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Category Archives: forensic science reform protecting the innocent
1986 Junk Science article Prosecutors love to use – Predicting and “Curing” Recidivism
Much like using the 1978 revelation that bitemarks “convicted” serial killer Ted Bundy, this September 12th, 2017 article tracks the origins of another forensic myth still in effect in sexual offender punishment masquerading as “therapy’ in Wisconsin. When Junk Science … Continue reading
Advanced Forensic Nursing training in Pennsylvania – Not Phleboto-Cops
Specialized nursing training to provide care for victims of violent crime and forensic investigations. On-the-job training is not sufficient. If you can believe it, some police agencies train officers to collect biological evidence from patients. Unbelieveable. They’re called Phleboto-Cops. … Continue reading
Bad digital forensics dust up in the UK – “Cops rip off company’s hacking program”
The area of police investigating digital evidence used one company’s proprietary cracking program and staff at the peak of their success. Until the police took the program public and put it on the Internet. https://www.standard.co.uk/business/collapsed-forensics-firm-s-boss-the-police-ruined-me-now-i-fear-for-terror-probes-a3645006.html
Look at the ‘Individualization Fallacy in Forensic Science Evidence’ -The Classic Article
This should be required reading in forensic courses and law schools. Even if the @NDAAJustice DAs lack the academic capacity to understand some of it, they should read it too. In 22 pages, it provides a contemporary forensic history lesson, … Continue reading
A “discrepant” view on flawed forensics leading to later exonerations – bitemarks at al.
A mighty effort by someone connected to the National Institute of Justice to blend ‘forward thinking’ about science and better crime lab management improving the reliability of criminal convictions. The author uses a blend of data that minimizes how many … Continue reading
Making sure non data-driven forensics gets a pass in the courtroom – “I’m an examiner”
This is from a well positioned advocate of “source of the evidence” determinations being based on “expertise.” The writer has an affinity for bitemark analysis as well and worries about the DAs losing their advantage of using soft ‘police science’ … Continue reading
Forensics: Scientific American goes after (again) Trump/Sessions dumping NCFS Commission
This iconic publisher of all things related to science has consistently reflected the need for advances in forensic reliability and “gap” analysis to reduce errors. SA has republished this piece previously titled “Forensic Science Must Be Scientific.” Wrongful convictions … Continue reading
The failure of Forensic Evidence standards: Daubert flaws allowing junk science in courts
“This article examines the justice system’s failure by reviewing the status of six forensic techniques: (1) bite mark analysis, (2) microscopic hair comparisons, (3) firearms and toolmark identifications, (4) fingerprint examinations, (5) bullet lead analysis, and (6) arson evidence. It … Continue reading
“When you mix police work and science, they don’t always speak the same language,”
Nothing but the facts in this one. Other than to remind you all that the Feds want to monitor their own forensic science commission. “In fact, the auditing agencies designated to watch the lab in the past missed the warning … Continue reading
Forensics Video: The Big Problems with Testing Tiny Bits of DNA
From ProPublica: “ProPublica senior reporting fellow Lauren Kirchner explains the controversy over some DNA testing methods developed by the NYC crime lab” Subscribe to the DNA Newsletter for the latest on forensic news
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