Breath testing theory for ETOH is wrong and unscientific

Breath testing theory for ETOH is wrong and unscientific

In the above trailer for the movie Catch Me if You Can, Leonardo DiCaprio dawned the disguises of various professionals (e.g., pilot, banker, lawyer) to hide the fact that he was simply a teenager.  Initially, he made very modest claims, but as the movie progresses his hubris took control.  He made increasingly bold and increasingly […]

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 […]

Pattern Recognition is it Science or an Art?

Pattern Recognition is it Science or an Art?

We looked at the National Academy of Sciences body of work wherein it identified weaknesses in the way that forensic science in the United States is practiced.  One of the major areas that it focused on and ultimately took issue with concerned the body of forensic sciences loosely called pattern recognition. The basic pseudo-scientific principles […]

A Quick Summary of The National Academy of Sciences Report

A Quick Summary of The National Academy of Sciences Report

“Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward” was the end product of three (3) years of research and testimony taken by the Committee on Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Sciences Community and the Committee on Applied and Theoretical Statistics of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.  To […]

Crime Scene Examination:  Polar Coordinate System

Crime Scene Examination: Polar Coordinate System

Physical and forensic evidence, if properly preserved, collected, maintained, analyzed and reported often is the unimpeachable source of the truth.  Knowing this we also explored the theory of the Locard Exchange Principle and how “every contact leaves a trace” which leads us naturally to the need to properly secure the crime scene to avoid altering […]

Senate Judiciary Committee-Draft Outline of Forensic Science Reform Legislation

Senate Judiciary Committee-Draft Outline of Forensic Science Reform Legislation

It appears as if someone is listening in Congress.  On May 5, 2010, the Senate Judiciary Committee released a “Draft Outline of Forensic Reform Legislation.” In my opinion:  It is a good start, but with a target as big as a barn as identified painstakingly by the NAS report, the Senate Judiciary Committee seems to […]

What Attorneys Should Know About Significant Digits and Figures

What Attorneys Should Know About Significant Digits and Figures

Scientists should acknowledge the limitations of their method and the limitations of the results they are presenting up front and not wait for the defense to develop the concept (if they even know to do so). What should attorneys know about significant digits or figures? It is all about superfluous precision.  To a non-technical person, […]

Metrology and Reporting Uncertainty

Metrology and Reporting Uncertainty

On May 20 of each year is a great day celebrated all over the world as World Metrology Day.  Metrology is so very important in everything, but in forensic science it is fundamental.  In honor of that day and in advance of it to hopefully bring some awareness, I will examine Metrology in this post. […]