Cognitive Bias Redux

Cognitive Bias Redux

I read a very interesting article on bias. As we have discussed before bias permeates all forms of science and in particular forensic science. It provoked some thoughts. I wanted to pass it along in homes it might   The Trouble With “Limitations” In Science By Neuroskeptic | May 16, 2013 4:09 pm Is it always good […]

Happy World Metrology Day!

Happy World Metrology Day!

May 20th every year is a rocking day. Know why? It’s World Metrology Day! Celebrate by checking out of metrology related posts. And celebrate today by only accepting valid measurements. According to www.worldmetrologyday.org Welcome to the 2013 World Metrology Day web site. This year, the theme is “Measurements in daily life” – again we have chosen a […]

The Forensic Lab Worker Retirement Plan Again: Screw up Tests, Skip Steps…. Retirement Life

The Forensic Lab Worker Retirement Plan Again: Screw up Tests, Skip Steps…. Retirement Life

Ahh yes. It’s time for our latest edition of “Lifestyles of the Newly Retired.” Here is another example of the greatest retirement plan in all of government. If you do bad science, with potential false convictions or undue exonerations, you are tampering with evidence. In all 50 states and in the federal system, tampering with […]

Chemical Measurement Process and The Calibration Function: How to best calibrate an instrument used in forensic science

Chemical Measurement Process and The Calibration Function: How to best calibrate an instrument used in forensic science

The technical goal of any calibration related effort is t0 achieve a meaningful and valid CMP. According to The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC): Chemical Measurement Process (CMP): An analytical method of defined structure that has been brought into a state of statistical control, such that its imprecision and bias are fixed, […]

Retention of Biological Samples: In a DUI case, how long is long enough?

Retention of Biological Samples: In a DUI case, how long is long enough?

Suppose the following: You are driving home. You get stopped by the police. You are arrested for DUI. You are requested and give a sample of your blood. The blood goes to a laboratory and is analyzed. The results get transmitted to the police a few days later. The  police type it up a few […]

Chain of Custody of Biological Evidence: Garbage In = Garbage Out

Chain of Custody of Biological Evidence: Garbage In = Garbage Out

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men Couldn’t put Humpty together again In essence, this is the view held by The Technical Working Group on Biological Evidence Preservation in its publication entitled “The Biological Evidence Preservation Handbook: Best Practices for Evidence […]

Marijuana Field Test False Positive Leads to SWAT-style Raid of Innocent Home Owner’s Basement Lawful Tomato Growing

Marijuana Field Test False Positive Leads to SWAT-style Raid of Innocent Home Owner’s Basement Lawful Tomato Growing

I’ll just let this one speak for itself…. Marijuana Field Test False Positive Leads to SWAT-style Raid of Innocent Home Owner’s Basement Lawful Tomato Growing Leawood family gets some answers about marijuana raid Bob Harte says police saw them buying hydroponic system for indoor garden LEAWOOD, Kan. —A Leawood family tried for more than a […]

Roadside breath testing for drugs?

Roadside breath testing for drugs?

There is little doubt that there is a research push for roadside testing for screening purposes for drugs of abuse and illicit drugs. All one needs to do is to come to any national or regional forensic science meeting or pull the various agendas to see what is being discussed. It’s oral fluid roadside testing […]