Category Archives: Forensic Science

Forensics: Despite USDOJ claim of ballistics “quasi-science,”Auditor to review DC ballistic crime lab’s compliance with 2011 law creating independent forensic agency

The troubled D.C. crime lab is getting another probing: This time by the Office of the D.C. Auditor. — Read on wtop.com/dc/2021/08/auditor-to-review-dc-crime-labs-compliance-with-2011-law-creating-independent-forensic-agency/

Posted in AAFS, Bad Forensic Science, costs of wrongful convictions, Crime lab scandal, criminal justice, forensic evidence exaggeration, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, Forensic science misconduct, US Crime labs | Tagged | Leave a comment

Forensics: Unknown DOJ Prosecutor writes policy statement ignoring scientific commissions’ years of critical review.

Another hit piece by government lawyers claiming scientific scrutiny of police science is unscientific. Weird. Democracy Forward and the Union of Concerned Scientists say the Trump-era statement is biased, inaccurate, and runs afoul of federal law. — Read on theintercept.com/2021/08/08/forensic-science-reform-justice-department/

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Forensics: Coroner in Missouri county keeps COVID off of death certificates

Now that’s a crime. Macon County Coroner Brian Hayes acknowledges that he has omitted COVID from death certificates at the request of some families, a practice that others in his field call ethically questionable. — Read on amp.kansascity.com/news/coronavirus/article253147128.html

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Forensics: No autopsy done in Santa Barbara homicide trial. Forensic Pathologist Testifies that Death Investigation Is no substitute.

By Maia Surendra SANTA BARBARA, CA – In the Scott Fleming jury trial Wednesday in Dept. 1 of Santa Barbara County Superior Court, presided over by Judge — Read on http://www.davisvanguard.org/2021/08/forensic-pathologist-testifies-that-death-investigation-is-inadequate-to-answer-all-questions/

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Forensics: A bad day: Medical Examiner’s Office chief toxicologist faces criminal probe with potential legal ramifications in years of cases

Gary Kunsman, the chief toxicologist for the Broward Medical Examiner’s Office, is under investigation for the alleged theft of a controlled substance and evidence tampering. — Read on http://www.local10.com/news/local/2021/07/29/chief-toxicologist-at-broward-medical-examiners-office-under-criminal-investigation/

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Forensics: Time of death from rigor mortis. Forensic pathologists disagree with defense experts in Rodney Reed case

Is this really science? A great example of some experts pushing beyond the data limits of their TOD estimates. Exaggeration and probable expectational bias due to outside circumstances. — Read on http://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/forensic-pathologists-disagree-with-defense-experts-in-rodney-reed-case/

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Forensics: Washington State Patrol’s toxicology lab ran tests in office contaminated by meth, possibly jeopardizing thousand of cases

SEATTLE – Behind the locked doors of a third-floor office in South Seattle, countertop instruments filled with dozens of tiny vials feed data to nearby monitors while performing scores of tests each day in pursuit of justice. — Read on … Continue reading

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Forensics: Native American children’s remains returned from boarding school

Remains of children from the Rosebud Sioux tribe returned home in emotional ceremonies held in Yankton and Whetstone Landing, about two hours from Iowa. — Read on amp.desmoinesregister.com/amp/8001971002

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Forensics: Military forensic team could help identify Native residential school remains: Canada

The Casualty Identification Program specializes in using forensics along with historical and anthropological research to identify battlefield remains. — Read on globalnews.ca/news/8035204/canadian-forces-identification-team-residential-schools/

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Forensics: Leaving trace DNA? All Cops Should Submit DNA Samples to Avoid Crime-Scene Confusion

Researchers hope the review will prod the NYPD to convince its unions to create a database of all officers to avoid possible wrongful arrests and convictions. But will New York cop unions comply? — Read on http://www.thecity.nyc/2021/7/15/22575790/all-cops-should-submit-dna-samples-to-avoid-crime-scene-confusion-federal-report

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