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BS & forensics

By Karl R. Keys, Esq.

One of the great tragedies of the American legal system is the the science of forensics doesn’t receive enough time, money and research. Ditto forensic labs. As Gideon notes: The NAS just called ?bullshit? on many of the forensic techniques used in labs across the country, ranging from fingerprint, blood splatter, hair, arson and fiber analysis to bullet comparisons. The only technique escaping this harsh critique is DNA analysis, which has been the subject of voluminous study and testing. The report [executive summary] finds fault with almost all aspects of forensic science: from the lack of standards and scientific scrutiny of ?accepted? techniques like bitemarks to a lack of any uniform certification standards.

Full post as published by Capital Defense Weekly on February 19, 2009 (boomark / email).