Category Archives: AAFS

Court tosses convictions but won’t say couple is innocent

Posted on May 21, 2015 by csidds

Originally posted on Wrongful Convictions Blog:
No matter how much evidence of innocence might exist, it is sometimes next to impossible to get the courts to fully admit error. That’s what happened yesterday, when Dan and Fran Keller, who were…

Posted in AAFS, Civil rights, exoneration | Tagged AAFS, ABFO, ADA, ASFO, bennie starks, bias, bite mark, bite marks, bitemark, bitemark analysis, bitemark evidence, bitemark testimony, Bitemarks, board certified dentist, comparison confirmation bias, David Sheets, DNA, Dr. Adam Freeman, Dr. David Senn, Dr. Greg Golden, Dr. L.T. Johnson, Dr. Michael Bowers, Dr. Michael West, Dr. Robert Barsley, Dr. roger Metcalf, exoneration, expert opinion, forensic, Forensic Dental Evidence, forensic dentist, forensic dentistry, forensic odontologist, Forensic Odontology, forensic science homicide case, Humberto Leal, Innocence partners, innocence project, Innocent, innocent project, Investigator's Handbook, JADA, Kennedy Brewer, Kunco, Leal, Leigh Stubbs, Levon Brooks, Mary Bush, Michael bowers, Michael West, Mississippi Innocence, NAS, National Academy of Science, National Forensic Science Foundation, observer effects, Odontology, Peter Bush, Ray Krone, Ray Miller, reliability research, Robert lee Stinson, Saliva, surveillance video, toolmark, University of Buffalo, UV photography, validity, West, Wisconsin, wrongful conviction, wrongful convictions, wrongfully convicted | Leave a comment

Pediatricians suggest bitemarks only be used to establish whether adult, other child or animal cause of skin injuries

Posted on April 29, 2015 by csidds

This piece, “AAP: Peds Serve as Primary Prevention for Child Abuse.” comes from MedPage, a respected online health resource, which is now briefing general physicians about the proper diagnosis of child abuse. They have just published a new report (updated from 2007) from the … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bite Marks, Bitemarks, junk forensic science, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Peter Neufeld on broken forensics needing a fix. SFO Police lab keeps coming up short. This time its DNA:

Posted on March 30, 2015 by csidds

“According to testimony and evidence revealed in a trial late last year, the analyst allegedly filled in the gaps in poor-quality, incomplete genetic evidence. She generated two complete genetic profiles, and both were sent off as definitive test results to … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, Bad Forensic Science, exoneration, forensic science reform | Tagged junk forensic experts, Peter Neufeld | Leave a comment

The path forward on bite mark matching — and the rearview mirror #AAFS2015

Posted on February 20, 2015 by csidds

This is the final article of the Washington Post’s Radley Balko’s 4 part series on forensic science reform and the personalities and organizations (legal advocates and forensic groups) involved on both sides of the discussion. The first three articles are … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, Bitemarks, criminal justice, exoneration, expert testimony, forensic science reform, junk forensic science | Leave a comment

In depth look at a dangerous forensic ‘science’ #AAFS2015

Posted on February 19, 2015 by csidds

Third of a four part series on the Washington Post with one more on Friday. This coincides with happenings at the 2015 American Academy of Sciences’ “We are Family” themed convention. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2015/02/18/attack-of-the-bite-mark-matchers-2

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, criminal justice, forensic science reform | Leave a comment

AAFS 2015: News from its Board of Directors: The American Board of Forensic Odontology complaint opposing forensic reform is quashed

Posted on February 17, 2015 by csidds

Radley Balko @radleybalko · Just in: The AAFS board of directors has dismissed the ethics complaint against csidds that I mentioned here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2015/02/13/how-the-flawed-science-of-bite-mark-analysis-has-sent-innocent-people-to-jail/ … My Comment: Much thanks to the AAFS Executive Board of Directors. “I am pleased that the AAFS Board … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, ABFO | Tagged American Academy of Forensic Science, AMERICAN BOARD OF FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY, Miscarriage of justice, wrongful convictions | 1 Comment

Last ditch efforts to stay another execution in Texas. Plus a new series from the Washington Post on resistance to forensic reform.

Posted on February 14, 2015 by csidds

A last minute effort to stay Rodney Reed’s execution in TX is based on new expert review of erroneous Time of Death opinion at the conviction trial. The litigation is led by the Innocence Project. There is a petition to the … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bite Marks, Bitemarks, forensic science misconduct | Tagged American Academy of Forensic Science, AMERICAN BOARD OF FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY, Forensic science, junk forensic science, wrongful convictions | Leave a comment

The personal dangers of protecting the innocent and underprivileged around the world : Similar issues exist in the US.

Posted on February 1, 2015 by csidds

Civil rights and humanitarian legal advocacy is “The most dangerous job in law.” Prison, exile and worse exists around the world for legal advocates. These stories make the pushback in the US against forensic and judicial reform seem paltry in … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, costs of wrongful convictions, criminal justice, exoneration, forensic science reform, National FOrensic Science Commission, prosecutorial misconduct, Ray Krone bitemark case, William Richards Exoneration Case | Tagged American Academy of Forensic Science, forensic testimony, Miscarriage of justice, National Commission on Forensic Science, wrongful convictions | 1 Comment

FORGET CSI: A Disaster Is Happening In America’s Crime Labs

Posted on January 18, 2015 by csidds

Media reports about 2 crime lab scandals per month. Its all about “stealin an cheatin and liein” Headline story from April 2014. Its about bungling in crime labs all associated with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. By Jordan Smith … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, criminal justice, forensic misconuct | Tagged American Academy of Forensic Science, falsified evidence, wrongful convictions | 1 Comment

“False or Misleading Forensic Science” and “Official Misconduct” Leading Factors in 1523 Exonerations

Posted on January 16, 2015 by csidds

The op-ed excerpted below from the HuffPost’s Radley Balko makes the case that prosecutorial misconduct is a major factor in exoneration cases and exists in other criminal convictions. I have added a second category of interest which raises my concern with forensic … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS | Tagged American Academy of Forensic Science, Exculpatory Evidence, Forensic science, wrongful convictions | Leave a comment