Category Archives: criminal justice reform

#Forensics scandal – Reinstated Scottish fingerprint expert gets the boot – again

Is there a common source for these prints? Shirley McKie was and maybe still is, a fingerprint detective with a Scottish police agency. In the late 90’s she was part of a murder investigation that centered on identifying the man … Continue reading

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A short look at what the Feds don’t like about Science and Forensics

The application of measurement (metrology) science is well established in the basic sciences. In essence it is the collection of physical data and the study of best methods to improve precision of methods. This paper has a well known fingerprint … Continue reading

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Today’s #Forensics News around the World – 1700 Fingerprints get a re-do.

Florida Fingerprint guy, self-famed as “never wrong,” gets reassigned  (to non-forensic duties) and gets a “black eye.” Lawyer says “countless convictions” in over 1700 cases. Ouch. Arizona Skull is “20 to 60 old” according to an anthro’s conservative exam. That’s a … Continue reading

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#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

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#Forensic News for Today: Fabricated arson evidence, door knobs, familial DNA traits

This case is horrendous. Fabricated arson evidence used against a woman later acquitted of arson gets into court after appellate court opines this rule for the lower court to follow in her lawsuit against LEO authorities. “There must be persuasive … Continue reading

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Old men seem to populate the courtroom experts used in the US CJ system

I’ve noticed this for decades while I later became a “senior” myself. Old folks populate the highest level of the American Academy of Arts and Science (and probably the American Academy of Forensic Sciences) who go to court as experts. … Continue reading

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Today’s Look at #Forensics from Everywhere

Top 6 universities teaching forensic science in the UK. Dundee in Scotland at the top. Then Keele, Strathclyde, Bradford, De Monfort, Kent. A common British cultural past time. Drinking from calvaria. The Malaysian government defends  it’s expertise in handling the Kim … Continue reading

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Course syllabus for detecting science frauds, jerks and poseurs among us

Sherlock would be proud. Take the time to read down this U of Washington course outline on “bullshit” detection in academia and society in general. The online class is closed but plans for expansion are promised. New article from StatNews. … Continue reading

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#AAFS 2017 : Watch out for the ‘ATTACK of the bite mark matchers’ in NOLA

Have a look at this in depth  Washington Post series about certain ‘scientific’ AAFS members who will be showing off their wares in the Odontology Section this week. This is a small bunch of believers. Two Odontology members, Cynthia Brzozowki … Continue reading

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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

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