Unveiling the Systemic Issues Plaguing Forensic Science: A Deep Dive into the Colorado Bureau of Investigation Case

The recent revelation surrounding the conduct of former forensic scientist Yvonne “Missy” Woods at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sent shockwaves through the legal community. An extensive internal affairs investigation uncovered a troubling pattern of data manipulation and omission spanning nearly three decades, casting a shadow of doubt over the integrity of forensic […]

The Use of NSA Intelligence in Criminal Prosecutions: Legality and Limitations

The National Security Agency (NSA) has been involved in various surveillance programs over the years, some of which have involved monitoring of US citizens. Here is an outline of some of the more well-known programs: PRISM: This program, which began in 2007, involved the collection of data from major technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, […]

USADA presents at the ACS National Meeting about Doping in Sports

USADA presents at the ACS National Meeting about Doping in Sports

USADA presents at the ACS National Meeting about Doping in Sports   On March 23, 2015, Attorneys Justin J. McShane of The McShane Firm, LLC and Josh D. Lee of Ward, Lee and Coats moderated a symposium at the national American Chemical Society meeting in Denver, Colorado. The symposium concerned the chemistry and the law […]

DOJ does a 180 and puts discovery back into discussion for the NIST/DOJ  National Commission on Forensic Science

DOJ does a 180 and puts discovery back into discussion for the NIST/DOJ National Commission on Forensic Science

In a dramatic turn of events as covered here in Federal Judge resigns from National Commission on Forensic Science and The Jed Rakoff and Matt Redle, co-chairs, Subcommittee on Reporting and Testimony Memo, US Senior District Judge Jed Rakoff resigned in protest from the National Commission on Forensic Science over the DOJ veto wielded by […]

The Jed Rakoff and Matt Redle, co-chairs, Subcommittee on Reporting and Testimony Memo

Breaking news I just received a copy of the joint memorandum that was co-authored by the Honorable Jed S. Rakoff and Matt Redle, co-chairs, Subcommittee on Reporting and Testimony that was forwarded to Brette Steele, ‎Senior Advisor on Forensic Science and Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General. What strikes me on my first reading […]

Federal Judge resigns from National Commission on Forensic Science

The sole federal judge appointed to the NIST/DOJ  National Commission on Forensic Science has resigned in protest, according to his reported email, over what he feels is inappropriate attempt by the Department of Justice to restrict the scope of the Commission. In the resignation, Judge Rakoff makes very apt observations that highlight the defect in […]

Justice, the Queen of Virtues? or Validation and Quality Assurance, the Queen of Virtues: Columbia South Carolina Police Department Crime Lab

Justice, the Queen of Virtues? or Validation and Quality Assurance, the Queen of Virtues: Columbia South Carolina Police Department Crime Lab

Justice, the Queen of Virtues? or Validation and Quality Assurance, the Queen of Virtues: Columbia South Carolina Police Department Crime Lab It is perhaps ironic that Columbia, South Carolina’s police department’s patch boldly states the city’s motto: “Justitia virtutum regina” which translates to “Justice, the Queen of Virtues.” Is there justice when people are wrongly […]

More information on the Cameron Todd Willingham Case

More information on the Cameron Todd Willingham Case

To inspire fierce and vitriolic debate in the legal-forensic community, all one has to do is to mention the name Cameron Todd Willingham. We have blogged on the case and other arson cases before: Fire Whisperers-the Story of Bad Arson Investigation In full disclosure this office and myself personally am litigating a “bad arson science […]

More problems in crime labs: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (“OCME”) Controlled Substances Unit (“OCME-CSU” or “CSU”)

More problems in crime labs: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (“OCME”) Controlled Substances Unit (“OCME-CSU” or “CSU”)

Delaware State Police (“DSP”) and the Delaware Department of Justice (“DDOJ”) initiated an investigation of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (“OCME”) Controlled Substances Unit (“OCME-CSU” or “CSU”). According to this news story, there were lots of problems found. June 19, 2014 Report shows flaws within Delaware drug lab By Shana O’Malley New details […]