The Week 49 Forensic Science Geek of the Week is Announced!

The Forensic Science Geek of the Week

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Forensic Science Geek of the Week

The week 49 “www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week” honors goes to: Ronald Moore, Esquire.

 About our winner according to his website:

Mr. Moore received a BS in Biology from U.C. Riverside in 1988, a JD from Western State University College of Law in 2003, and  an AS in Culinary Arts from Saddleback College in 2009.

Ron worked as a Forensic Scientist at the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Forensic Science Services Laboratory from 1989 to 2007. During his tenure at the OC Crime Lab, he worked in Toxicology, Blood and Breath Alcohol, Drug Analysis, Firearm and Toolmark Examination, and Crime Scene Investigation. He completed his time at the lab with18 months supervising the Blood and Breath Alcohol sections. He is very familiar with the Intoxilyzer 5000, Datamaster, and Alco-Sensor IV breath testing instruments used during the years he was with the lab.  Mr. Moore testified for both the prosecution and defense in over 450 DUI cases, and in many major crime cases.  He assisted in the investigation of approximately 50 homicides and 25 officer involved shootings, attending and collecting evidence at over 100 autopsies.

Mr. Moore left the OC Crime Lab to enter private practice as an attorney and forensic scientist, practicing 3 years in Orange County and 6 months in Northern California. Mr. Moore now returns to the Orange County area and is affiliated with the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, Inc.

Congratulations to our Forensic Science Geek of the Week winner!

See the challenge question that our winner correctly answered.

OFFICIAL QUESTION:

Forensic Science Geek of the Week Challenge
Foren­sic Sci­ence Geek of the Week Challenge

1. Who is this?

2. What is his pri­mary area of research?

3. What has he developed?

4. What are the sci­en­tific crit­i­cisms of his work?

5. What are the legal crit­i­cisms of his work?

Our Geek of the Week answered:

This is Dr. Arpad Vass, a forensic anthropologist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He developed “decomposition odor analysis” which looks for the volatile components of decaying human flesh. He has used his technique in many high profile cases, but not always with success. When his instruments register a hit, it is not clear what that means, since sufficient research has not been done to determine if his odor profile is unique to human decomposition. As such,it may not be admissible in court, and could lead to unfounded suspicions.

[BLOGGER’S NOTE: Great answer. One of the major criticisms of his work is the lack of external validity. As he testified, he keeps his algorithms of his machine secret and therefore we all have to trust him that the results that he presents are in fact what occurred. As Attorney Moore noted there is also the issue of whether or not the results are truly specific to human decomposition at all. A good summary of some of the scientific issues surrounding odor can be found here The Science of Smell Part 3: Odor detection and measurement]

The Hall of Fame for the www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week:
Week 1: Chuck Ramsay, Esquire

Week 2: Rick McIndoe, PhD

Week 3: Christine Funk, Esquire

Week 4: Stephen Daniels

Week 5: Stephen Daniels

Week 6: Richard Middlebrook, Esquire

Week 7: Christine Funk, Esquire

Week 8: Ron Moore, B.S., J.D.

Week 9: Ron Moore, B.S., J.D.

Week 10: Kelly Case, Esquire and Michael Dye, Esquire

Week 11: Brian Manchester, Esquire

Week 12: Ron Moore, B.S., J.D.

Week 13: Ron Moore, B.S., J.D.

Week 14: Josh Lee, Esquire

Week 15: Joshua Dale, Esquire and Steven W. Hernandez, Esquire

Week 16: Christine Funk, Esquire

Week 17: Joshua Dale, Esquire

Week 18: Glen Neeley, Esquire

Week 19: Amanda Bynum, Esquire

Week 20: Josh Lee, Esquire

Week 21: Glen Neeley, Esquire

Week 22:  Stephen Daniels

Week 23:  Ron Moore, B.S., J.D.

Week 24: Bobby Spinks

Week 25:  Jon Woolsey, Esquire

Week 26: Mehul B. Anjaria

Week 27: Richard Middlebrook, Esquire

Week 28:Ron Moore, Esquire

Week 29: Ron Moore, Esquire

Week 30: C. Jeffrey Sifers, Esquire

Week 31: Ron Moore, Esquire

Week 32: Mehul B. Anjaria

Week 33: Andy Johnston

Week 34: Ralph R. Ristenbatt, III

Week 35: Brian Manchester, Esquire

Week 36: Ron Moore, Esquire

Week 37: Jeffrey Benson

Week 38: Pam King, Esquire

Week 39: Josh Lee, Esquire

Week 40: Robert Lantz, Ph.D.

WEEK 41: UNCLAIMED, IT COULD BE YOU!

Week 42: Steven W. Hernandez, Esquire

Week 43:Ron Moore, Esquire

Week 44: Mehul B. Anjaria

Week 45: Mehul B. Anjaria

Week 46:Ron Moore, Esquire

Week 47:Ron Moore, Esquire

Week 47:Ron Moore, Esquire

Week 48: Leslie M. Sammis, Esquire

Week 49: Ron Moore, Esquire

Week 50: Jeffery Benson

Week 51: Mehul B. Anjaria

Week 52: Ron Moore, Esquire

Week 53: Eric Ganci, Esquire

Week 54: Charles Sifers, Esquire and Tim Huey, Esquire

Week 55: Joshua Andor, Esquire

Week 56: Brian Manchester, Esquire

Week 57: Ron Moore, Esquire

Week 58: Eric Ganci, Esquire

Week 59: Ron Moore, Esquire

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