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Category Archives: criminal justice
#Forensics: Cops rushing to force collection of fingerprints for iPhone quashed
A federal magistrate judge in Chicago recently denied the government’s attempt to force people in a particular building to depress their fingerprints in an attempt to open any seized Apple devices as part of a child pornography investigation. Ars technica
From the Forensic Regulator – Code of Ethics and Standards – #AAFS2017
“My aim is that all forensic science provided to the CJS is of the required level of quality; the quality standards are set out in detail in these Codes.” Dr. Gillian Tully, the UK Forensic Regulator. Notable in this extensive … Continue reading
Crime lab mess redux: Now it’s Alaska’s $90M boondoggle
These stories just keep coming ……. It seems the public’s confidence in the “theory(ies) of crime detection” appears to be eroding from top ( governmental PCAST deniers) to the bottom. Take your pick on the bottom. Wanna try “Making a … Continue reading
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
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