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Category Archives: criminal justice reform
Once again its kitty litter that’s putting citizens in jail
So-called field ‘testing’ of suspicious substances by police runs afoul of their false positives. As Loretta Lynch said, “all is well in criminal justice” right? If appointed Jeff Beauregard Sessions will surely double up on that one. Kitty litter. Krispy … Continue reading
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
Obama Left Forensic Science Reform At the Altar
That’s according to Radley Balko at the Washington Post. He sums up the missed opportunity for the outgoing US president to push his Attorney General Lynch and the FBI’s Comey to open a proper dialogue after the PCAST report from … Continue reading
2016 Top Ten Forensic Science Posts
The year’s most read posts from Forensics in Focus. Happy New Year. What is a partial forensic DNA “match”? Obstinate DA pursues new trial in William Richards’ case. PCAST: Forensic science reform gets knee-jerk backlash from law enforcement. Top 9 … Continue reading
Natl Institute of Standards and Tech, praising advances in DNA, leaves out bitemark rejection
NIST is the uber-arm of science in the world of the federal government and has a wide view on most things in our physical world. Its holiday post reflects on 2016’s triumphs and removal of some obsolete methods in forensics … Continue reading
Posted in AAFS, criminal justice reform, CSI, forensic science reform
Tagged Bad forensic science, Forensic science, NIST
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Top Ten Forensic Articles in Dec 2016 for @CSIDDS
Looking back on the most popular articles published this month in Forensics in Focus. Thank you all for following!! The $2 drug tests are great for law enforcement drug warriors, but not much goo for anyone else. Utter silence from … 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
Prosecutors started to look at Austin PD DNA analyst 6 years ago
Its better late than never, I guess. Good example on how DA CIUs (conviction integrity units) get a bad rap. This Cleveland DA says some of them are just ‘news releases.’ “During that sexual assault trial, prosecutors wrote two memos … 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
Judges receive Science Commission training about junk bitemarks
There is more non-science flim-flam being praised in Hollidaysburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania (pictured above). The bitemarkers’ attack once again. I’m sure the judge needs some help figuring things out. Short Backstory Texas hit the news this year in its de-listing … Continue reading
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