Category Archives: AAFS

Forensics: Forensic Pathology study on skin injury patterns shows lack of agreement

Published in the Apr 15 2016 Journal of Forensic Sciences, this paper are the results of a NAME (US medical examiners) online study of human skin injury pattern diagnostic categories ( the basics of “blunt,” “sharp,” and “source” identification) undertaken … Continue reading →

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The American Dental Association needs to act on members still practicing bitemarks

Most of the US bitemark group, the American Board of Forensic Odontology, are also members of the ADA. In fact some of the ABFO are “vaunted” as fighting crime through their “success” in criminal court convictions.  Here’s a 2015 link … Continue reading →

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Forensics: The role of social media as a watchdog on abuse of power and and imperfect science

I have significant experience listening (especially at the last AAFS meeting) and reading snide comments from mostly volunteering participants (commonly defensive) in the “forensic science reform” debate demeaning the “blog” aspect of journalistic reporting. My vocal response at the AAFS … Continue reading →

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TX and CA: How Prosecutors ignore the effects of junk forensic science on their convictions.

CSI forensics seems to be infallible on TV. Not as much in the real world. Try reading”Bitten by Experts” from Jordan Smith at The Intercept. Its all about the junk. In the same vein, this article gives a closeup on where the … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, costs of wrongful convictions, Crime lab scandal, criminal justice reform, CSI | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Excellent coverage on Forensic Science Reform battling it out at #AAFS2016

Some were glad, others were sad, and others were mad at this year’s AAFS. A few were defensive. These two veteran investigative reporters for The Intercept, Liliana Segura and Jordan Smith, entered the annual realm of the “crime fighting” American … Continue reading →

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ABFO/ An AAFS forensic affiliate runs into problems with another bitemark matching case

The American Board of Forensic Odontology just lost its’ a face-off with the Texas Forensic Science Commission. The TFSC recommended a moratorium ( Texas Panel Calls for an End to Criminal IDs via Bitemarks ) on biting evidence after a seven-month investigation … Continue reading →

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BBC on Bitemarks – “An enormous task” to review old cases and convictions and executions

The bitemarkers claim they will assist in the now pending review of all their cases. Lets just say that their days of credibility as “scientific experts” are over. This article talks about the conviction and execution of David Wayne Spence. … Continue reading →

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The expanding Constitutional Rights of a defendant to expect reliable forensic evidence

The US Constitution may have alot to say about Bill Richard’s right to fair trial, including any forensic evidence. It wasn’t always that way. Here is Virginia law professor Brandon Garrett providing a very complete look at the blend of trending … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, Ray Krone bitemark case, William Richards Exoneration Case, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Getting rid of bitemarks in Texas is progressing nicely, but more work needed

Note: the challenge in all this is to influence 50 state courts to wake up about the damage created by forensic flim-flam experts. Texas Forensic Science Commission to recommend a moratorium on bite mark evidence by Radley Balko This is … Continue reading →

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More bitemark defenders talk about “throwing babies out of bathtubs” and their expertise

For educational purposes only This copyrighted Wall St Journal article gives us what the Texas Forensic Sci Commission is up to regarding bitemark cases. What’s notable are some quotes from the bitemark advocates. They never say something like “we don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, criminal justice reform, CSI, Ray Krone bitemark case, William Richards Exoneration Case | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment