Forensics: Modern face of Homo antecessor may have had insufficient room for wisdom teeth

Oral surgeons would have had a field day back then.

Modern face of Homo antecessor may have had insufficient room for wisdom teeth
— Read on phys.org/news/2020-01-modern-homo-antecessor-insufficient-room.amp

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Forensics: App created by Clemson researcher uses photos of dead bodies, roadkill to help forensic teams determine time of death | Clemson University News and Stories, South Carolina

Im not sure about the “near instant” part.

A new smartphone app developed by a Clemson researcher is designed to aid coroners and forensic teams in determining time of death by improving the understanding of body decomposition. The app allows users to enter observations, photos and other information related to geography and crime scene data when uncovering human or animal remains. After years of use, app developers hope the data collected will allow a near-instant estimate of time of death in the field.
— Read on newsstand.clemson.edu/mediarelations/app-created-by-clemson-researcher-uses-photos-of-dead-bodies-roadkill-to-help-forensic-teams-determine-time-of-death/

Posted in AAFS, CSI, forensic pathology, Forensic Science, human identification, missing persons, post mortem interval | Leave a comment

Forensics: Locards paradigm rebuffed. Forensic research proves that textile fibres can be transferred between clothing in the absence of contact

Fibers transfer without contact. LCN (low cell number) DNA needs similar studies.

Forensic research proves that textile fibres can be transferred between clothing in the absence of contact
— Read on phys.org/news/2020-08-forensic-textile-fibres-absence-contact.html

Posted in AAFS, criminal justice, CSI, DNA profiling, expert testimony, Forensic Science, police custody deaths, wrongful convictions | Leave a comment

Forensics: The Junk Science Cops Use to Decide You’re Lying

Leaked documents detail law enforcement trainings in lie detection techniques that have been discredited by scientists.
— Read on theintercept.com/2020/08/12/blueleaks-law-enforcement-police-lie-detection/

Posted in AAFS, Bad Forensic Science, Bitemarks, costs of wrongful convictions, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, CSI, forensic evidence exaggeration, Forensic Science, Forensic science misconduct, forensic testimony, junk forensic science | Leave a comment

Forensics India: Bitemarks In The Dock: The Questions We Are Not Asking

The article restates what has been done in the US debunking bitemarkers and recommends adoption of same in India. Also, the author says many Indian courts and prosectors still demand bitemark pattern evidence continue to be used. This is similar to the US National Association of Medical Examiners (@theNAME1966) demanding employment of bitemarkers dentists for ME facilities to achieve its “accreditation.”

Indian courts should urgently take notice of the scientific research into the validity and reliability of several forensic disciplines
— Read on www.livelaw.in/columns/forensic-science-in-the-dock-the-questions-we-are-not-asking-161313

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bad Forensic Science, Bite Marks, costs of wrongful convictions, Crime lab scandal, criminal justice, CSI, forensic evidence exaggeration, forensic fraud, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, forensic science misconduct, forensic science reform, junk forensic science | Leave a comment

Forensics: A British AI Tool to Predict Violent Crime Is Too Flawed to Use

The insidious creep of junk forensics. Much like US medical examiners being forced to hire ABFO bitemarkers in order to be certified by TheName.org

A government-funded system known as Most Serious Violence was built to predict first offenses but turned out to be wildly inaccurate.
— Read on www.wired.com/story/a-british-ai-tool-to-predict-violent-crime-is-too-flawed-to-use/

Posted in AAFS, ABFO, Bitemarks, costs of wrongful convictions, CSI, forensic fraud, forensic pathology, Forensic Science, forensic science misconduct, junk forensic science | Leave a comment

Forensics: read every word. DNA mixtures – Do you understand them? | Forensic Context

A simple introduction to DNA mixtures in forensic science, what are they, why they occur and the issues with assessing their evidential value.
— Read on www.forensiccontext.com/dna-mixtures-do-you-understand-them/

Posted in AAFS, CSI, DNA mixtures, DNA profiling, forensic evidence exaggeration, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, forensic testimony, human identification | Leave a comment

Forensics: Error Rates, Likelihood Ratios, and Jury Evaluation of Forensic Evidence – Garrett – 2020 – Journal of Forensic Sciences – Wiley Online Library

Error Rates, Likelihood Ratios, and Jury Evaluation of Forensic Evidence – Garrett – 2020 – Journal of Forensic Sciences – Wiley Online Library
— Read on onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1556-4029.14323

Posted in AAFS, costs of wrongful convictions, criminal justice, criminal justice reform, expert testimony, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, forensic testimony | Leave a comment

Forensics: Local Medical Examiner Breaks Down Florida’s Death Reportd

In words unspoken, this proves the politicians are liars.

On a day when Florida broke yet another record for deaths reported in a single day, Governor Ron Desantis continued to cast doubt on the death count being…
— Read on www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/local-medical-examiner-breaks-down-floridas-covid-death-toll-reporting/2267063/

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Forensics: St. Louis prosecutor instructed crime lab experts to reassemble Patricia McCloskey’s gun

This is about a husband and wife brandishing weapons at BLM protesters walking past their mansion. Their def atty says the wife’s gun was inoperative and now claims it has been tainted by the DA. Dad had an assault rifle and at one point had it aimed at her head. Brilliant.

A St. Louis prosecutor ordered Patricia McCloskey’s gun to be dismantled and reassembled, noting that it was “readily capable of lethal use” in charging documents.
— Read on www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/st-louis-prosecutor-instructed-crime-lab-experts-to-reassemble-patricia-mccloskeys-gun

Posted in AAFS, criminal justice, Forensic Science, US Crime labs | Leave a comment