Tag Archives: American Academy of Forensic Science

Prevalence of junk forensic experts in US criminal courts

  The core phrase used is “junk experts sneaking” into the courts. Bitemarks as usual, lead the way. The current USDOJ thinking is that everything is AOK. All but two states (California and Texas) do not consider the constitutional rights … Continue reading

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If Bitemark Identifiers Are Flawed, Why Did The AAFS Just Recertify Them?

The decades of criticisms about the American Board of Forensic Odontology’s (ABFO) relationship with the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS) has been a waste of time and effort. This US bitemark bunch gets an accreditation review each five years … Continue reading

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Using bitemarker cases to reflect on how courts should protect the innocent from junk forensic science – Some do and some don’t

Another mini-review of bitemark matching fallacies that present in the US  courts since 1954 and which contributed to dozens wrongful convictions. That number continues to increase. This article focuses on Alfred Swinton’s recent release from a Connecticut prison. It does … Continue reading

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If you want the latest Forensic terminology guidelines – pay up for ASTM documents

Some of these federal OSAC documents on everything “forensic” in regards to vernacular and evidence descriptors are free. Others cost $$$. I find it incredible that governmental funded forensic study groups can produce intellectual property for forensic science practitioners and … Continue reading

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Another junk forensic bitemark case gets reversed – Swinton exonerated after 17 years – DAs still using bitemarks

  This makes 30 cases the infamous practitioners of “forensic” odontology have contributed to false convictions and indictments. Needless to say, the few existing adherents to bitemark voodoo are still alive and well as members of the American Academy of … Continue reading

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Trump’s DOJ promises advancing good things for #Forensic #Science – #PCAST not so much

The governmental missives about improving forensics always gloss over or ignore what the NAS 2009 report and the 2016 PCAST report itemized as areas needing reform. Here we go: “The new guidance implements additional quality assurance measures based on science-informed … Continue reading

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Battle for freedom in another bitemark conviction heats up – DNA evidence from crime scene including murder weapon #AAFS

The John Kunco case in Pennsylvania goes back in my case archives for over 12 years. Early in Mr. Kunco’s post conviction appeals, the opinions of two famous bitemark experts ( at least as far as they are concerned ) … Continue reading

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Sloppy and incompetent cop forensic experts at it again in the Holtzclaw case. #AAFS #Junk #Forensics

Holtzclaw is an ex-cop accused and convicted of numerous sexual assaults under the color of authority. The State’s DNA case against him lacks a serious amount of due process and quality control.  This article has recontructionist Brent Turvey talking about … Continue reading

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Molecular determining Time of Death (TOD) gets some News – #AAFS #Forensics

All of this is very interesting, but is not yet ready for Prime Time by any means. Humoral changes after death are many and extremely varied. Of course, DNA structures are now being looked at the University of Perth, Australia, … Continue reading

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Anti-Junk forensics legislation continues to use bitemark “identifications” in the battle against false convictions.

Keith Harvard. Conviction in 1982. Released in 2016. So far, two states in the US have generated new laws which allow inmates to contest dubious, outmoded or outright false claims of forensic ‘experts’ used to aid their convictions. Texas and … Continue reading

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