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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
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
Posted in Bad Forensic Science, Forensic Science, Forensic Science Bias, junk forensic science
Tagged AAFS, ABFO, American Academy of Forensic Science, AMERICAN BOARD OF FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY, Bad forensic science, bite marks, bitemark, Bitemarks, California Innocence Project, Claim of Innocence, crime labs, Criminal Justice, district attorney, DNA profiling, Exculpatory Evidence, exoneration, expert witnesses, falsified evidence, FBI Crime Lab, forensic dentistry, forensic examiner error, Forensic science, forensic testimony, innocence project, junk forensic science, junk science, Miscarriage of justice, misidentification, National Commission on Forensic Science, National Institute of Justice, prosecutorial misconduct, wrongful convictions
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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