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Category Archives: exoneration
Forensics: A Trail of Tears. How the Junk Science of Hair Analysis Keeps People Behind Bars – Mother Jones
Each of these cases takes years to litigate and $ defendants don’t possess. The technique, developed before DNA testing, can’t definitively tie suspects to crime scenes. Try explaining that to juries — or some judges. — Read on http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/12/how-the-junk-science-of-hair-analysis-keeps-people-behind-bars/
Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bad Forensic Science, Bite Marks, Bitemarks, costs of wrongful convictions, Crime lab scandal, exoneration, Exoneration costs, forensic evidence exaggeration, forensic science misconduct, forensic testimony, human rights violations, junk forensic science, prosecutorial misconduct, wrongful convictions
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Forensics: 44 exoneration cases involving bitemark opinions had a 77% error rate. The Impact of False or Misleading Forensic Evidence on Wrongful Convictions | National Institute of Justice
Wrongful conviction, or the conviction of a person for a crime that they did not commit, is one of the greatest travesties of the criminal justice system. As of 2023, The National Registry of Exonerations has recorded over 3,000 cases … Continue reading
Forensics: Unfair Ballistics examiners wrongly describe some results, Iowa State profs say
When ballistics experts say a match between 2 bullet casings is ‘inconclusive,’ it nearly always means a non-match, a result that could help defendants — Read on http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2023/11/27/forensic-ballistics-examiners-results-questioned-in-isu-research-iowa-state-evidence-crime-scene/71584697007/
Forensics: Retrospective on effects of Mary Bush reseach. “Impossible to find old cases.” UB researcher brings awareness to flaws in bitemark evidence
There’s an ongoing effort to raise awareness and reverse mistakes caused by bite mark evidence. — Read on spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2023/09/25/ub-researcher-brings-awareness-to-flaws-in-bitemark-evidence
‘Flawed’ bitemark evidence in court could lead to wrongful convictions, even death sentences – Study Finds – @The_AAFS
The American Academy of Forensics Sciences should pay attention and remove these dentists’ accreditation. According to the findings, bitemarks on skin do not transfer accurately, and even minor distortions could potentially match a large number of individuals. — Read on … Continue reading
Forensics: Weil Secures Exoneration and Innocence for Texas Man Who Wrongly Served 26 Years in Prison – Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
In a matter referred to Weil by the Innocence Project in 2020, a Weil pro bono team, working in partnership with the Innocence Project and the Dallas District Attorney’s Office Conviction Integrity Division, successfully secured exoneration and an actual innocence … Continue reading
Forensics: Daniel Saldana exonerated after spending 33 years in prison for attempted murder
Daniel Saldana was freed 33 years after he was wrongfully convicted of trying to murder a group of high school students, Los Angeles County DA George Gascón said. — Read on nypost.com/2023/05/25/daniel-saldana-exonerated-after-spending-33-years-in-prison-for-attempted-murder/
Forensics: passing the $$. Montana’s pay for wrongful convictions will end if governor’s veto stands
Cody Marble, the only person so far to file a claim under the program, said he was not surprised with the disconnect between the Gov. Greg Gianforte and the Legislature. — Read on helenair.com/content/tncms/live/
Forensics: The fight for exoneration: Over 29,100 years ‘lost’ in prison in wrongful convictions, database finds
Over 29,100 years have been ‘lost’ in prison due to wrongful convictions, as Sidney Holmes’ 400-year prison sentence garners attention amid his exoneration. — Read on abcnews.go.com/US/fight-exoneration-29100-years-lost-prison-wrongful-convictions/story
Forensics: New Colorado Law Makes it Easier for the Wrongly Convicted to Prove Innocence Using DNA Evidence – Innocence Project
New Colorado Law Makes it Easier for the Wrongly Convicted to Prove Innocence Using DNA Evidence – Innocence Project — Read on innocenceproject.org/new-colorado-law-makes-it-easier-for-the-wrongly-convicted-to-prove-innocence-using-dna-evidence/