Should Toxicologists Be Part of the “Prosecution Team”?

Should Toxicologists Be Part of the “Prosecution Team”?

Should Toxicologists Be Part of the “Prosecution Team”? At this year’s AAFS meeting, Chuck Hayes of the International Association of the Chiefs of Police gave a thought provoking presentation about the DRE program in the Toxicology Section. I was there in person. It was entitled “Re-examining the ‘Three Legged Stool’ Approach to Deterring Drugged Driving.” […]

The Charles Smith Blog reports on the handwriting examination section of the Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory closing

The Charles Smith Blog reports on the handwriting examination section of the Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory closing

I have been a long time fan of The Charles Smith Blog. It is firmly rooted in my Feedly RSS reader. It should be one of your regulars too. It always provides for great summaries of the forensic science stories that are in the news. For example here is his great treatment on the closing […]

What is the relevant scientific community for the Drug Recognition Expert?

What is the relevant scientific community for the Drug Recognition Expert?

What is the relevant scientific community for the Drug Recognition Expert? I, like an astonishing 500 million people, have a Facebook profile. I primarily use it to connect with friends and colleagues. I like it a lot. One day, Facebook suggested that I try to join the group DrugRecognitionExpert. The page states: Simply, this Facebook-based […]

Cognitive Bias Redux

Cognitive Bias Redux

I read a very interesting article on bias. As we have discussed before bias permeates all forms of science and in particular forensic science. It provoked some thoughts. I wanted to pass it along in homes it might   The Trouble With “Limitations” In Science By Neuroskeptic | May 16, 2013 4:09 pm Is it always good […]

Eyewitness identification: Why do people get it wrong

Eyewitness identification: Why do people get it wrong

I just watched a TED talk that I liked a lot. I thought I would share it with you. Enjoy, I did. Scott Fraser studies how humans remember crimes — and bear witness to them. In this powerful talk, which focuses on a deadly shooting at sunset, he suggests that even close-up eyewitnesses to a […]

Guest Blog Post From Dr. Frederic Whitehurst PhD JD: Of moos and clucks-the myth of FTIR identification

Guest Blog Post From Dr. Frederic Whitehurst PhD JD: Of moos and clucks-the myth of FTIR identification

Of moos and clucks-the myth of FTIR identification By:  Frederic Whitehurst, J.D., Ph.D. [1] OK, so we will now discuss moos and clucks. Which is the basis for the problem with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) in forensic science. [2] If you close your eyes in a stock yard you can’t tell what moo came […]

Guest Blog Post From Dr. Frederic Whitehurst PhD JD: Circuitous thought-the myth of reliable and valid marijuana identification in the courtroom

Guest Blog Post From Dr. Frederic Whitehurst PhD JD: Circuitous thought-the myth of reliable and valid marijuana identification in the courtroom

Circuitous thought-the myth of reliable and valid marijuana identification in the courtroom By:  Frederic Whitehurst, J.D., Ph.D. [1] As scientists we all agree that the hallmarks of science are validity and reliability. What do we mean by that? Well, the government scientist has to agree that his method of answering a question put to him […]

The myth of the neutral scientist doing forensic science

The myth of the neutral scientist doing forensic science

One of the most ridiculous claims that I hear in court is a claim by a forensic technician or expert witness (regardless of what particular discipline he or she is from) that somehow he or she is a neutral and detached scientist doing science, and therefore he or she has no bias whatsoever. This total […]

Guest Blog Post From Dr. Frederic Whitehurst PhD JD: Forensic Science “Matches”-The Case of Black Powder

Guest Blog Post From Dr. Frederic Whitehurst PhD JD: Forensic Science “Matches”-The Case of Black Powder

Forensic Science “Matches”-The Case of Black Powder By:  Frederic Whitehurst, J.D., Ph.D. [1] While reviewing case opinions in criminal matters involving forensic examinations one is often presented with various adjectives of comparison such as “matches,” “consistent with,” and “identical to.” Counsel seeing these adjectives in forensic reports may be elated if legal theories are supported […]

Why not stipulate to a forensic science result?

Why not stipulate to a forensic science result?

I was recently asked a question which is basically this: “Justin, why don’t you stipulate to any forensic science result ever?” My answer is simple. I haven’t found a single analytical test or a single forensic science result that does not have some area of legitimate inquiry whether it is in the data (the test […]