Category Archives: fingerprints
Forensics: Fingerprint error rate on close non‐matches
Bursting a major fingerprint fallacy of infallibility. Fingerprint error rates. — Read on onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1556-4029.14580
Forensics: Opinion. It’s time to end the trade secret evidentiary privilege among forensic algorithm vendors
The GAO report shines an urgent spotlight on technical issues concerning law enforcement’s use of forensic algorithms. Policymakers should act now to ensure that forensic algorithm vendors do not abuse intellectual property laws to undermine due process values. — Read … Continue reading
Posted in AAFS, fingerprints, Forensic Science, human identification
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Forensics: “Autopsy of a Crime Lab” mentions bitemarks and “police forensics.”
Garrett’s new book details injustices in police and prosecutor controlled expert crime scene analyses. His narrative includes steps to insure true quality controls, full disclosure of lab results and avoidance of cognitive biases. http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/2021/04/12/brandon-garrett-director-of-the-wilson-center-for-science-and-justice-discusses-his-new-book-autopsy-of-a-crime-lab-exposing-the-flaws-in-forensics/
Forensics: Fingerprint comparison in real time.
Interesting look at how pattern analysts collaborate and critique their differences. Their collegial culture is impressive. Photoshop tools are a great improvement in visualizing and recording features. My bitemark cronies were exposed to these methods 20 years ago. The difference … Continue reading
Forensics: As expected FP Examiners are all over the map. Examining and expanding the friction ridge value decision.
Is thus really a “science?” More like tea leaves, phrenology or astrology. Some FP folks are really concerned. Examining and expanding the friction ridge value decision – ScienceDirect — Read on http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037907382030270X
Forensics: Convicted by software? Not so fast, says California lawmaker
The statements from the go to cop DNA mixture guru at TrueAllele continues to be self serving and problematic. Ive heard similar claims of accuracy from palm readers on TV. Doesnt seem to bother him much. Democratic Rep. Mark Takano … Continue reading
Forensics: Right to cop fingerprint and DNA matching databases can exonerate the innocent – often DAs object
This article talks about cops refusal and unfair prosecutorial objections to defendants having access to fingerprint search data owned by the police. The cop alternative is for defs to “trust” the police. What a joke. We should also include access … Continue reading
Today’s #Forensic News around the Globe: Crime rate within crime labs increasing
From the archives. Smithsonian talks about the career of a very reclusive founding father of scientific approaches to trace evidence analysis who worked from 1929 to 1954. Some called him “Detective X.” Somehow he determined the ransom notes in the Lindberg kidnapping … Continue reading
Propaganda piece by embattled forensic dentistry group published by CA Dental Association.
An opening statement. To be honest, this ABFO generated material is nothing new. What is typical, along with the personal attacks, is the absence of meaningful point-by-point discussion of scientific (i.e. the 2009 NAS Report) and exoneration case evaluation. It also … Continue reading
Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bad Forensic Science, Bite Marks, Bitemarks, Civil rights, costs of wrongful convictions, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI, death penalty, DNA profiling, exoneration, fingerprints, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, forensic science misconduct, forensic science reform, junk forensic science
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The dawn of US forensic science had a few peculiar bedfellows
Taking at look at 1904 to the present regarding science and non-science accepted as such. Includes SBS, phrenology, eugenics, gun powder, bullet lead, ear prints, fiber, bitemark and hair matchers. Law professors Saks and Koehler urge that its “time … Continue reading
