Category Archives: criminal justice reform

Justice Kozinski on Lying Police and more on forensic science and CJ “guesswork”

EVIDENCE OF POLICE DISHONESTY LEADS TO OVERTURNED CONVICTIONS NATIONWIDE Here are some quotes from a justice of the US Ninth Circuit of Appeals. Justice  Alex Kozinski talks about police misconduct and worse in the Debra Milke case. “The Ninth Circuit … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI, forensic science reform | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Federal court opens door for “new” DNA tests

Forensic science advances get another boost. This quashes DAs disingenuous arguments that appeal litigation for additional DNA testing is bound by a time “statute of limitations.” The rub are states’ laws that require a standard of proof of innocence that … Continue reading

Posted in criminal justice, criminal justice reform, exoneration, Forensic Science, wrongful convictions | 1 Comment

At what price, freedom? The moral challenges in forensic testifying. Some win and some fail miserably.

At what price, freedom?. An opinion article about expert witness integrity and examples of some total failures in the forensic science industry. From Dr. Mary Beth Hauptle, the most experienced forensic investigator dentist in the US. I am serious.

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bite Marks, criminal justice reform, CSI | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The rise of the Innocence Project was based on DNA and a fractured system of forensic science

I have been perusing threads in the press concerning dialogue of forensic practitioners about the gaps and misapplications of their forensics in the US criminal justice system.  There aren’t many.  For the most part, there are a vocal few within the forensic communities … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, Forensic Science Bias, forensic science misconduct, forensic science reform | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A wobbly attack on the Innocence Project being a “franchise” and having “financial interests” in exons

This is just another ill conceived railing at the NY and other Innocence Projects (there are about 34 affiliates). Its in the form of an anonymous letter to the the NY Joint Commission on Public Ethics in regards to “ethics … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, criminal justice reform | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

UK Forensics : Innocence Project is putting a stop to wrongful convictions across the world

Donate to the Innocent Project California Innocence Project: Mississippi IP  New York IP  ======================================= “There is no question there are wrongful convictions all over the world. There’s no country that is free from wrongful convictions and no country that would … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bite Marks, costs of wrongful convictions, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI, death penalty, DNA profiling, exoneration, Exoneration costs, forensic testimony, junk forensic science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Forensics : DNA inconsistencies slowly are rising into public view

It’s not only pattern analysis that can be fallible – how about DNA? Its mostly about DNA mixtures, stat protocols and inconsistency of multiple analysts. via @ForensicOdont Read more. A commercial lab’s technical paper has more on this. “Mixture interpretation. … Continue reading

Posted in criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI, DNA mixtures, DNA profiling, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias | 1 Comment

Internal personnel discipline in a state’s # Forensics crime lab is revealed with some names included.

A view into how a state’s DOJ crime lab disciplines itself. It seems appropriate considering the facts given in this article.    

Posted in criminal justice reform, forensic science reform, police crime labs | Leave a comment

Excellent Canadian article on problematic forensics

This is a great piece which echoes others involved in forensic science reform. One statement rings true regarding juries/judges having to interpret exaggerating and conflicting experts. m.thestar.com/#/article/news/crime/2015/06/12/why-its-so-hard-to-keep-bad-forensics-out-of-the-courtroom.html?referrer=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FGmxX8xrGfu

Posted in Bad Forensic Science, Bite Marks, Bitemarks, costs of wrongful convictions, Crime, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI, DNA profiling, exoneration, Exoneration costs, expert testimony, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, forensic science misconduct, forensic science reform, forensic testimony, junk forensic science, National FOrensic Science Commission, police crime labs, Ray Krone bitemark case, US Crime labs, wrongful convictions | Leave a comment

Examples where Forensic language and the media lead to misinformation and confusion for juries.

How things have changed? The term “similar’ used in fiber analysis case. http://www.forensicmag.com/news/2015/06/forensic-scientist-testifies-fibers-victims-hair-similar-distant-carpet But then another case uses “unique” to describe a broken car headlight. http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/forensic-expert-certain-car-on-cctv-belonged-to-sheffield-man-accused-of-murder-1-7305526 What the “CSI effect looks like on “Bones” TV show. Accuracy in forensics not a … Continue reading

Posted in criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI, expert testimony, forensic testimony, National FOrensic Science Commission | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment