Category Archives: Forensic Science

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/

Posted in AAFS, Crime lab scandal, forensic fraud, Forensic Science, Forensic science misconduct, junk forensic science, police crime labs, US Crime labs | Leave a comment

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

Posted in AAFS, costs of wrongful convictions, Crime lab scandal, Forensic Science, Forensic science misconduct, forensic toxicology, police crime labs, US Crime labs | Tagged | Leave a comment

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

Posted in AAFS, DNA mixtures, DNA profiling, Forensic Science, police crime labs | Leave a comment

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

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Forensics: Low proficiency experts’ juror effects explored. Insights: Juror Appraisals of Forensic Science Evidence – @CSAFE

Insights: Juror Appraisals of Forensic Science Evidence – Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence — Read on forensicstats.org/blog/2020/10/10/insights-juror-appraisals-of-forensic-science-evidence/

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Forensics: Trade secrets vs Crim Law. A Virginia defendant could be the first to see secret DNA software.

Prosecutors have used software to help convict thousands but have never revealed its source code. A Virginia defendant has won the right to examine it for errors. — Read on http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/legal-issues/trueallele-software-dna-courts/2021/07/12/66d27c44-6c9d-11eb-9f80-3d7646ce1bc0_story.html

Posted in AAFS, DNA mixtures, DNA profiling, Forensic Science, forensic science reform, forensic science reform protecting the innocent | Tagged | Leave a comment

Forensics: Taphonomy dispute. Father’s defense opens with expert pointing to potential wildlife role in 13-year-old son’s death

Father’s defense opens with expert pointing to potential wildlife role in 13-year-old son’s death — Read on http://www.mercurynews.com/2021/07/12/mark-redwine-trial-dylan-redwine-defense/

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