One of the most universally recognized sculptures in the world is “David” shown on the left. But do you know the story behind it? Did you know that the famous depiction of David as crafted by the great Michelangelo is a depiction immediately before his battle with Goliath where David is frozen in time at […]
When civil law holds up the organic progression of science
One of my most comforting thoughts comes from the following quote I once heard: Over the long term science is self-correcting Another one that I like is: The free, unhampered exchange of ideas and scientific conclusions is necessary for the sound development of Science, as it is in all spheres of life.’ (Albert Einstein, 1952) […]
Hidden sources of error in forensic science
“It’s the little things that kill”–Bush OK… The band Bush may not be the greatest rock band ever, but their lyric above is indeed remarkable. In forensic science, it is very true that it is the little things that kill. Three of the most often overlooked and hidden sources of analytical error are the “little […]
Government run Crime Labs are never wrong
It never happens, right? Crime labs cannot be wrong. There is no need to be professionally scientifically skeptical as to the reported test results of a crime lab, right? We should always trust the government because, after all, they’re here to do good, right? Right? WRONG! As my great friend and Minnesota criminal trial attorney […]
Will US Courts Wake Up and Look at Bad Forensic Science?
It was once said that science over the long term is self-correcting. Too bad law isn’t. But there is hope. There is at least one jurist who cares. US District Court Judge Nancy Gertner has issued a standing order for all prosecutors and defenders who come before her. She has ordered that they not assume […]
Bayesian Based Metrology and DNA
A great friend and colleague of mine from Maryland recently had a trial involving mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that was used to “not exclude” his client as the donor of a particular hair found within the duct tape used to fashion a home-made silencer used to kill a lady. Leaving the use of mtDNA alone for […]
The use of “loaded” language in the Courtroom and in forensic science
Just two days ago we examined the use of the word “match” and how it is a fungible concept and its use is devoid of any sort of scientific merit. So this makes for a obvious question, what other language is used in the courtroom that evokes the same idea of expressing a matter beyond […]
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 […]
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