Category Archives: Forensic Science

Strange case involving Amanda Knox’s supposed forensic team DNA expert.

Strange case involving Amanda Knox’s supposed defense team DNA expert. Some folks get suspicious when a defense expert goes on the defensive after being VERY public in the press. A reporter tries to find out about how a DNA biologist … Continue reading

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Keeping Prosecutors protected from personal liability is the spawn of SCOTUS

An opinion piece pointedly discussing the exoneration cases where prosecutors continue to avoid legal consequences for dishonest acts such as perjury and other malfeasance. She makes SCOTUS ultimately responsible. Thanks to Phil Locke at the @wrongconvblog for this link. Full … Continue reading

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John Lentini on underpaid and under ‘scienced’ arson investigators; Bad ballistics and fingerprints in Omaha

From the man who is bringing arson investigations into a science-based method using chemistry, physics, thermodynamics and testing. Unfortunately there are hiccups in finding  $ and any police who have a science background. Full article. Omaha prosecutor warns defense attorneys about … Continue reading

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Forensics: GermanWings 320 recovery details

“A team of 50 forensic workers face a daunting scene: a vast stretch of debris scattered over treacherous mountain ridges that can only be accessed with the help of climbing gear and a cadre of mountaineers.” Thus far about 500 … Continue reading

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BACK to Supreme Court to test new law on forensic ‘science’

A remarkably sad, infuriating  and frustrating ordeal one man in California prison has experienced for 22 years is winding up in intensity. William Richards’ 1997 murder conviction in San Bernardino had been overturned by a habeas corpus hearing in 2010, … Continue reading

Posted in Bad Forensic Science, Bitemarks, criminal justice, Forensic Science, junk forensic science, wrongful convictions | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

THe NIST Forensic Science Commission Lays an Egg with its Bitemark Study Group. Now its hatching.

OSAC Subcommittee on Ondontology (sic) The original source of this NIST  information is here.  Other than originally mis-spelling ODONTOLOGY, this NIST subcommittee (OSAC) on Forensic Dentistry should do well dealing with dental identification of unknown human remains, but in the … Continue reading

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Faulty Forensic Science Failing US Court System – Op-Ed from Live Sciences

“Karen Kafadar is Commonwealth Professor and chair of the Department of Statistics at the University of Virginia and a member of the Forensic Science Standards Board. Anne-Marie Mazza is the director of the Committee on Science, Technology and Law of the … Continue reading

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The “gut feeling basis of traditional forensic sciences” and “Quick Picks” from @wrongconvblog

The “gut” feeling in fingerprint matching ‘science?” “Gut feeling is responsible for a lot more of the accuracy than many people think, even the experts themselves,” says Dr Matthew Thompson of the University of Queensland School of Psychology” Great links from … Continue reading

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AAFS 2015 Expect live streaming on @csidds on Science and Law

I will be live reporting from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Orlando annual meeting this week. Expect some interesting commentary about Forensic Reform and wrongful convictions associated with members of the AAFS. Follow me on my Twitter account @csidds. … Continue reading

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Forensic Science: UK murder energizes public to give DNA samples

This case is reminiscent of first use of DNA profiling tech by Sir Alec Jeffreys in the mid 1980s. Via Nora Rudin. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-sussex-30972723

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