Category Archives: Crime lab scandal

Forensics: Bitemarks. Michigan governor Witmer and Innocence community shares how faulty forensic science leads to wrongful convictions

A task force created this year by Governor Gretchen Whitmer continues to meet each month to come up with recommendations and best practices for how forensic science work is used, conducted and assessed in the criminal justice system. — Read … Continue reading

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Forensics: Despite USDOJ claim of ballistics “quasi-science,”Auditor to review DC ballistic crime lab’s compliance with 2011 law creating independent forensic agency

The troubled D.C. crime lab is getting another probing: This time by the Office of the D.C. Auditor. — Read on wtop.com/dc/2021/08/auditor-to-review-dc-crime-labs-compliance-with-2011-law-creating-independent-forensic-agency/

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Forensics: A bad day: Medical Examiner’s Office chief toxicologist faces criminal probe with potential legal ramifications in years of cases

Gary Kunsman, the chief toxicologist for the Broward Medical Examiner’s Office, is under investigation for the alleged theft of a controlled substance and evidence tampering. — Read on http://www.local10.com/news/local/2021/07/29/chief-toxicologist-at-broward-medical-examiners-office-under-criminal-investigation/

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Forensics: Washington State Patrol’s toxicology lab ran tests in office contaminated by meth, possibly jeopardizing thousand of cases

SEATTLE – Behind the locked doors of a third-floor office in South Seattle, countertop instruments filled with dozens of tiny vials feed data to nearby monitors while performing scores of tests each day in pursuit of justice. — Read on … Continue reading

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Forensics: Demands for changing ‘The Entrenched Carceralism of Forensics.’ Weak judges, need for better science oversight.

The forensic system has deep structural flaws that may be beyond reform. It may be time to radically reimagine it. — Read on inquest.org/entrenched-carceralism-of-forensics/

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Forensics: DC crime lab might not fully regain accreditation until early 2022

It could be early 2022 before the embattled D.C. crime lab regains its full accreditation to perform forensic testing, the lab’s interim director told a panel of science advisers last week. — Read on wtop.com/dc/2021/07/dc-crime-lab-might-not-fully-regain-accreditation-until-early-2022/

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Forensics: How an exoneration of Anthony Porter’s case led to abolition of death penalty in Illinois

John Hanlon said Anthony Porter’s case and exoneration in 1999 played a significant role in ultimately abolishing the death penalty in Illinois. — Read on http://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2021/07/11/anthony-porters-case-led-abolition-death-penalty-illinois/7910773002/

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Forensics: Who is running this forensics lab? More departures from troubled DC crime lab | WTOP

More managers appear to have departed from the embattled D.C. crime lab, which saw its accreditation to perform forensic testing withdrawn in the spring. — Read on wtop.com/dc/2021/06/more-departures-from-troubled-dc-crime-lab/

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Forensics: How a Sharp-Eyed Scientist Became Biology’s Image Detective | The New Yorker

Using just her eyes and memory, Elisabeth Bik has single-handedly identified thousands of studies containing potentially doctored scientific images. — Read on http://www.newyorker.com/science/elements/how-a-sharp-eyed-scientist-became-biologys-image-detective

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Forensics: A broken death investigation system. One year wait for the autopsy! Death of former Miss. representative pushes state’s crime lab delay issues to the forefront

Death of former Miss. representative pushes state’s crime lab delay issues to the forefront – FOX13 News Memphis — Read on http://www.fox13memphis.com/news/local/death-former-miss-representative-pushes-states-crime-lab-delay-issues-forefront/5D3THLRTBBEXRG4OEKNBMR4PN4/

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