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Category Archives: criminal justice
NIJ sponsored forensic research at AAFS 2017 in NOLA
Quite alot of this free (registration needed at RTI) February 14th meeting appears quite interesting. How’s this: “The Taphonomy of Human Hair” or “Forensic DNA Phenotyping of Quantitative Pigment in Human Physical Appearance Prediction”? It appears that the latest research … Continue reading
Posted in criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI
Tagged NIJ forensic research
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Another ridiculous bitemark case emerges into public view after 30+ years
The evidence: I’m assisting in two other cases attempting to eradicate junk science within criminal courts. This third case is an example of similar arguments during an adversarial hearing combining attempts to test new DNA evidence and publish research debunking … Continue reading
Touch DNA: “In the eye of the beholder” leads to conflicting interpretations
Pretty good over-view on “secondary transference” of epithelial cells being used in criminal cases that some deny happens and others use as a defense strategy. Clearly, it’s all in the “eye” of prosecutors and police. Michelle Mankin’s blog. Plus a … Continue reading
Posted in criminal justice, forensic science reform
Tagged criminal justice, DNA profiling, Forensic science, touch DNA
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Interim Austin Crime Lab boss gets the boot; lab closed
Austin’s police chief apologized Friday for massive problems at the Police Department’s crime lab, saying he had ceased all efforts to reopen the DNA part of the troubled facility and had removed the man recently hired to get it back … Continue reading
The occasionally bizarre world of forensics in 2016 – Its a parallel universe
Since bitemarks don’t work, let’s use them for exonerations. Some prosecutors are just beyond funny. This NDAA president’s recent illogical support saying bitemarks in criminal investigations and court are capable of determining whether a person is NOT guilty of violent crime … Continue reading
The cost of Austin crime lab failure reaches $6.5 – $14 million estimates
Regardless of the politicians assurances, this taxpayer cost will surely go up to include whatever additional legal costs that occur over the propose next five years. Its 12 years worth of crime lab cases. So far, no one has blamed … Continue reading
Austin Crime Lab woes gets even worse – Pushback against DNA upgrades
Here’s a short bit from why the Austin TX police run crime lab road to recovery just fell off a cliff. The state’s overseers are having resistance to retraining some of the existing employees. As in ………. “a supervisor’s decision … Continue reading
Politics, Military Police and Forensic Science Conflicts
The white hats in the forensic science world like to say that “truth” in their investigations always wins out. Read this story about how a US military medical examiner in Afghanistan got his investigation quashed by a general whose name … Continue reading
Posted in criminal justice, CSI
Tagged criminal justice, forensic undue influence, military forensic science
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Prosecutors dragging their feet on uncovering extent of years long crime lab scandal
In part, the crime lab scientist stole, used and messed with drugs while employed at the crime lab since….. “An interim report by state Assistant Attorney General Thomas Caldwell said, “Ms. Farak began using controlled substances regularly in the last … Continue reading
Posted in costs of wrongful convictions, Crime lab scandal, criminal justice, CSI
Tagged crime lab scandals, CSI
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Look-back and breaking news on why crimes labs should have independent oversight
This all blows opposite to what the cop crime labs are saying and its a good thing. Here’s the latest from California about botched lab false-positive semen testing results that goes back decades. A hearsay statement has the Santa Clara … Continue reading
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