Category Archives: Forensic Science

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

Posted in Forensic Science, wrongful convictions | Tagged | Leave a comment

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

Posted in DNA profiling, Forensic Science | Leave a comment

Evidence tampering in the US crime lab system

This ex crime lab “scientist” took a very strange road much to the detriment of defendants’ rights of fairness and due process in court. http://www.adn.com/article/20150123/former-state-crime-lab-employee-pleads-guilty-theft-evidence-tampering

Posted in Forensic Science, forensic science reform, junk forensic science | Tagged | Leave a comment

Dramatic story from a new exoneration. Victims’ family reactions vs DNA evidence

Well written exposes about the human experiences within succesful exoneration litigation. Anger, joy, and racial divides with a tinge of prosecutorial misconduct. Victims’ family.  Joseph Sledge’s perspective. Interview with Joseph Sledge after his release.   

Posted in criminal justice, CSI, exoneration, Forensic Science | Tagged | Leave a comment

How not to behave in court as an expert witness

This story is about how overly aggressive conclusions of guilt (the province of the jury) in forensic science presentations in criminal can make one look like a biased “forensic expert.” https://www.themarshallproject.org/2014/12/23/powerpoint-justice

Posted in criminal justice, CSI, expert testimony, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias | Tagged | Leave a comment

UK Crime Forensics Mirror US Quagmire of Uncertainties.

The following article is concerned about what this chart from the National Registry of Exonerations has established as the leading causes of wrongful convictions. “Privatisation of forensic services ‘threat to justice’ and putting the work in police hands would be … Continue reading

Posted in Crime, criminal justice, Forensic Science | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The unethical rule of politics in the US justice system described as “The Criminalization of Nearly Everything” + Forensic Science News

“The criminalization of nearly everything.” Podcast by journalist Radley Balko explaining the excessive amount and the maze of state and federal laws being overbroad, vague and nearly indefensible for defendants. This system can overwhelm the “presumed innocent until proven guilty” constitutional principle. This … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, Exoneration costs, Forensic Science, prosecutorial misconduct | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Slap Shot At Over Blown Forensic Experts

Forensic Science Is Not CSI, in Ferguson or Anywhere Else – HuffPost Politics http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6356740?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics&partner=skygrid

Posted in Brown shooting evidence, criminal justice, expert testimony, Forensic Science, forensic testimony | Tagged | 1 Comment

Judge tosses out two types of DNA evidence used regularly in criminal cases

Judge tosses out two types of DNA evidence used regularly in criminal cases – Forensics in Focus EXCLUSIVE: Justice Mark Dwyer has ditched the results of low copy number DNA testing and Forensic Statistical Tool from the cases of Andrew … Continue reading

Posted in criminal justice, expert testimony, Forensic Science | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Junk Forensic Science Shows Up at the 2015 American Academy of Forensic Sciences Meeting – Again

Forensic science fails in specific controversial areas of wherein “classic” investigation methods, never brought forth by the scientific method, are still posing as “business as usual.”. Think of the “matches” you hear about on TV.  Ignore DNA and Toxicology. This is … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bad Forensic Science, Bitemarks, Forensic Science, forensic science reform, junk forensic science, Uncategorized | 1 Comment