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Category Archives: AAFS
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
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
Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bite Marks, Bitemarks
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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
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
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
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
Forensic Bias? Did an autopsy doc get wind of a suspect’s confession now considered coerced?
The interplay of homicide death investigations conducted by medical personnel employed by the same agency investigating a suspect is fodder for doubts concerning undo influence. Its the subject of this The Intercept article just out from Jordan Smith. It is … Continue reading
Posted in AAFS, ABFO, criminal justice reform
Tagged crime labs, Criminal Justice, CSI, expert witnesses
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Is Forensic Science Capable of Correcting Its Woes?
The seminal theme of the US forensic community professes that it can solve its own problems. I doubt it. The public sees in the media these negative forensic themes: undo police/DA/politico attitude influences, the imbalance of drug testing predominating over … Continue reading
Taking bitemark evidence to the White House: Video speaker provides no answers to wrongful convictions
When you have no scientific proofs to contradict years of unreliable expert testimony and false forensic education on the subject, this speaker just blames everyone but himself. He doesn’t dare answer the scientific inquiries of this White House panel on … Continue reading
Forensic lab autonomy in Mexico way ahead of US counterpart labs managed by police
Police have no jurisdiction in Mexican forensic science laboratories and investigations. DNA crime scene collection is done by civilian investigators. Fascinating. My county has made at least four attempts, in the last 30+ years, to put the Ventura County ME’s office … Continue reading
