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.

Decrepit US system of homicide investigating is revealed

An amazing study of US unsolved homicide analysis that breaks through to the truth of how antiquated CJ attitudes hinder real crime fighting. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/04/02/why-are-american-cops-so-bad-at-catching-killers

Posted in criminal justice, US homicide statistics analysis, wrongful convictions | Leave a comment

Forensics: Wisc payout of $6.5M on wrongful conviction considered a ‘bargain” by its defense lawyer.

Wyoming crime lab tech cooks his own credentials San Francisco law enforcement reeling over multiple scandals Forensic science only offers probabilities, not guarantees that justice will be served How a defense pathology expert can get smeared in court by getting … Continue reading

Posted in costs of wrongful convictions, criminal justice, expert testimony, forensic science misconduct | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The New York Times Forensic Science discussion seems odd

One person talks about “fixing forensics.” The other asks for forensic experts to be more HONEST about the limitations of what they (for better or worse in some cases) generally call “science.” Talk about attacking a serious subject from both … Continue reading

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Forensics: Bad grades in DNA lab proficiency tests leads to nastiness in court

This is an update from yesterday’s report on the SFO crime DNA lab getting hammered for insufficiencies. Full article. The next link is also related to this topic. SFO Distrist Attorney now going after an investigation of the SFO Police, Sheriffs, and … Continue reading

Posted in DNA mixtures, DNA profiling, forensic science misconduct | Tagged , | 1 Comment

John Lentini on underpaid and under ‘scienced’ arson investigators; Bad ballistics and fingerprints in Omaha

From the man who is bringing arson investigations into a science-based method using chemistry, physics, thermodynamics and testing. Unfortunately there are hiccups in finding  $ and any police who have a science background. Full article. Omaha prosecutor warns defense attorneys about … Continue reading

Posted in fingerprints, Forensic Science | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Peter Neufeld on broken forensics needing a fix. SFO Police lab keeps coming up short. This time its DNA:

“According to testimony and evidence revealed in a trial late last year, the analyst allegedly filled in the gaps in poor-quality, incomplete genetic evidence. She generated two complete genetic profiles, and both were sent off as definitive test results to … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, Bad Forensic Science, exoneration, forensic science reform | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The aftermath of death row exoneration: Milke, Ford, Krone

Ray Krone was convicted to death on bogus forensic science. The expert still refuses to admit any regrets. Read how 3 exonorees have coped with freedom. http://m.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2015/0326/Debra-Milke-Why-freedom-feels-so-elusive-to-death-row-exonerees-video

Posted in Bitemarks, costs of wrongful convictions, exoneration | Leave a comment

Forensics: GermanWings 320 recovery details

“A team of 50 forensic workers face a daunting scene: a vast stretch of debris scattered over treacherous mountain ridges that can only be accessed with the help of climbing gear and a cadre of mountaineers.” Thus far about 500 … Continue reading

Posted in Forensic Science, Mass Disaster recovery | Tagged , | Leave a comment

BACK to Supreme Court to test new law on forensic ‘science’

A remarkably sad, infuriating  and frustrating ordeal one man in California prison has experienced for 22 years is winding up in intensity. William Richards’ 1997 murder conviction in San Bernardino had been overturned by a habeas corpus hearing in 2010, … Continue reading

Posted in Bad Forensic Science, Bitemarks, criminal justice, Forensic Science, junk forensic science, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

UK’s Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) subject of critical report.

Originally posted on Wrongful Convictions Blog:
The Criminal Cases Review Commission of England and Wales (Scotland has their own Commission) has been the subject of a recent inquiry by the UK Parliament’s Select Justice Committee (see here). The inquiry received…

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