Category Archives: ABFO

Forensic Standards bill could “transform” forensic science and get rid of bitemark IDs

A new bill introduced last week in the US Congress could put some “teeth” into creating and then enforcing federal standards for the practice of 11 forensic disciplines either criticized or debunked (aka bitemark pattern testimony) by the 2009 National … Continue reading

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StingRay surveillance gets hit in court; Flawed forensics and legal outcomes

NEW YORK LEGAL AID SOCIETY dna NEWSLETTER July 19 2016 Federal judge suppresses evidence collected by warrantless StingRay cell-site simulator device in NY drug case. In his decision, U.S. District Judge William Pauley wrote: “Absent a search warrant, the Government may … Continue reading

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‘Vindictive Prosecution’ hangs over DA reluctant to not recharge Bill Richards

Today’s article from Jordan Smith at The Intercept provides history and new developments to Bill Richards’ 23 year journey from a murder conviction to freedom despite District Attorney Mike Ramos unerringly “stupid” threats of re-investigating Richards for the murder of … Continue reading

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Trouble with teeth and the better side of new forensic research – National Geographic

A general review of past police forensic methods that led to wrongful convictions and the newer development in forensics that could change criminalistic communities. Genetic phenotyping for facial reconstruction being the hottest topic in the media. Full article:  The Trouble With … Continue reading

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The Mississippi Sting operation that uncovered Michael West’s bitemark bunk

One of the extraordinary defense presentations at the recent EL Howard hearing in Columbus MS was given by the Honorable Chris Plourd (pictured above), the presiding Judge of Imperial County, CA Superior Court. Judge Plourd rose to the bench in … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, costs of wrongful convictions, Crime lab scandal, Dr. Michael West, exoneration, Ray Krone bitemark case, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

MS Court hears substantial testimony about why bitemark conviction from 1992 was flawed

  The following May 5th, 2016 newspaper article from the Columbus MS Dispatch outlines the dynamics of last week’s hearing in which Superior Court Judge Howard accepted voluminous evidence requested by the MS Supreme Court regarding bitemark and DNA evidence relevant … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bite Marks, Bitemarks, criminal justice reform, Dr. Michael West, junk forensic science | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ignoring the scandal of erroneous forensic testimony by dentists @AmerDentalAssn

Notable in these archives of bite mark involved convictions, later overturned, is the lack of oversight and investigation into the causes of these tragedies by both the dental examiners’ professional organizations, the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Forensic … Continue reading

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Inside Exoneration litigation in Mississippi – At Times it’s Utter Frustration #ELHoward

  In 2016, Texas determined that dental bitemark experts should not be admitted in court. What’s now happening in Mississippi (MS) is a classic legal and forensic science example of continuing that agenda. 1993. A bitemark ID was achieved in MS … Continue reading

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Better news from within the American Brd of Forensic Odontology bitemark scandal

  This is a short story but its carries an important metaphor about the “forensic science “reform” process rocketing through the media and courtrooms in the US and the UK. A pertinent question I have is “how does the our legal … 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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