Category Archives: ABFO

Bitemark case spurs judicial reform in CA., intimidation in forensics continues, + more

Forensic reform in California based in part on another bitemark case.  2011: Bitemark experts sue forensic lecturer regarding mention of Bennie Starks’ vacated conviction case. Later became a full exoneration when the DA dropped lesser remaining charges. The plantiffs in … Continue reading

Posted in ABFO, Bitemarks, criminal justice, forensic science reform, William Richards Exoneration Case, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Comments on the White House 2014 report on “Strengthening Forensic Science”

Opinions from a forensic examiner. This material contains excerpts from the WH 2014 Forensic Science Report .  My comments (in bold) are added in certain sections. The Report excerpts are in italics. See the full report here. =========================================== EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF … Continue reading

Posted in ABFO, Bitemarks, criminal justice, Forensic Science, forensic science reform, National FOrensic Science Commission | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Bad science from the AAFS/ABFO dentists | Media responses from the past | Forensics in Focus @csidds

Making positive news about bitemark evidence for media reporting is a tough job. I thought that I should make a short list of articles that have appeared in major media sources over the decades.   Some predate the news about bitemark experts … Continue reading

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Forensics in Focus @csidds | Feb 24, 2014| Years Old DNA Testing vs Current DNA Testing | A case of first impression?

 MONDAY FEB 24, 2014 CRIME LABs: New DNA TECH vs “outdated”  DNA methods The history of DNA technology, its standards and population statistics use in criminal courts goes back to the time (and earlier) of this original trial. This should … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, criminal justice, Forensic Science, junk forensic science | 1 Comment

Bitemarks and Wrongful Executions: Law Prof Considers the Connection

A law professor has an impressive blog post that elaborates on the dangers of bad forensic science leading to executions of innocent defendants.  Read it here. He also has a few things to say about bitemark identification. A recent bitemark … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bad Forensic Science, Bitemarks, Forensic Science, National FOrensic Science Commission, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

FORENSICS | Nature (prestigious science magazine) releases “Faulty Forensics Under Fire” about Bitemark Unreliabilty

The Nature piece starts with this picture and a following caption.  “There is little evidence that bite marks on a crime victim’s skin allow reliable identification of the perpetrator.” For those who think the National Commission on Forensic Science is … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, Forensic Science, National FOrensic Science Commission, wrongful convictions | Leave a comment

FORENSICS | Review of questionable research on bite marks. US taxpayers’ $715,000 funded it.

In a recent post, I promised to do a review of this promised-to-be-published “paradigm proof” from a Marquette University news release which revealed a “silver bullet” forensic cure to bite marks’ spotty history. The caption for the news release is … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bad Forensic Science, Bitemarks, Forensic Science, junk forensic science, National FOrensic Science Commission, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

FORENSICS | National Commission on Forensic Science Publishes Bowers’ Comments on Bite Mark Accreditation

On Friday, January 31, 2014, the NCFS published their agenda for its one and one-half day meeting starting next week.  The Commission allowed public comments regarding the panel’s tasks and accepted  C. Michael Bowers DDS JD documentation regarding the status of … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bite Marks, Bitemarks, exoneration, Forensic Science, junk forensic science, National FOrensic Science Commission, William Richards Exoneration Case, wrongful convictions | 2 Comments

FORENSICS | WHY FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY FAILS: AN ONGOING INNOCENCE PROJECT CASE

This blog  relays multiple tales of inferior forensic science that has taken a serious toll on the lives of innocent criminal defendants. Page 4, as mentioned below, has a persuasive story  about Gerald Richardson’s years long struggle to be freed … Continue reading

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

FORENSICS | Richardson Bite Mark case exposes ABFO experts’ assurances as folly

Being “tough on crime” is a cliche used by some involved in politics, law enforcement, and used by certain forensic practitioners. I prefer the phrase “smart on crime.”  Both may sound similar, but the “smart” inference means that forensic developments, … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, Forensic Science, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment