Category Archives: DNA profiling

Forensics: “Massive parallel” DNA meant to map twin suspects’ entire code to ID perp

Posted on March 7, 2017 by csidds

This is looking for a needle in the genomic haystack in order to tell identical twins apart. Actual rape case where genomic mapping looking for chromosomal mutations playing a huge role. The commercial German lab’s methods appears to have had … Continue reading →

Posted in DNA profiling | Tagged DNA profiling, Forensic science, lack of forensic validation | 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

Another ridiculous bitemark case emerges into public view after 30+ years

Posted on January 6, 2017 by csidds

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 →

Posted in Bite Marks, Bitemarks, costs of wrongful convictions, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, DNA profiling | Tagged Bad forensic science, criminal justice, Forensic science, forensic science reform protecting the innocent, junk forensic science, wrongful convictions | Leave a comment

Disproportionate number of minorities in DNA databases misdirects cases

Posted on December 21, 2016 by csidds

Here is a lede from the New York Legal Aid Society about the slowly trending use of racially skewed DNA bases being LEO searched for relatives of suspects. (More news below). The limitations of familial DNA also made headlines in … Continue reading →

Posted in DNA profiling, Forensic Science | Tagged CSI, DNA profiling, Forensic science | 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 →

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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

StingRay surveillance gets hit in court; Flawed forensics and legal outcomes

Posted on July 19, 2016 by csidds

NEW YORK LEGAL AID SOCIETY dna NEWSLETTER July 19 2016 Federal judge suppresses evidence collected by warrantless StingRay cell-site simulator device in NY drug case. In his decision, U.S. District Judge William Pauley wrote: “Absent a search warrant, the Government may … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, criminal justice reform, CSI, DNA profiling | Tagged American Academy of Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, Forensic science, junk forensic science, Miscarriage of justice | Leave a comment