Category Archives: Forensic crime lab security issues
Forensics: Looking at years of forensic quality issues, D.C. agencies to launch post-conviction reviews in light of crisis at Department of Forensic Sciences – The Washington Post
Almost a decade ago, this lab lost its “independence” from law enforcement control, and the police/DA/mayor bunch took over. It has gone down hill ever since. The department lost its accreditation in May and recently came under fire for alleged … Continue reading
Forensics: DC crime lab might not fully regain accreditation until early 2022
It could be early 2022 before the embattled D.C. crime lab regains its full accreditation to perform forensic testing, the lab’s interim director told a panel of science advisers last week. — Read on wtop.com/dc/2021/07/dc-crime-lab-might-not-fully-regain-accreditation-until-early-2022/
Forensics: Talk about a political mess. DC leaders have mixed outlook after crime lab loses accreditation
D.C. leaders are reacting to word that the District’s crime lab is now fully unaccredited. While the mayor affirms the lab has appealed the decision, the future of lab operations is in question. — Read on wtop.com/dc/2021/05/dc-leaders-have-mixed-outlook-after-crime-lab-loses-accreditation/
Forensics: DC forensic lab under scrutiny after evidence errors discovered in murder cases
Cop forensics in DC having some problems again and again an……… Federal prosecutors in D.C. have opened a sweeping audit into the handling of ballistics evidence by the District’s forensic lab after the discovery of a… — Read on wtop.com/dc/2020/11/dc-forensic-lab-under-scrutiny-after-evidence-errors-discovered-in-murder-cases/
Forensics: DNA decontamination of fingerprint brushes
Interesting, since low count DNA testing now is derigeur in police crime labs. DNA decontamination of fingerprint brushes – In The Loop — Read on http://www.in-the-loop.net.au/dna-decontamination-of-fingerprint-brushes/
Forensics: DNA contamination personified in this case from Australia.
In the US, prosecutors in San Diego investigated the lab worker whose DNA was mixed up in the crime scene samples. He later committed suicide. This case in AU has similar DNA problems. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-28/more-dna-contamination-claims-emerge-at-claremont-trial/12011756
Forensics: If the UK cares about justice, it must fund forensic services properly | Angela Gallop | Opinion | The Guardian
Budget cuts in England and Wales have reduced independent oversight – and could lead to serious miscarriages of justice, says forensic scientist professor Angela Gallop — Read on http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/13/uk-justice-fund-forensic-services-budget-cuts
Forensics: 1984 murder charge of crime labber now described as lab error.
Those DAs in San Diego are relentless. They’ve ignored this for decades. Crime lab guy suicided before trial. DNA never lies. Right? https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/story/2020-02-04/crime-lab-worker-testifies-he-might-have-contaminated-evidence-in-1984-murder-case
Forensics: After $220M spent the DC crime lab has ongoing ills
The DC lab was founded in 2012 as independent from cops. That lasted abt a year when the cops took it back. See how that has turned out. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/fbi-federal-prosecutors-investigate-districts-forensic-firearms-lab/2020/01/23/c6518f36-3312-11ea-a053-dc6d944ba776_story.html
Forensics: Public familial DNA companies secretly aiding the FBI
Good thread on law enforcement’s expanding use of public corporations who have access to public DNA databases. Customers now worried. But its a business opportunity for one new company. We should add some convers on false positive or otherwise misleading … Continue reading
