Category Archives: exoneration
Forensics: Florida’s House passes forensic analysis reform for convicted felons
This bill forces the state to access the police national DNA database when post conviction forensic testing reveals an unknown profile. HB 7077 would make forensic tests more accessible to convicted felons. — Read on floridapolitics.com/archives/322663-house-passes-forensic-analysis-reform-for-convicted-felons
Forensics: Noted NY bitemarker dentist involved in another exoneration litigation. “Just like fingerprints.” Wood River murder hinged on bite mark evidence | Belleville News-Democrat
John Prante, from a St. Louis MO suburb, was convicted of Karla Brown’s Wood River IL murder wants his named cleared and a court to declare him innocent because his trial used bite mark teeth comparison evidence that science has … Continue reading
Forensics: Bogus pattern matching in Australia leads back to the US FBI
Using science to correct false convictions goes on around the world. In Aussieland, this man spent 25 years in prison due to a “1/1,000 match” from a single hair. https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/02/why-is-courtroom-science-so-unscientific/
Another exoneration from a bitemark conviction is pending. Court hearing next week.
John Kunco in Pennsylvania has local and Innocence Project attorneys arguing for his release on May 23. His possible exoneration could bring the number of men released from false science testimony of bitemarkers to 31 cases. http://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/13657991-74/lawyers-say-new-dna-evidence-proves-john-kunco-innocent-of-new-kensington Backstory on Kunco.
Another bitemark conviction vacated due to DNA and dentist recant.
The number of bm aided cases overturned by DNA approaching 30 in the US.
Forensics: This is not anecdotal evidence – Race and Innocence – and an apathetic DOJ
Media statements say that Sessions and his USDOJ does not read its own reports. And he admits it. Tell them that the following is not /anəkˈdōdl/ (not necessarily true or reliable; without facts or research). Here is his USDOJ address https://www.justice.gov/doj/webform/your-message-department-justice … Continue reading
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
‘Vindictive Prosecution’ hangs over DA reluctant to not recharge Bill Richards
Today’s article from Jordan Smith at The Intercept provides history and new developments to Bill Richards’ 23 year journey from a murder conviction to freedom despite District Attorney Mike Ramos unerringly “stupid” threats of re-investigating Richards for the murder of … Continue reading
Retribution in criminal justice reform
“In (the) battle over Nebraska’s death penalty, victims’ families refuse to be political pawns” by @lilianasegura at The Intercept. This parallels California’s upcoming vote to abolish the death penalty. There probably will also be a pro-death penalty measure on the … Continue reading
