Latest News on Forensic Science and Criminal Law
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Category Archives: Forensic Science
More DNA PR on hair from Australia. Why don’t we hear about the data?
Once more, we get a university talking about “great breakthroughs” in forensic analysis. This one is abut collecting “trace” DNA from hair shafts (i.e “shed hair”) which “improves success rates” not seen using prior methods. My main gripe is that these … Continue reading
Forensics: From the New York Legal Aid Society’s DNA UNIT – The latest and the best news
Connect with them @LegalAidNYC A New York Trial Court precludes LCN and FST evidence after extensive Frye Hearing litigated by the Legal Aid Society’s DNA Unit (New York Law Journal)Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Mark Dwyer issued a written decision precluding … Continue reading
Federal court opens door for “new” DNA tests
Forensic science advances get another boost. This quashes DAs disingenuous arguments that appeal litigation for additional DNA testing is bound by a time “statute of limitations.” The rub are states’ laws that require a standard of proof of innocence that … Continue reading
Forensics: Causes of death stranger than seen on CSI
Death by “microwave.” A Forensic Sci Int abstract of a paper on human carbonization by drug traffickers. Subscription needed 24 hour access costs $31.50. Strangulation homicide staged as a suicide by hanging. Cost the same as #1. For those so inclined … Continue reading
Posted in CSI, Forensic Science
Tagged causes of death, Criminal Justice, CSI, Forensic science
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Mini-police crime labs sprouting up all over thanks to the American Soc of Crime Labs
Somebody needs to tell this Winston-Salem police chief how “speedy crime lab tests” (to avoid huge delays from the state lab) might not work out so well in some circumstances. The “speedy trial” reward for being “speedy” in that his … Continue reading
Posted in AAFS, CSI, Forensic Science
Tagged American Academy of Forensic Science, crime labs, Criminal Justice
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FORENSICS: What is a “partial DNA match?” Or, what ARE we talking about here?
This blog follows the event of the Albuquerque police using a “partial DNA match” sufficient to hold a man in jail for 17 months. The news release from New Mexico is vague about what the police are changing in their … Continue reading
“No preset rules in DNA Forensics”: examples of errors and doubts in DNA casework that juries must tackle.
This does not read like CSI Miami. Wait, that one got cancelled. Thank you Jesus. “A 2013 survey by the National Institute of Standards and Technology asked analysts from 108 labs to look at a three-person mixture and determine if … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, criminal justice, CSI, death penalty, DNA mixtures, DNA profiling, Forensic Science, police crime labs, wrongful convictions
Tagged American Academy of Forensic Science, Claim of Innocence, Criminal Justice, CSI, district attorney, DNA profiling, Exculpatory Evidence, FBI Crime Lab, forensic examiner error
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‘Science’ trying to teach science standards in research and publishing. Where’s the J of Forensic Sciences?
This is basic stuff, but after a recent publishing dust-up at Science, a group of gate-keeping science editors and their affiliates constructed a spread sheet with descriptors on how to more ‘scientifically’ vette research and articles published within their respective communities,. … Continue reading
Forensics : DNA inconsistencies slowly are rising into public view
It’s not only pattern analysis that can be fallible – how about DNA? Its mostly about DNA mixtures, stat protocols and inconsistency of multiple analysts. via @ForensicOdont Read more. A commercial lab’s technical paper has more on this. “Mixture interpretation. … Continue reading
Excellent Canadian article on problematic forensics
This is a great piece which echoes others involved in forensic science reform. One statement rings true regarding juries/judges having to interpret exaggerating and conflicting experts. m.thestar.com/#/article/news/crime/2015/06/12/why-its-so-hard-to-keep-bad-forensics-out-of-the-courtroom.html?referrer=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FGmxX8xrGfu
Posted in Bad Forensic Science, Bite Marks, Bitemarks, costs of wrongful convictions, Crime, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI, DNA profiling, exoneration, Exoneration costs, expert testimony, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, forensic science misconduct, forensic science reform, forensic testimony, junk forensic science, National FOrensic Science Commission, police crime labs, Ray Krone bitemark case, US Crime labs, wrongful convictions
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