Tag Archives: Forensic science

Forensics : Research suggests that bitemarks used to prosecute in child abuse cases have lower pattern details than those bites seen in wrongful convictions.

(updated 2:16pm 7-17-2014) Research on bitemark opinions: Bites on kids have lower pattern details than in bites used in wrongful convictions used by prosecutors. Authored by myself and Professor Iain Pretty. It was published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences … Continue reading

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The Forensic Science Weekly: The strange, disturbing and “appalling.”

When the “elite” of the FBI fall from “grace.” Op-ed. I might also used the term “arrogant.” A recent news release states a new law enforcement think-tank-forensic-institute will “shore-up” hair comparisons and bitemarks.” This totally ignores the physical limitations of hair … Continue reading

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Politicos start talking about flawed forensic sciences

Five US Senators weigh into flawed forensic methods exemplified by the FBI hair comparison fiasco. More. US Senate hearing on backlogged rape kits. $1B spent so far over ten years, the end is still not in sight. More.  Sweat from … Continue reading

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Forensics: In South Africa its “CSI bunk”, in Great Britain its “flaws” and “crisis” | Boston has paid out $36M for mostly bad policing

The “CSI Effect” discussed in the Republic of South Africa. Judge’s opine is that wrongful convictions should be studied for faulty forensic methods within the criminal justice system. Says judges should study fingerprint analysis. Author says defenants cannot afford to … Continue reading

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Forensics: More disputes within another DNA crime lab | Its police managers vs lab scientists again

Nothing describes the police/forensic science interface better than this short article primarily about the reinstatement of a lab technician after taking responsibility for leaking a DNA proficiency test to 12 other colleagues. These same 12 still remain suspended. After that … Continue reading

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What makes for wrong convictions? Data for believers of “near perfect” forensics in US courts

  Updated graphs of investigation and prosecution contribution factors  in nearly 1600 exonerations proved by the National Registry of Exonerations.  (wait a bit for download, scroll down for other stats). Look for GREEN: False or Misleading Forensic Evidence 23% 363/1597 Look … Continue reading

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Forensics revisionist talks to crimelabs about “some” 1200 exonerations as “innocence fraud.”

added 12-1-2016: we can now add the President’s Council on Sci Tech’s forecast of future directions needed within most crime lab methods. Once again the law enforcement “communities” choked on 178 pg report. That would be the FBI, US DOJ, … Continue reading

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J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI legacy. What a veteran FBI crime lab whistle blower says about the “science” in forensics

J. Edgar Hoover’s legacy of “we always get our man” has a dark side. Dr. Frederick Whitehurst explains in this piece that, gut feelings, amateur research, cultural expediency and arrogance has been in the FBI’s DNA for decades. The Marshal Project … Continue reading

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FORENSIC SCIENCE CONTINUES TO GET HAMMERED IN THE MEDIA : Now its DNA in DC

I have been following this for a while. Things seems very unsettled at the new (2012) independent crime lab in the District of Columbia. After another audit, DNA lab work at DC crime lab is now suspended for 30 days … Continue reading

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A cure for Junk Science? US Forensic Sci Commission allows access to draft recommends. Wants public feedback by MAY 15

Please peruse the NCFS portal link where such things as “forensic reform” of forensic ethics, forensic testimony language, rules of forensic discovery, etc are available via links. This is a total data dump forcing public “stake-holders” to wade into this package … Continue reading

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