Category Archives: AAFS

Here’s a criminal lawyer’s worst nightmare: Hiring a forensic expert with a faked resume.

Interesting story for a few reasons: The opposing expert was a cop and thought this defense expert’s CV looked suspicious. This in itself isn’t unusual. Fact-checking an expert is a rather basic act by both sides in court cases. I’ve … Continue reading →

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

Bringing the Prosecutors “kicking and screaming” into the light of scientific standards.

    Michael Ramos @michaelramos .@ndaajustice will continue to defend our criminal justice system against those who try to undermine ithttps://twitter.com/ndaajustice/status/771802800166694912 … 1:37 PM – 2 Sep 2016 Here’ the stand-off: Prosecutors’ existing forensic standards necessary for them to continue to … Continue reading →

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

Judges’ College puts together #PCAST forensics and FRE 702 rules 

The National JudicialCollege dives deep into explaining how overblown “feature-comparing” experts and actually ANYONE attesting to their “science” can be corralled through using rules within the Federal Rules of Evidence. I think they must have read from all the ABFO … Continue reading →

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

Wrongful Conviction Blog News

Tuesday’s Quick Clicks… The WCB Posted on September 20, 2016 by Liza Dietrich | Leave a comment Terry Olson, freed after decade in prison for 1979 killing… Judge will hear new evidence in murder case; Antoine D. Young has maintained his innocence … Continue reading →

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

Twitter Comments about “”Awake-up call on the junk science” infestation

This is just a hit-or-miss snapshot of comments and shows diversity to say the least. Go to………”A wake-up call on the junk forensic science infesting our courtrooms” for the 164 comments at its end. By HTEdwards and JMnookin.  Some folks … Continue reading →

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

How Bitemark evidence is still operating at the appellate level – The Kunco Case

The “relatively unique teeth” of John Kunco The “recaptured” evidence used against Kunco. There still is a long road for prison inmates to overcome what now is considered to be unvalidated “science” presented at their original trials. John Kunco’s case … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bite Marks, Bitemarks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The saga continues at the Ventura County Medical Examiners office

I would like to commend Dr. Ann Bucholtz (shown above) for her short, but effective tenure as Ventura County’s Medical Examiner. My perspective is as the forensic dentistry consultant for the VCME office for over 30 years. Dr. Bucholtz’s legacy … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, CSI | Tagged , | Leave a comment

LEOs not reporting police shooting/custody deaths still using their DOJ grant money and MRAPS

The disonant (or maybe permissive) Department of Justice federal oversight of local law enforcement agencies seems to rival a tragicomedy versions of “who’s on first?” Or more impolitely, the boondoggle. The decades-long sharing of military equipment with police ( 1033 program … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, Civil rights, criminal justice, criminal justice reform | Tagged | Leave a comment

PCAST in the news – The DNA Blog from the New York Legal Aid Soc

Edited by Julie Fry Written by Celia Givens PCAST report raises questions about validity of forensic sciences in criminal courts A new draft report from the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) has caused concerns about the … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Clarification and Retraction of CSIDDS use of AAFS logo

Statement: To Whom It May Concern In RE: CSIDDS blog post from September 12, 2016 On occasion, I have used AAFS annual convention banners in my blog posts. The reader must not be not be misled or misconstrue or consider that … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS | 2 Comments