Category Archives: Forensic Science Bias

Forensics: let’s hear it for another biased and messed up Jack the Ripper case

Posted on September 29, 2019 by csidds

This time its the Journal of Forensic Sciences that gets the gong for publishing a one-sided example of fumbled assumptions and disconnected exaggerations abt mitochondrial DNA. https://www.kxan.com/news/jack-the-ripper-identity-questioned-by-texas-state-research-professor/

Posted in Bad Forensic Science, criminal justice, DNA profiling, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias | Tagged | 1 Comment

Forensics: Botched digital measurements led to 11 years in prison. New trial ordered.

Posted on September 13, 2019 by csidds

DAs expert used a fancy software program to analyze a robbery vid. He botched it. The perp is short. This man is 6’3″. A jailhouse snitch lied during his trial. The DA was mute during all of it. https://www.dallasnews.com/news/courts/2019/09/12/texas-man-subject-of-netflix-doc-ordered-released-after-11-years-behind-bars/

Posted in AAFS, Bad Forensic Science, costs of wrongful convictions, Crime lab scandal, CSI, expert testimony, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, junk forensic science | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Forensics: Botched digital measurements led to 11 years in prison. New trial ordered.

Forensics Australia gets low marks from a senior judge

Posted on September 2, 2019 by csidds

Unreliability of forensic experts gets serious attention from a high level jurist. Some of this started in California’s bitemark case of Bill Richards. @CA_Innocence. https://www.smh.com.au/national/top-judge-worried-forensic-evidence-putting-innocent-people-behind-bars-20190823-p52k3l.html

Posted in AAFS, Bad Forensic Science, Bitemarks, criminal justice, expert testimony, forensic misconuct, Forensic Science Bias, Forensic science misconduct, police crime labs, US Crime labs | Leave a comment

Forensics incorrect between 23% to 96% of court cases

Posted on August 31, 2019 by csidds

A UK study group describes their study as demanding a “holistic overhaul” of these practices taken into criminal courts. It contains a good review of US exoneration efforts to effect forensics. Too bad the police controlled forensic managers seem deaf … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, Bitemarks, Crime, criminal justice, CSI, expert testimony, Forensic Science Bias, Forensic science misconduct, junk forensic science, police crime labs | Leave a comment

Forensics: Physics makes important inroads to outdated blood spatter expertise.

Posted on August 30, 2019 by csidds

This is a well referenced look at BPA. The perspective is clearly science-based and unfettered by practitioner assumptions and biases. Rather refreshing, to put it mildly, and it also uncovers how BPA experts don’t agree with each other on basic … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, CSI, expert testimony, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, US Crime labs | Leave a comment

Looking at a Revolution? Getting Forensics Out of Law Enforcement

Posted on August 26, 2019 by csidds

Many reform ideas in this series of Q&A to forensic and legal experts by the WaPo’s Radley Balko. All are logical and very practical. Prosecutors must be gagging. Here is a quote: Chris Fabricant, the Innocence Project Easiest reform: Eliminate … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, Bite Marks, Bitemarks, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, forensic science reform | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

More judge-like delusions about error rates in forensics not being necessary.

Posted on August 20, 2019 by csidds

This time it is in Australia. It does mentions that bitemarks are now outlawed Down Under? Now how did THAT happen? I havent heard a peep abt it. https://www.smh.com.au/national/csi-not-so-scientific-doubt-cast-on-veracity-of-forensic-evidence-20190816-p52hq9.html

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, CSI, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, junk forensic science | Leave a comment

Blood spatter analysis (i.e. BPA) theories contradict physics and scientific research. Study reveals serious lack of university-level involvement in this police-adopted method.

Posted on August 13, 2019 by csidds

Is anyone suprised? The spatterists still are throwing pig blood against walls and clothing. This study debunks their “velocity” of impact/force blood spatter paradigms. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/article/forensics-bloodstain-pattern-analysis/ Kudos to The Innocence Project’s Sarah Chu for her comments in this NOVA article. Read … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bite Marks, Bitemarks, criminal justice reform, CSI, Forensic Science Bias, junk forensic science, US Crime labs | Comments Off on Blood spatter analysis (i.e. BPA) theories contradict physics and scientific research. Study reveals serious lack of university-level involvement in this police-adopted method.

Forensic bias dangers from police interactions

Posted on August 10, 2019 by csidds

Notables discuss the interface between police and anyone examining crime scene evidence. Especially those folks working police crime labs. Recent cases of experts being influenced by police theories certainly highlights this as creating cognitive bias. It is very hard to … Continue reading →

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bite Marks, Bitemarks, costs of wrongful convictions, Crime, Crime lab scandal, criminal justice, CSI, Dr. Michael West, Forensic crime lab security issues, Forensic Science Bias | Leave a comment

Junk science vs DNA leads to law suit for compensation

Posted on August 1, 2019 by csidds

All this began with a “match” of one hair made during the heyday of this now discredited FBI crime fighting method. http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/20190801/man-sues-claiming-wrongful-conviction

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