The above is Part Thirteen from a lecture given by Attorney Justin J. McShane before the North Carolina Advocates for Justice “Advanced DWI Seminar”. This seminar happened on February 26, 2010. It was organized and hosted by John K. Fanney, Esquire of Fanney & Jackson, P.C. The following is a transcript of this video: In […]
Excercise of Discretion: Sampling versus Sample Selection
One of the most shocking aspects of forensic science to me as I am not a scientist is the amount of discretion and choice that is exercised by the forensic analyst. One of these areas is the difference between sampling and sample selection. A good analogy to use is to suppose that you are tasked […]
Lecture on Analytical Chemistry in BAC testing Part 12
The above is Part Twelve from a lecture given by Attorney Justin J. McShane before the North Carolina Advocates for Justice “Advanced DWI Seminar”. This seminar happened on February 26, 2010. It was organized and hosted by John K. Fanney, Esquire of Fanney & Jackson, P.C. The following is a transcript of this video: You […]
What I don’t understand: Why I can’t get discovery
A very frequent refrain when it comes to forensic science laden cases among Defense attorneys is that they cannot get discovery in a meaningful way. In general, the discovery process is the exchange of information from the prosecuting agency to defendant’s counsel. There is the requirement that prosecutors give over to defense counsel all exculpatory […]
Honorificabilitudinitatibus or a Faux Scientist
Honorificabilitudinitatibus literally means “loaded with honors”. Its modern etymology and usage comes from William Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost by Costard in Act V, Scene I. In forensic science as practiced in the United States, there are few legitimate Honorificabilitudinitatibus and many faux scientists. One of the scams that will help you tell between the few […]
Everyone needs a little inspiration
“And that’s the terrible myth of organized society, that everything that’s done through the established system is legal and that word has a powerful psychological impact. It makes people believe that there is an order to life, and an order to a system, and that a person that goes through this order and is convicted, […]
Fire Whisperers-the Story of Bad Arson Investigation
You have heard of the myth of the Horse Whisper, right? Heck Hollywood even made a movie about it. Robert Redford was a horse trainer who could whisper and talk with the horses. They would listen and communicate with him. Pretty fantastic stuff! There has also been the “Dog Whisperer” which is a TV series […]
DNA Contamination that is amazing!
This is the Phantom of Heilbronn. The Phantom of Heilbronn was thought of as the most prolific murderer who was allegedly responsible for a whole rash of crimes from murder to burglary. Quite a busy person. So, busy that the Phantom was all across Europe doing what the Phantom does, I suppose, which is getting […]
Another example of flat out bad forensic science: Bad DNA results
In prior posts we discussed our forensic science wall of shame. Urine testing ain’t worth piss Government run Crime Labs are never wrong Now, we have to add this one to the ranks… Errors lead to firing of OSBI DNA analyst This article is is so remarkable that it earns its own post. Why? While […]
Pseudoscientists and snake oil salesmen in modern forensic science
Snake oil salesmen The term originally came from the 19th century where unethical and unscrupulous vendors hyped up elixirs and potions that were touted and sold as magic cure-alls. The claims of magic-like restorative properties were hyped up to a frenzied crowd, which bought the elixirs and potions en masse only to later find the […]
The choices we all face in forensic science
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 […]
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