Category Archives: Uncategorized

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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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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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

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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)

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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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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

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Valena Beety on the facts behind the new book “Cops in Lab Coats and Forensics”

A soon to be published law review.pdf article by Valena Beety (WVA School of Law and director of the WVA Innocence Project), describes in detail why “Cops in Lab Coats” correctly lobbies for independent crime labs to prevent wrongful convictions. The full book … Continue reading

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Forensics is not immune: The bullshit factor in academics and science

Title: “On the reception and detection of pseudo-profound bullshit” This is a decidedly serious discussion on the soft belly of science and other expertism that is largely uncontrolled by peer review. It may join the continuum Peter W. Huber’s book “Galileo’s … Continue reading

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Forensics: Congrats to U of Dundee receiving a 10million pound Forensic Science grant

This money ( being in UK currency} makes it way larger than any single university US program funding by a power of about 30. The US NIJ should wake up and pay attention. This is a much better investment than some … Continue reading

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NC Forensic Crime Lab responds to “exaggerated” and “false” article citing “corruption.”

Crime labs’ reputations and credibility questions continue to be deliberated in the US and the international press. Writers seldom have substantial knowledge of forensic science, but they have little problem using data from FOIA demands and other public information to … Continue reading

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