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 Focus @csidds | Feb 24, 2014| Years Old DNA Testing vs Current DNA Testing | A case of first impression?

 MONDAY FEB 24, 2014 CRIME LABs: New DNA TECH vs “outdated”  DNA methods The history of DNA technology, its standards and population statistics use in criminal courts goes back to the time (and earlier) of this original trial. This should … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, criminal justice, Forensic Science, junk forensic science | 1 Comment

Forensic Focus | Bitemarks on Death Row

Fridays’ FORENSIC FOCUS LINKS @csidds | Feb 21| Bitemarks on death row, crime lab backlogs a threat to public safety, breaking stats on hate crimes, What’s trending today. The biggest problem with forensic science is that’s there is almost NO information … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, Bitemarks, criminal justice, expert testimony, Forensic Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FORENSIC FOCUS LINKS @CSIDDS | Feb 19| WHAT’S OUT THERE TODAY | NEWS, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW

FORENSIC FOCUS @CSIDDS LINKS | Feb 19 | COLD CASE: Oregon suspect linked to AZ cold case as crime scene fingerprints “resubmitted” to the Federally managed archive. I wonder what happened to the first submission? The cold case is 40 … Continue reading

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

FORENSIC FOCUS @CSIDDS | Feb 18 | Science, News Trends and the Law

1. Crime Lab’s testing of the demon marijuana puts their CSI’s late for the party. Many states’ government funded labs are swamped with low priority, but a source of steady to high income (for law enforcement), pot that clogs other … Continue reading

Posted in criminal justice, Forensic Science | Leave a comment

FORENSIC FOCUS | Links to Science, News Trends and the Law

FORENSIC FOCUS LINKS: Monday Feb 17, 2014 FORENSIC CASES, RESEARCH AND TRAINING with some criminal justice. 1. Register for Tuesday Feb 18 webcast presentations at the AAFS annual meeting. Topics are NIJ funding grantees forensic projects and DIY funding opportunities. … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, criminal justice, Forensic Science, National FOrensic Science Commission, Uncategorized, wrongful convictions | Leave a comment

Forensic Focus Picks – ADVANCED FORENSIC REFORM BILL INTRODUCED – Science, News Trends and the Law

The response to my last blog expanding  to multi-disciplinary forensic science topics has been encouraging. Trends are evolving rapidly in the external scrutiny of forensics by media and Congressional/governmental entities. There is still a paucity of forensic research to report … Continue reading

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

Forensic Focus Picks – Science, News Trends and the Law

What’s trending today. The biggest problem with forensic science is that’s there is almost NO information about research. What you see is what there is. Fingerprints. French researchers announce much higher resolutions available for physical analysis. They will still need … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

FORENSICS | Richardson Bite Mark case exposes ABFO experts’ assurances as folly

Originally posted on FORENSICS and LAW in FOCUS @ CSIDDS | News and Trends:
Being “tough on crime” is a cliche used by some involved in politics, law enforcement, and used by certain forensic practitioners. I prefer the phrase “smart on crime.”…

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

FORENSICS | The Hon. Harry T. Edwards, co-chair of the NAS 2009 report on forensics, speaks to the Commission on Forensic Science

Last week, Judge Edwards had a few comments regarding the tasking challenges facing the newly constructed Committee on Forensic Science. He’s the fellow who has spoken so clearly on the aftermath of the NAS forensic report that voiced scientific disappointment … Continue reading

Posted in Forensic Science, junk forensic science, National FOrensic Science Commission, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bitemarks and Wrongful Executions: Law Prof Considers the Connection

A law professor has an impressive blog post that elaborates on the dangers of bad forensic science leading to executions of innocent defendants.  Read it here. He also has a few things to say about bitemark identification. A recent bitemark … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bad Forensic Science, Bitemarks, Forensic Science, National FOrensic Science Commission, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments