Tag Archives: criminal justice

County judge thinks ‘bitemark guidelines’ show that it is still a “science’

Here is another great example of a criminal court taking the weak way out by using the 1923 Frye Rule thereby allowing any bitemark expert who belongs to a relevant ‘scientific community’ to talk to the jury during a murder … Continue reading

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A strange convergence of personal attacks against female experts in the UK

Just saying……. Waney Squier, the neuropathologist got ‘delisted’ on a complaint from the coppers about lying ( aka ‘misleading’) the court. Shirley McKie, a SPA fingerprint expert, got charged for ‘perjury’ (again in court) by the coppers, tried for perjury , … Continue reading

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A short look at what the Feds don’t like about Science and Forensics

The application of measurement (metrology) science is well established in the basic sciences. In essence it is the collection of physical data and the study of best methods to improve precision of methods. This paper has a well known fingerprint … Continue reading

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Furor over Criminal Justice Reform after police shootings in California

A gang member in custody for the double murder of his cousin and an officer along with the  wounding of another responding officer has brought out emotional statements from police on the subject of sentencing and prison release laws. California … Continue reading

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Musings of the bitemarkers while at #AAFS2017 in NOLA

Its always so thrilling to read about certain bitemarker oral presentations at the annual American Academy meetings. Some of this tribe’s upstanding founders and veterans bring out their guns to profess what they can do. It’s also an always impressive … Continue reading

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Bitemarkers double-down with a “pay-to-play” membership drive #AAFS2017

The on-going American Academy of Forensic Science meeting in New Orleans is a wealth of information on how its varied membership and disciplines manage their little fiefdoms every year. The bitemarkers (American Board of Forensic Odontology) membership numbers are dwindling. … Continue reading

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Crime Fighters are using your family’s DNA to find criminals – Is there a Problem?

“Familial searches take one entire class of citizens — the fathers, sons and brothers of convicted offenders — and turns them into suspects.” Erin Murphy “However, while the public can rest easier knowing the suspect is in custody, there are … Continue reading

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From the Forensic Regulator – Code of Ethics and Standards – #AAFS2017

“My aim is that all forensic science provided to the CJS is of the required level of quality; the quality standards are set out in detail in these Codes.” Dr. Gillian Tully, the UK Forensic Regulator. Notable in this extensive … Continue reading

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Massive ‘Pirate Bay of Science’ and Publishers leads to Battles with some Russians

I just found five Internet sites that claim to have free access to our latest book. All of this leads to reasons why journals subscriptions and textbooks are $$$ and out of reach to many of us as the honest … Continue reading

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Brave New World of Prosecutor Misconduct – Bitemarks and Melissa Mourges – #AAFS2017

In a show of force, collegial prosecutors combine efforts to influence judges to accept half-truths and fraud from the forensic ‘world’ of bitemark matching. Nothing says it better than this new article from the Washington Post. (Ms. Mourges is a … Continue reading

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