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U of AZ Science Professor posits bitemark clique as “junk” on eve of TX hearing

UA Professor Tackles Faulty Courtroom Science [Image] Steven Mark Chaney recently walked out of a Dallas courtroom after his 1987 conviction was overturned because of discredited bite-mark testimony. (Photo: Innocence Project) Today, the Texas Forensic Science Commission hears more testimony … Continue reading

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UK : Police forced to reopen 350 cases botched by forensics officer who lied about credentials

Stephen Beattie, a senior forensics officer, was suspended and then quit in 2011 after it emerged that he exaggerated his expertise [This ethical transgression was first reported almost 5 years ago. Seems that this forensic review process described below was not a … Continue reading

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UK Forensic Science system fading away to nothing : Opinion

Standards of forensic science under threat Quote from this article: “The main difficulty I have in writing about forensic developments in the UK is that there are very few due to the government closing down the Forensic Science Service several … Continue reading

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TruTV takes on Forensic Science Myths that courts have accepted for decades

The first part of the segment has “Adam [guy on the left] Ruins Everything” electrifying a lie detector examiner. Airing on October 15 2015, the full episode flays the “olde school” forensic techniques still living large in the “CSI” universe. … Continue reading

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Ann Bucholtz appointed as Ventura Medical Examiner

The Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Dr. Ann Bucholtz as the County’s new Medical Examiner today following a closed session discussion. County Executive Officer Michael Powers brought the appointment to the Board. “Dr. Bucholtz is exactly the type … Continue reading

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Expert Forensics : Its not a good idea to recalculate your DNA during trial

Re-doing your forensic opinion during a evidentiary hearing in a serial killer (The “Grim Sleeper”) case in Los Angeles” will make EVERYONE very upset. This DNA fellow takes a huge hit from the judge, the prosecutor and his proffering defense attorney. … Continue reading

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Forensics: How not to stage your own suicide as a racist murder

Coroner Who Ruled Death Of ‘Hero Cop’ A Suicide Talks About Autopsy Process http://www.npr.org/2015/11/07/455159363/coroner-who-ruled-death-of-hero-cop-a-suicide-talks-about-autopsy-process

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