Tag Archives: Radley Balko

See how long it takes to shutdown junk “science.” A century in some cases.

The Washington Post’s ongoing series about forensic experts’ decades of conniving within the state of Mississippi’s death investigation industry should be considered for a collective Pulitzer Prize. For the past ten years, we’ve seen the misuse of such forensic subjects as … Continue reading

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The odd “reform” coexistence of law enforcement, criminal justice and private forensic orgs

Taking some joy out of Xmas, the Wash Post columnist Radley Balko draws out the pattern of current forensic events focusing on methods review into a broader question. How difficult is it to change multi-governmental institutional culture? He describes how the … Continue reading

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Forensics: What’s the world coming to? Now the FBI is saying their DNA lab calculations since 1999 are incorrect?

The tainted atmosphere surrounding forensic science in general and specifically in regards to the devastating FBI faux pas from their elite hair people is still bouncing around the media-verse. With that still happening,  the FBI now says their DNA population … Continue reading

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Forensics in Focus – “Crime lab whistleblowers” and……. -May 22, 2014

PowerPlex 21 DNA test to review cold cases. “Too prevent escalating costs.” New Commission to Regulate Prosecutorial Misconduct . Forensic science? Testimony from “dog scent lineup” sent woman to prison for crime she didn’t commit.  Asset forfeiture for college student pot … Continue reading

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Based on a notorius bitemark case: CA legislation plans to reject use of junk and outdated forensics in court @csidds

Radley Balko at the Washington Post’s “The Watch” announces California Senate Bill (SB1048) intent to direct the courts to consider scientific progress and reject junk opinions of debunked forensic methods and prosecutorial bias favoring “finality of verdicts.” He speaks to the … Continue reading

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Bias in Forensic Science: Affirmed and described by another retired forensic scientist | Forensics in Focus @csidds | April 1

The “new topic” of undue influence and cognitive bias (its been around for decades mostly from outside the insular forensic community) by forensic examiners gets some air in this editorial by a retired senior scientist from a Los Angeles crime lab. … Continue reading

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Forensics in Focus | March 24. |

Forensics In Focus @csidds for March 24, 2014 Radley Balko takes the stage with his ‘Morning Links” at Washington Post’s’ “The Watch.” He hits on criminal justice, MRAPS for local law enforcement, and one more amazing forensic related fact. As … Continue reading

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Press Release | Forensic Science Misconduct: A Dark and Cautionary Tale | @csidds

Don’t expect a “whodunnit” version of CSI victories in this Op-ed blog article about a darker side of the forensic sciences. It is from an author with ample forensic credentials and experience from both within and outside criminal courts of … Continue reading

Posted in Bad Forensic Science, criminal justice, CSI, Forensic Science, forensic testimony, junk forensic science, Wrongful Conviction | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Forensic Science Misconduct: A Dark Cautionary Tale @csidds

Let’s start with  a quick review of a few cases related to the subject of  forensic science failure and accompanying misconduct (Section 1). This  involves law enforcement officers, CSIs, prosecutors and prosecutorial experts in the multiple criminal justice systems: All … Continue reading

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Forensics in Focus @csidds | March 10 | very eclectic list today

March 10, 2014 Forensics in Focus  Don’t forget I tweet @csidds on all sorts of issues and events. FORENSICS: National disaster of untested rape kits. Celebrity interest in this forensic disaster that affects thousands and thousand of crime victims FORENSICS: MN. … Continue reading

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