The recent revelation surrounding the conduct of former forensic scientist Yvonne “Missy” Woods at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sent shockwaves through the legal community. An extensive internal affairs investigation uncovered a troubling pattern of data manipulation and omission spanning nearly three decades, casting a shadow of doubt over the integrity of forensic […]
The Use of NSA Intelligence in Criminal Prosecutions: Legality and Limitations
The National Security Agency (NSA) has been involved in various surveillance programs over the years, some of which have involved monitoring of US citizens. Here is an outline of some of the more well-known programs: PRISM: This program, which began in 2007, involved the collection of data from major technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, […]
USADA presents at the ACS National Meeting about Doping in Sports
USADA presents at the ACS National Meeting about Doping in Sports On March 23, 2015, Attorneys Justin J. McShane of The McShane Firm, LLC and Josh D. Lee of Ward, Lee and Coats moderated a symposium at the national American Chemical Society meeting in Denver, Colorado. The symposium concerned the chemistry and the law […]
DOJ does a 180 and puts discovery back into discussion for the NIST/DOJ National Commission on Forensic Science
In a dramatic turn of events as covered here in Federal Judge resigns from National Commission on Forensic Science and The Jed Rakoff and Matt Redle, co-chairs, Subcommittee on Reporting and Testimony Memo, US Senior District Judge Jed Rakoff resigned in protest from the National Commission on Forensic Science over the DOJ veto wielded by […]
The Jed Rakoff and Matt Redle, co-chairs, Subcommittee on Reporting and Testimony Memo
Breaking news I just received a copy of the joint memorandum that was co-authored by the Honorable Jed S. Rakoff and Matt Redle, co-chairs, Subcommittee on Reporting and Testimony that was forwarded to Brette Steele, Senior Advisor on Forensic Science and Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General. What strikes me on my first reading […]
Federal Judge resigns from National Commission on Forensic Science
The sole federal judge appointed to the NIST/DOJ National Commission on Forensic Science has resigned in protest, according to his reported email, over what he feels is inappropriate attempt by the Department of Justice to restrict the scope of the Commission. In the resignation, Judge Rakoff makes very apt observations that highlight the defect in […]
If true, this “Professor” Shawn Parcells = Poster Child For Forensic Reform
We have blogged on here a lot about the need for forensic science reform and how the current state of forensic science with no meaningful oversight is not unlike the Wild Wild West. Consider this reporting from CNN. If these claims of CNN turn out to be true, it is just amazing. Perhaps we have […]
Be careful of who your coach is: Lawyers teaching science to other lawyers
[10/16/2014 Second update: NCDD Regent Don Ramsell has taken down his ad hominem attack, but the error on the NCDD website and its quiz still exists. Now in a bizarre attempt to re-frame the quiz, he explains what I can only assume that he meant for the quiz to mean (as a trained lawyer, he […]
Justice, the Queen of Virtues? or Validation and Quality Assurance, the Queen of Virtues: Columbia South Carolina Police Department Crime Lab
Justice, the Queen of Virtues? or Validation and Quality Assurance, the Queen of Virtues: Columbia South Carolina Police Department Crime Lab It is perhaps ironic that Columbia, South Carolina’s police department’s patch boldly states the city’s motto: “Justitia virtutum regina” which translates to “Justice, the Queen of Virtues.” Is there justice when people are wrongly […]
More information on the Cameron Todd Willingham Case
To inspire fierce and vitriolic debate in the legal-forensic community, all one has to do is to mention the name Cameron Todd Willingham. We have blogged on the case and other arson cases before: Fire Whisperers-the Story of Bad Arson Investigation In full disclosure this office and myself personally am litigating a “bad arson science […]
More problems in crime labs: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (“OCME”) Controlled Substances Unit (“OCME-CSU” or “CSU”)
Delaware State Police (“DSP”) and the Delaware Department of Justice (“DDOJ”) initiated an investigation of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (“OCME”) Controlled Substances Unit (“OCME-CSU” or “CSU”). According to this news story, there were lots of problems found. June 19, 2014 Report shows flaws within Delaware drug lab By Shana O’Malley New details […]
The McShane Firm | DUI Lawyers
Pennsylvania DUI Blog