What else smells like marijuana? Is “smells like marijuana” a valid perception by police?

What else smells like marijuana? Is “smells like marijuana” a valid perception by police?

On October 29, 2014, in Forensic Discipline, Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

Judge: “What else smells like marijuana, counsel?” Attorney: “Is ‘smells like marijuana’ a valid perception by police?” The problem is that “smells like marijuana” reports are entirely an unverifiable subjective opinion. It is unverifiable because even if marijuana is found that might be a function of random chance as opposed to olfactory detection. Smell is […]

CODIS, NDIS, SDIS, Familial Searching (Partial Match and moderate stringency) and Arrestee and Offender Database Searches versus expungment

CODIS, NDIS, SDIS, Familial Searching (Partial Match and moderate stringency) and Arrestee and Offender Database Searches versus expungment

On October 23, 2014, in DNA, by Justin J. McShane

Are results expunged from the CODIS or SDIS databases and why should I care one way or another? Maybe you are like me. I like it when crimes are solved. I like it when the true perpetrator is arrested, fairly tried and convicted. I like that there are prisons to house the truly dangerous. But […]

210 Graduates in 40 states: Congratulations to the Graduates of ACS Gas Chromatography 12

210 Graduates in 40 states: Congratulations to the Graduates of ACS Gas Chromatography 12

On October 18, 2014, in Announcements, by Justin J. McShane

Congratulations to the graduates of the 12th class of the American Chemical Society Hands-on Gas Chromatography class. This makes for 210 graduates in 40 states.   Today’s graduates include: First name Last Name State Tim Bussey CO Gregory Willis GA Thomas Addair KS John Thurston KS Barton Morris MI Neil Rockind MI Steven Hernandez NJ […]

The myth of “therapuetic range,” “cookie cutter pharmacology,” and why DUID Impairment cases remind me of Forrest Gump

The myth of “therapuetic range,” “cookie cutter pharmacology,” and why DUID Impairment cases remind me of Forrest Gump

On October 3, 2014, in Pharmacology, by Justin J. McShane

There is a myth among prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges that is propagated time and again all over courtrooms in the US that involves the idea of “therapeutic ranges” when it comes to DUID cases and prescribed drugs. The notion is that there is a one-size fits all chart that we can all refer to […]