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Category Archives: criminal justice reform
US forensic orgs and DAs rather quiet about reviewing and retesting DNA since 1999.
This is from NPR. It also mentions the climate of faulty forensics like bitemarks, hair comps, casting doubts about reliabilty of courtroom experts. http://www.npr.org/2015/10/09/447202433/-great-pause-among-forensic-scientists-as-dna-proves-fallible?sc=tw
Posted in criminal justice reform, CSI, DNA mixtures, DNA profiling
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Soon coming to the state you live in: Retesting of thousands of convictions helped by DNA
ADVANCES IN DNA TESTING COULD PUT THOUSANDS OF TEXAS CASES IN LEGAL LIMBO The above image is incredibly evocative. My blog on this came out September 21, 2015. thanks to the September 19, 2015 Grits for Breakfast blog from TX and … Continue reading
Concern grows over DNA evidence errors in Texas and likely throughout the US
Applications of DNA methods which are subjective is creating a scenario in TX which will probably be repeated across the entire US. Confidence in past convictions is rapidly deteriorating. One might say the enthusiasm for forensic DNA as a “magic … Continue reading
Another bitemark-based conviction overturned. Dentist calls original testimony “junk.”
This is the 25th conviction or incarceration aided by dental bitemark experts that has been overturned or dismissed in the US. How many more are there? The bitemark organization, the ABFO, is deaf and dumb and lying to the State … Continue reading
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 ADA, American Academy of Forensic Science, AMERICAN BOARD OF FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY, Bitemarks, Criminal Justice, junk forensic science, wrongful convictions
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“Top 5 Junky Forensic ‘Sciences,’ or, ‘Why are forensics under fire now?’ “
The veteran law enforcement, law and science blogger at Grits for Breakfast’ in TX has some sharp points to make about his picks for the worst in forensic methods. There are more than just bitemark “interpreters” which he includes in this list. … Continue reading
Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, criminal justice reform, CSI, DNA mixtures
Tagged bitemark evidence, Criminal Justice, CSI, DNA profiling, FBI Crime Lab, junk forensic science
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Editorial: Taking another bite out of junk science in the Texas criminal justice system
“In numerous instances, experts diverge widely in their evaluations of the same bite mark evidence, which has led to questioning of the value and scientific objectivity of such evidence.” The Dallas Daily News
The crumbling US criminal defense system – clients are 80% indigent – DAs get 4x more funding –
This data leads one to answer the question: “Why does the US leads in numbers and percentages of incarcerated populations?” Here’s another one: “Why are the numbers of exonerations increasing every year?” and so forth. By Tina Peng NEW ORLEANS The … Continue reading
Forensics: Anti-cognitive bias training, limitations of science testimony, politicos and rape kits in NYC
Peter Neufeld, co-founder of The Innocence Project, will speak at the University of St. Thomas as part of a symposium on forensic science this month. “When the Gavel Falls…Limitations of Scientific Testimony” Thursday, September 17, 2015 8:00 AM to 4:00 … Continue reading
Forensic dentist defends the Innocence Project against “Anti Forensic Science” AAFS/ABFO Accuser
The California Dental Association Journal, in its July 2015 publication presented a multi contributor article on forensic dentistry. Having good PR for the efforts of largely volunteer dentists doing human identification cases and being trained and available in mass disaster … Continue reading