Author Archives: csidds

Unknown's avatar

About csidds

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

An example of the “finality of verdict” mentality of police and DAs in the US : They ‘deep six’ the evidence

Sorry to use the “deep six” phrase (verrry unprofessional) but it surely applies to this growing track record of the various Innocence Project Network (IPN) investigation cases litigating suspected wrongful convictions. They are told the evidence used to convict no … Continue reading

Posted in criminal justice, wrongful convictions | Tagged , | 1 Comment

#Forensics in Focus : US experts not helping in Mexico Massacre, more forensic inaccuracies in the media …………

New DNA test can specifically identify the difference between identical twins.  Where are the US forensic experts in this? Austrian forensic experts may shed light on Mexico massacre  via @reuters Once more, so much for media accuracy in forensics. Security experts doubt … Continue reading

Posted in ABFO, criminal justice, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

DNA versus ABFO bitemark opinion and the FBI CODIS gaff denies chance to find the real murderer

Click picture for Gerard’s post exoneration video The NY Innocence Projects’s fight to identify a murderer is blocked by a ridiculous FBI rule about “lawyer lab certification.” All this started with another wrongful conviction ( N=1480 at the National Registry … Continue reading

Posted in ABFO, Bitemarks, criminal justice, junk forensic science, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

#Forensics in Michael Brown shooting : Chaos, uncertainty and confusion in the Press and now….Silence?

Originally posted on FORENSICS and LAW in FOCUS @ CSIDDS | News and Trends:
Summary and comment: The staid demeanor of most forensic science CSI shows and public conventions has been contradicted  by the explosion of news media coverage of forensics related…

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Despite DNA, California Courts say Expert testimony is “merely an opinion” and “can’t be false”

FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM This past year has been a tremendous success for the California Innocence Project on many fronts, from successes in the courtroom to increased media and public awareness of our cause and mission.  2014 also saw success in … Continue reading

Posted in forensic science reform, junk forensic science | Tagged | Leave a comment

Forensic science review : 40 years of assuming “unique dental profiling” now considered unproven – AGAIN

The vagaries of what is “science” is a topic of interest to historians and those in the science business as part of their training. “Scientific advance” is what is expected to be the outcome. An odd variant is when some … Continue reading

Posted in Bitemarks, criminal justice, forensic science reform, Ray Krone bitemark case, Wrongful Conviction | Tagged , | Leave a comment

More on the physical evidence from Ferguson from WaPo

This opinion includes graphics and an observation that protestors and others don’t seem to care what the forensic evidence suggests and affirms. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2014/11/28/the-physical-evidence-in-the-michael-brown-case-supported-the-officer/

Posted in Brown shooting evidence, criminal justice, Forensic Science | Tagged | Leave a comment

#Forensics in Michael Brown shooting : Chaos, uncertainty and confusion in the Press and now….Silence?

Summary and comment: The staid demeanor of most forensic science CSI shows and public conventions has been contradicted  by the explosion of news media coverage of forensics related to Michael Brown’s shooting in Ferguson, MO. Who says forensic scientists always … Continue reading

Posted in criminal justice, Ferguson Forensics, Michael Brown forensic science | Tagged , | 1 Comment

#Forensics The trending myth of #science in Shaken Baby convictions

Another terrible example of non-research based forensic opinions. m.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/11/how-can-doctors-be-sure-a-babys-been-shaken/382632 Download the official Twitter app here Sent from my iPhone

Posted in criminal justice, junk forensic science | Tagged | Leave a comment

#Forensics DNA and Amanda Knox case. Defense perspective

Nothing more compelling than crime scene DNA. Problems occur when the cops cannot find any at first. Then do a poor job collecting it. And then the prosecution continues regardless. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/10344492/No-DNA-evidence-to-place-Amanda-Knox-at-the-murder-scene.html

Posted in criminal justice, CSI | Tagged | Leave a comment