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Tag Archives: Forensic science
Judges Training Empowers Judiciary to Understand Forensic Sciences and Methods
Scientific ‘critical thinking’ is the prominent theme of this recent 9th Circuit training symposium. The title is: SKEPTICISM of Forensic Methods Urged at Ninth Circuit Conference UCLA Law School Dean Jennifer Mnookin says…… “Faulty forensic science is the second most … Continue reading
Forensics and Police Science Potpourri – Unfortunately its all bad.
Los Alamos Study Claims Airport Scanners Can Rip Apart & Alter DNA: http://www.collective-evolution.com/2017/02/19/los-alamos-study-finds-airport-scanners-can-rip-apart-alter-dna/ Kentucky Police Dept. Accused of Fabricating Blood and Hair DNA, Polygraph Results and Eyewitness Testimony: http://www.courthousenews.com/inmates-wrongfully-convicted-satanic-killing-say-cops-fabricated-evidence/ Junk-science crisis in crime labs There is a long-festering systemic crisis in … Continue reading
Looking at your cellphone for spit, sweat, cosmetics, and DNA
Running labs test on personal items retrieved from crime scenes. None of these can indicate time of occurrence. Obviously will be used to influence confessions and plea deals. The only true biological “identifier” would be DNA. https://www.nij.gov/topics/forensics/evidence/trace/Pages/forensic-identification-using-individual-chemical-signatures.aspx No high … Continue reading
Look at how well law enforcement manages forensic science -Secret hearings?
Here is how OK City handles its problems with DNA evidence in their crime lab and in high profile murder cases that are under appeal. A 2 hour pro prosecutorial soirree was in the judge’s chamber with the DNA lab … Continue reading
Todays Forensics from the TwitterVerse
Photocopies of forensic evidence precautions. Senior DA from Los Angeles gets caught intimidating police. Brave lady criminologist calls out JSessions’ cancelling of National Forensic Commission. New study looking into how jurors perceive forensic science. Belying the USDOJ laissez faire denial … Continue reading
More input from scientists taking up the torch for better forensics
More academic folks talking about all the reasons this blog was begun in 2014. They describe the climate and environment of the US criminal justice relationship with empirically tested science and wrongful convictions. Apparently my concerns about low quality, … Continue reading
WH Science Office in Trump’s Rearview mirror
Ole No 45 is barreling down the highway, all the while leaving wreckage in his path. The science side of the OSTP office that historically brought the WH the best of the best in science and science policy advice has … Continue reading
Science and non-forensic orgs talk about “independent forensic management”
This probably is largely just blowin’ in the wind. tRump seems more interested in personal gain and fame. This is a good overview of the coalescence of science and forensic types occurring since 45 took office. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/science-organizations-renew-call-for-independent-us-committee-on-forensics/2017/06/28/3ab8cdea-5b6a-11e7-9b7d-14576dc0f39d_story.html?utm_term=.1a1340ebc6dc
DNA rape kits left to rot in TX crime lab
Authorities promise no damage was one. Makes one wonder about any other biological evidence misdeeds lurking in the weeds. CSI never shows this side of police forensics. https://www.statesman.com/news/local/city-memo-mold-found-containers-about-850-austin-police-rape-kits/qEZ7rV5h3gnrcJPdJtMhjM/ http://kxan.com/2017/06/27/mold-found-on-hundreds-of-apd-dna-samples/ http://www.twcnews.com/tx/austin/news/2017/06/27/nearly-850-austin-police-rape-kits-found-with-mold.html
Taking hair comparisons to task in AZ – Should be 100’s of cases
In another whack at the Jeff Sessions version of the inviolate status of police ‘forensics’, this article brings to light, a coalition of AZ crime labbers, DAs, the appellate court and a post-conviction org. It’s obvious that there is some … Continue reading
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