Interpretation of Gunshot Wounds:  Validated Science or Forensic Alchemy

Interpretation of Gunshot Wounds: Validated Science or Forensic Alchemy

The following is a brief summary of the modern explanation of gunshot wounds according to the proponents of interpreting gunshot wounds (GSW).  After you read this, you draw your own conclusions as to whether or not this is empirical or more towards the subjective or non-validated. Gunshot Wounds:  A summary form a pathology textbook In […]

Ballistics and Anthropometry:  It’s all about the angles

Ballistics and Anthropometry: It’s all about the angles

Continuing with our theme of exposing limitations of previously held forensic science practices, today’s post centers around the applied science of anthropometry and bullet trajectory. The term “ballistics” has a specialized definition in the forensic field.  The term is not synonymous with the concepts of toolmark identification.  Instead, Ballistics is the science of mechanics that […]

What constitutes a “match” in forensic science?

What constitutes a “match” in forensic science?

The concept of a match at first look blush seems rather elemental.  However, if we really were to think of it, the concept is indeed fungible.  In forensic science, there is no universally held definition across all disciplines or even within a disciple as to what constitutes sufficient similarity to evoke that coveted and magic […]

Forensic firearm and toolmark analysis is unscientific

Forensic firearm and toolmark analysis is unscientific

There is an joke in the criminal defense bar…. Q:  What does forensic firearm and toolmark analysis have in common with interpretive dance? A:  They are both totally subjective with no universal or applied method to determine the quality of the results. Why:  You see when it comes to this form of pattern recognition, meaning […]