Category Archives: criminal justice

President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Seeks Forensic Info

PCAST Forensic Science Questions PCAST consists of 20 of the nation’s leading scientists and engineers, appointed by the President to provide direct advice to him and the White House on important matters of science and technology. PCAST has recently begun … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI, Forensic Science | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Kosinski on Criminal Justice reform and false evidence

By Radley Balko As part of its push for criminal justice reform, the Charles Koch Institute (yes,that Charles Koch) has just posted a series of interviews with Alex Kozinski, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. … Continue reading

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Expert Forensics : Its not a good idea to recalculate your DNA during trial

Re-doing your forensic opinion during a evidentiary hearing in a serial killer (The “Grim Sleeper”) case in Los Angeles” will make EVERYONE very upset. This DNA fellow takes a huge hit from the judge, the prosecutor and his proffering defense attorney. … Continue reading

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Forensics : British custody death inquiry gets messier when a US forensic expert talks to tabloids

Court appointed forensic experts need to keep their mouths shut when involved in police custody death inquiries. In fact, they should stay out of the news throughout any of these so-called “independent reviews” of custodial inmate deaths.  The only exception … Continue reading

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Forensics : “Outsiders from New York causing problems” in Oklahama and elsewhere

This is not a re run of “Anatomy of a Murder.” Law enforcement protectors in Tulsa are irate that 1) they recently had to pay out $8 million to a wrongly convicted African-American and 2) those damned exoneration litigators from … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, costs of wrongful convictions, Crime lab scandal, criminal justice, CSI | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

FBI DNA software revamp falls onto each US state to review past convictions

This article contains a broad spectrum of conflicting statements about how serious the “DNA software caused recount” will effect past cases. Of course, the law enforcement side estimate seems confident no major retrials will occur. That’s not what is happening … Continue reading

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Indiscriminate police use of private DNA databases makes a mess for innocent people.

I can’t wait to hear how law enforcement tries to clean up this seemingly uncontrolled use of personal genetic material over 1 million customers have sent to familial DNA companies like Ancestry.com. “Anyone who knows the science understands that there’s … Continue reading

Posted in Civil rights, costs of wrongful convictions, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Georgia Chief ME steps down over double-dipping during state employment and strange testimony

This is really a messed up deal in Georgia. 60 yo forensic pathologist quits while under investigation. ================================= And this is what happens when non science police-derived “forensic methods” are really junk. “5 Investigates: Review of old forensic hair cases begins.” (Boston). “CPCS … Continue reading

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Fighting Forensic Junk Science taking place in Dallas Texas: Let’s talk science not quackery, promises and lies

In response to chilling mistakes and misdeeds involving the execution of Todd Willingham and the 25 year false incarceration of Michael Morton, things are changing regarding forensic experts in one US state. It is note worthy that nearly 50% (154 … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bad Forensic Science, Bitemarks, costs of wrongful convictions, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI, exoneration, Forensic Science, forensic science reform | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Altering the playing field of Forensic DNA statistics to bring major changes to criminal justice cases

  The phrase “don’t mess with Texas” surely is true. The state’s Department of Public Safety Forensic Science Commission’s new stance on crime lab DNA mixture outcomes surely is going to bounce around the county like a flash bang grenade. … Continue reading

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