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Innocence Projects’ praise for Texas Forensic Commission’s deep look into bitemarks
The NY Innocence Project talks about this week’s New York Times article which has gone viral on the Net as an example of forensic science “reform” taking place in Texas. The bitemarkers are resorting to innuedos and red herrings to defend … Continue reading
Forensics: New York Times calls Bitemarkers’ Evidence risking “Lives in Balance”
The lack of legit validation for the AAFS supported bitemark ID group was in plain sight during last month’s Texas Forensic Science Commission fact-finding hearing on this junk forensic science. This photo shows Innocent Project’s Director of Strategic Litigation Chris Fabricant … Continue reading
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Forensic expert muses on his certitude that possible death penalty outcome is not relevant
This is the landscape of NGRI the defense (not guilty by reason of insanity or incompetent to be executed). Or lack thereof. If nothing else, this open declaration by a forensic expert reveals a rationale of the “greater good” somehow … Continue reading
Forensics: Belfast Detective faked sexual assault tests to reduce caseload
“Working in the Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire sex crimes unit, he failed to send evidence including swabs and a condom for forensic and toxicological tests before recording “negative” results in the crime reporting information system (Cris).” http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/jail-for-detective-who-faked-results-of-forensic-tests-in-sex-crime-inquiries-34276502.html
Forensics: Freddie Gray death trial brings out all sorts of theories of what, where, and how
The opposing attorneys do battle with expert wits in a way that really highlights the entire legal adversary process in the US CJ system. The degree of physical impairment from the cervical injury is well described. The timeline of where … Continue reading
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Tagged American Academy of Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, CSI, Forensic science
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Forensics: Goulish story about vampirism myths in the United States
(What a crazy set of teeth. Awesome dental prosthetic from the “Nosferatu” silent film.) This confirms that New Englanders always have had a strange way about themselves. http://strangeremains.com/2015/11/01/the-vampire-slayings-in-19th-century-new-england/
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Tagged falsified evidence, junk science, misidentification, vampires
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When a forensic pathologist testifies for the defense, the testimony is always “controversial”
This is about the Freddie Gray related trial of police officers in Baltimore. Dr. Vincent Di Maio, a forensic pathologist and former chief medical examiner in San Antonio, said Gray’s injury was “so violent, it’s so high-energy” that it … Continue reading
Forensics: Arrests, Confessions and Convictions before substantive drug tests are finished.
The scenario: A “rush to justice” with considerable “war on drugs” overcharging of simple possession penalties leads to coerced plea bargains occurring months before definitive forensic testing is completed. http://www.takepart.com/feature/2015/11/20/houston-drug-war-exonerations?utm_source=Legal+Aid+DNA+Newsletter&utm_campaign=c1945f2fd3-DNA_Newsletter_144_28_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_332a53a218-c1945f2fd3-80240109&ct=t(DNA_Newsletter_144_28_2015)
Forensics: Candid discussion on PTSD from noted Scot forensic expert
Professor Sue Black’s comments are short but extremely relevant. She should be commended for speaking of her personal experience. I suggest that forensic training courses and academic programs should recognize the subject of forensic-related PTSD prevention and treatment in their … Continue reading
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Tagged American Academy of Forensic Science, CSI, Forensic Science PTSD
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Forensics: Itel Dror is a pioneer in “cognitvie bias” effects on CSI and courtroom testimony
Image from a prosecution’s bitemark expert. All it shows are common dental features. Overstated forensic science opinions can lead suspects into false confession. This Irish Times article gives this an overview and covers Itiel Dror’s decades long work examining how prosecutorial … Continue reading