Tag Archives: forensic testimony

More scapegoat activities in forensics: DAs who hate old DNA : a Medical Examiner with x-ray vision

NEWS BREAK: Another Forensic Scapegoat case. Last December, New York State Police forensic scientists were accused of cheating on a yet unused DNA software exam. The test maker had encouraged takers to confer during the test prep stage which included … Continue reading

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Forensics: A BIG dust up in AUSTRALIA over 400 opines of a state Medical Examiner

This all started with a recent judicial (last year) opinion on a 20 year-old case dealing with “murder in a bathtub.” The government’s path guy, Dr. Colin Manock, got clobbered in a book about this case and which seems to … Continue reading

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Philippine Forensics: Dust-up over 1995 manner of death of a US Naval Officer

The officer’s family disputes suicide findings of multiple US and Phil criminal investigators. They brought in a “US forensic expert” who has an interesting pedigree. I wonder how much he charged the family for services? Full article A massive PR piece … Continue reading

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Why a city auditor wants a crime lab “independent” from his local Denver police department

After singing its praises, Denver City Auditor suggests moving crime lab Maybe this Denver city administrator is reading the forensic news. He talks about the public’s trust and new forensic “sophistication.” A very well-crafted statement. “This recommendation is in no … Continue reading

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Update on ‘Baby Tyler’ Iowa death case. Crime fighting in the UK and AU comes up zip

  Update: A classic example of legal/forensic relationship disharmony. Here are issue clarifications and further discussion from earlier CSIDDS blogs about an Iowa state medical examiner court hearing and trial testimony about cause and manner of death in a murder case. … Continue reading

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There are some problems with India’s Forensic System : Bitemarks

This is awful. There were 4 suspects involved in a rape. One female. This policeman was identified from this bitemark. The rape was reported 15 days after the event. Conclusions are: “The victim’s statement and the corroborative scientific evidence ( … Continue reading

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The “Reverse CSI Effect” and imperfect aspects of LCN DNA ignored ; The Marshall Project

The best journalism on this subject I have so far seen in print. From the Marshall Project Comments: It describes the influence of DNA popularity with juries juries amounting to I call a “Reverse CSI Effect.” The original CSI effect (according … Continue reading

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A parable for battling forensic experts : Albert Einstein’s “stalker” named Philipp Lenard

Read about Einstein vs. Lenard at the The Raw Story This has a forensic ‘science’ connection, from a historical POV of long ago, but this quote………… “The story of Philipp Lenard reminds us that even scientists of the very highest caliber sometimes … Continue reading

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#Forensics : See how the monolithic US legal system responds to changes in DNA statistics

See a very complete analysis of the facts and the aftermath of the FBI crime lab recent revision of  its pop stats on DNA RMPs in this attached article. This is the classic example of forensic science updates that may/may … Continue reading

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Examples where Forensic language and the media lead to misinformation and confusion for juries.

How things have changed? The term “similar’ used in fiber analysis case. http://www.forensicmag.com/news/2015/06/forensic-scientist-testifies-fibers-victims-hair-similar-distant-carpet But then another case uses “unique” to describe a broken car headlight. http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/forensic-expert-certain-car-on-cctv-belonged-to-sheffield-man-accused-of-murder-1-7305526 What the “CSI effect looks like on “Bones” TV show. Accuracy in forensics not a … Continue reading

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