Category Archives: CSI

#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

Posted in AAFS, Crime lab scandal, criminal justice reform, CSI, DNA mixtures, DNA profiling | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

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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More scientists gang up against the bitemarkers – Oxford University Press -#AAFS2017

It’s just a dental journal (see pg. 68), but this op-ed piece may be the FIRST time organized dentistry has spoken out about the flim-flam of bitemark ‘science.’ The anonymous author is quietly referencing a recent publication from the Journal … Continue reading

Posted in criminal justice reform, CSI, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Another reviewer looks at “Forensic Science Reform: Protecting the Innocent”

This one is from Brandon Garrett, Professor of Law at University of Virginia. He is the author of “Convicting the Innocent: Where Prosecutions Go Wrong. (2011). Reviews “There is a revolution in forensic science in this country and this book … Continue reading

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NIJ sponsored forensic research at AAFS 2017 in NOLA

Quite alot of this free (registration needed at RTI) February 14th meeting appears quite interesting. How’s this: “The Taphonomy of Human Hair” or “Forensic DNA Phenotyping of Quantitative Pigment in Human Physical Appearance Prediction”? It appears that the latest research … Continue reading

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Narrative on forensics NAS/PCAST vs the world of law enforcement

This look hits most of the highs and lows of contentious statements from law enforcement after the President’s Council took on their established police forensic turf. It does mention wrongful convictions stemming from overrated forensic ‘science’ which seemed left out … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, Bitemarks, costs of wrongful convictions, Crime lab scandal, criminal justice reform, CSI | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in criminal justice reform, CSI, Dr. Michael West, exoneration, Forensic science misconduct, forensic science reform | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Fentanyl-like drugs are pouring in primarily from China, U.S. officials say

This is a real war on drugs being fought at the DEA and forensic crime labs. Fentanyl is 50 stronger than heroin. San Francisco Chronicle. 

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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

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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

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