Category Archives: US Crime labs

Forensics: Bad cops.

A police detective has been sentenced to imprisonment for misconduct in public office after falsely claiming a suspect’s DNA was on a material piece of evidence. — Read on http://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/police-officer-sent-to-prison-for-falsifying-evidence/

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Forensics: Cheaters in the lab. NYC Medical Examiner reviews 100s of cases in analysts probe

New York City’s Medical Examiner’s office said Friday it is reviewing hundreds of cases in a probe of misconduct by three forensic analysts — Read on http://www.nydailynews.com/2023/12/15/nyc-medical-examiners-office-reviewing-hundreds-of-cases-in-budding-lab-scandal/

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bad Forensic Science, Crime lab scandal, criminal justice, forensic fraud, Forensic Science, forensic science misconduct, US Crime labs | 1 Comment

Forensics: Civil Judges get it. But criminal courts still allow bitemarks. Junk Science in the Courtroom Keeps Coming Back – and Getting Swatted

There’s something about autism that invites scapegoating. The latest attack was on makers of Lexapro, the anti-depressant medication, when used during pregnancy. Six plaintiffs recruited three experts to testify to a supposed causal connection between the drug and their children’s … Continue reading

Posted in AAFS, Bad Forensic Science, Bite Marks, Bitemarks, costs of wrongful convictions, criminal justice reform, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, US Crime labs | Leave a comment

NamUS cases. 13 sets of human remains found in Knox County, TN still unidentified

With some dating back as far as the 1980s, a total of 13 unidentified remains cases in Knox County are still still unsolved. — Read on http://www.wate.com/news/lonely-bones/13-sets-of-human-remains-still-unidentified-in-knox-county/

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Forensics: Challenging Genetic Genealogy. Bryan Kohberger news: Attorney says ‘no connection’ between defendant, victims of Idaho murders –

Ahead of the Bryan Kohberger trial, the defendant’s attorney is saying there is no connection between him and the victims of the Idaho murders. — Read on abc7.com/bryan-kohberger-news-trial-update/13426906/

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Forensics: ASU study sheds new light on inconclusive gun evidence. Should be considered exculpatory.

A forensic study that examined the validity of forensic cartridge-case comparisons found that inconclusive reports are actually a predictor of innocence, providing new evidence that could contribute to post-conviction arguments or prevent innocent suspects from being charged in gun-related crimes. … Continue reading

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Forensics: After decades of arguing DC Council Votes To Keep Crime Lab Out Of MPD Hands

The vote rejects a proposal from Mayor Muriel Bowser, which would have moved crime scene science duties under the D.C. police department. — Read on dcist.com/story/23/06/13/dc-council-maintains-crime-lab-independence/

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Forensics: Florida man Donald Santini arrested in 40 year old cold case

Donald Michael Santini was arrested on Wednesday June 7, in the 1984 killing of Cynthia Ruth, a 33-year-old woman found strangled in Hillsborough County Florida. — Read on nypost.com/2023/06/11/florida-man-donald-santini-arrested-in-decades-old-cold-case/

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Forensics: Uniqueness fallacy in forensics. Devil in the grooves: The case against forensic firearms analysis

A landmark Chicago court ruling threatens a century of expert ballistics testimony — Read on radleybalko.substack.com/p/devil-in-the-grooves-the-case-against

Posted in AAFS, criminal justice reform, Forensic Science Bias, forensic science reform, US Crime labs | 1 Comment

Forensic science discovery suggests bacteria could help convict sex offenders without DNA.

Ruby Dixon says it’s the pervasiveness of sexual assault that drives her to find new ways of gathering evidence to hold perpetrators accountable. — Read on http://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-21/forensic-scientists-murdoch-perth-bacteria-sex-assault-evidence/102369900

Posted in AAFS, DNA profiling, human identification, US Crime labs | Leave a comment