Category Archives: DNA mixtures

Grits for Breakfast: Changes to DNA-mixture software raise questions about old versions

Posted on August 20, 2018 by csidds

Grits for Breakfast: Changes to DNA-mixture software raise questions about old versions — Read on gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2018/08/changes-to-dna-mixture-software-raise.html

Posted in criminal justice reform, DNA mixtures, DNA profiling, Exoneration costs, forensic science reform protecting the innocent, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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

Posted on February 23, 2017 by csidds

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 DNA mixtures, fabricated forensic evidence, forensic science reform protecting the innocent | 1 Comment

Making Sense of DNA Genetics – #AAFS2017 – Epigenetics is mentioned

Posted on February 8, 2017 by csidds

This is a primer-level (being in a brochure format) look on the subject and has some gaps as far as interpretation of DNA partial profiles and mixtures but admits that, even with algorithmic software, there still is human interpretation in … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, criminal justice reform, DNA mixtures, DNA profiling | Tagged CSI, DNA, DNA profiling, Forensic science, forensic science education | Leave a comment

When flies besmirch the crime scene, this might avoid DNA mistakes

Posted on December 19, 2016 by csidds

Interesting look at separating fly DNA from human DNA at a messy crime scene. Hopefully the fly crap can be separated out after the research is completed. There are cases where flyspecks (regurg and poop) are mis-identified as blood spatter and … Continue reading →

Posted in DNA mixtures, Forensic Science | Tagged fly poop at crime scenes, Forensic science | Leave a comment

Prosecutors started to look at Austin PD DNA analyst 6 years ago

Posted on December 16, 2016 by csidds

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 →

Posted in Crime lab scandal, criminal justice reform, CSI, DNA mixtures | Tagged criminal justice, DNA, DNA profiling, Miscarriage of justice, wrongful convictions | Leave a comment

American Academy of Forensic Sciences asks public for bitemark validation studies

Posted on December 2, 2016 by csidds

In an equitable move [probably in the face of all the LEO crime labs complaining] requested by the President’s Council of Science and Technology chairman, Eric Lander, the AAFS is asking its membership to provide more information not mentioned in … Continue reading →

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

Comparing DNA mixtures with Trueallele and STRmix gets mixed results

Posted on November 4, 2016 by csidds

Where Traditional DNA Testing Fails, Algorithms Take Over Powerful software is solving more crimes and raising new questions about due process. [excerpt] Studies have only established the validity of the available software in certain circumstances (such as a DNA mixture … Continue reading →

Posted in CSI, DNA mixtures, DNA profiling | Tagged AAFS, ABFO, ADA, Anthropology, ASCLD, ASFO, bias, bite mark, bite marks, bitemark, bitemark analysis, bitemark evidence, bitemark testimony, Bitemarks, board certified dentist, comparison confirmation bias, David Sheets, DNA, Dr. Greg Golden, Dr. L.T. Johnson, Dr. Michael Bowers, Dr. Michael West, Dr. Robert Barsley, Dr. roger Metcalf, Elsevier, exoneration, expert opinion, forensic, Forensic Dental Evidence, forensic dentist, forensic dentistry, forensic odontologist, Forensic Odontology, Forensic science, homicide case, Humberto Leal, Innocence partners, innocence project, Innocent, Investigator's Handbook, JADA, Kennedy Brewer, Kunco, Leal, Leigh Stubbs, Levon Brooks, Mary Bush, Michael bowers, Michael West, Mississippi Innocence, NAS National Academy of Science, National District Attorney Association, National Forensic Science Foundation, observer effects, Odontology, PCAST, Peter Bush, Ray Krone, Ray Miller, reliability research, Saliva, scientific method in forensics, screening film, starks, Stinson, surveillance video, theIAI.org, toolmark, University of Buffalo, UV photography, validity, West, Wisconsin, wrongful conviction, wrongful convictions, wrongfully convicted | Leave a comment

Controversial use of familial DNA searches helps lead to finds in cold cases

Posted on October 27, 2016 by csidds

A broader look at familial DNA use within criminal investigations. Some good, some bad. What appears in all examples, is that ‘presumptions’ of guilt can be incorrect and send prosecutors off in the wrong direction. What’s also apparent is that … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI, DNA mixtures, DNA profiling | Tagged AAFS, ABFO, ADA, Anthropology, ASCLD, ASFO, bias, bite mark, bite marks, bitemark, bitemark analysis, bitemark evidence, bitemark testimony, Bitemarks, board certified dentist, comparison confirmation bias, David Sheets, DNA, DNA likelihood ratios, Dr. Greg Golden, Dr. L.T. Johnson, Dr. Michael Bowers, Dr. Michael West, Dr. Robert Barsley, Dr. roger Metcalf, Elsevier, exoneration, expert opinion, forensic, Forensic Dental Evidence, forensic dentist, forensic dentistry, forensic odontologist, Forensic Odontology, Forensic science, homicide case, Humberto Leal, Innocence partners, innocence project, Innocent, Investigator's Handbook, JADA, Kennedy Brewer, Kunco, Leal, Leigh Stubbs, Levon Brooks, Mary Bush, Michael bowers, Michael West, Mississippi Innocence, NAS National Academy of Science, National District Attorney Association, National Forensic Science Foundation, observer effects, Odontology, PCAST, Peter Bush, Ray Krone, Ray Miller, reliability research, Saliva, screening film, starks, Stinson, surveillance video, theIAI.org, toolmark, University of Buffalo, UV photography, validity, West, Wisconsin, wrongful conviction, wrongful convictions, wrongfully convicted | Leave a comment

Messed up DNA testing fixed after 24 years in prison; Lazy ballistics

Posted on October 15, 2016 by csidds

Wisconsin man exonerated and released from prison after 24 years after Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office found lab analyst made errors in original 1992 DNA analysis report (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) A new study shows that PredPol, a predictive policing software … Continue reading →

Posted in criminal justice, CSI, DNA mixtures, DNA profiling, forensic science misconduct, police crime labs | Tagged AAFS, ABFO, ADA, Anthropology, ASCLD, ASFO, bad ballistics, bias, bite mark, bite marks, bitemark, bitemark analysis, bitemark evidence, bitemark testimony, Bitemarks, board certified dentist, comparison confirmation bias, David Sheets, DNA, Dr. Greg Golden, Dr. L.T. Johnson, Dr. Michael Bowers, Dr. Michael West, Dr. Robert Barsley, Dr. roger Metcalf, Elsevier, exoneration, expert opinion, forensic, Forensic Dental Evidence, forensic dentist, forensic dentistry, forensic odontologist, Forensic Odontology, Forensic science, homicide case, Humberto Leal, Innocence partners, innocence project, Innocent, Investigator's Handbook, JADA, Kennedy Brewer, Kunco, Leal, Leigh Stubbs, Levon Brooks, Mary Bush, Michael bowers, Michael West, Mississippi Innocence, NAS National Academy of Science, National District Attorney Association, National Forensic Science Foundation, observer effects, Odontology, PCAST, Peter Bush, Ray Krone, Ray Miller, reliability research, Saliva, screening film, starks, Stinson, surveillance video, theIAI.org, toolmark, University of Buffalo, UV photography, validity, West, Wisconsin, wrongful conviction, wrongful convictions, wrongfully convicted | Leave a comment

When crime labs go rogue. Safety suffers. Honesty seems more doubtful.

Posted on August 8, 2016 by csidds

Max Houck (@maxmhouck) used to run the Washington DC Forensic Science facility which then boasted as being “independent” a la Houston’s Forensic Science Center. Above is his Twitter response to and post about police managers refusing an open and transparent scientific … Continue reading →

Posted in criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI, DNA mixtures | Tagged American Academy of Forensic Science, Bad forensic science, crime labs, FBI Crime Lab, innocence project, wrongful convictions | 1 Comment