Some random thoughts on forensic science

Some random thoughts on forensic science

On August 30, 2012, in DNA, Ethics, Ethics: Scientist, General Information, In The Courtroom, Lectures, Standards, by Justin J. McShane

While at the ACS press conference last week, I was asked by an international reporter my thoughts on the current state of affairs in Forensic Science by a Brazilian science reporter. I wanted to share my answers with you all and see if there are different points of view that may be out there. So […]

Another thought about t0-olympic style

Another thought about t0-olympic style

On August 2, 2012, in Chemistry, GC-FID & GC/MS, Identification, by Justin J. McShane

We have blogged before about t0 and the importance of knowing when it is in terms of retention time when we go to evaluate forensic chromatography results. You can read it again here: The importance of t0 in forensic chromatography T0 (provided that the area reject-think of how Josh made those peaks disappear in front […]

Where is the commutability?

Where is the commutability?

On July 24, 2012, in GC-FID & GC/MS, General Information, Laboratory Procedure, Standards, by Justin J. McShane

Commutability is the hallmark of all measurement science and is particularly important in analytical chemistry at large. Commutability is the feature of being comparable across borders and universal over all time. Using appropriate and traceable standards/reference materials during calibration combined with using validated and standardized methods provides for commutability. Since the mid 1980s, the Environmental […]

Justice be done: Frederic Whitehurst leads the way

Justice be done: Frederic Whitehurst leads the way

On July 13, 2012, in Announcements, DNA, Ethics, Ethics: Lawyer, Ethics: Scientist, General Information, Identification, In The Courtroom, Lab Scandals & Failures, Trace Evidence, by Justin J. McShane

Our regular guest blogger here, Dr. Frederic Whitehurst, JD, PhD was featured for his courageous work in exposing invalid science with the FBI. He is a true American hero! Way to go Dr. Whtiehurst! Dr. Whitehurst will be presenting the Donald Gates case and his efforts at the American Chemical Society national meeting and the […]

Is it column bleed, septum bleed, or a fragment from a controlled substance?

Is it column bleed, septum bleed, or a fragment from a controlled substance?

On July 10, 2012, in GC-FID & GC/MS, by Justin J. McShane

When run on a validated method, on an instrument that has properly qualified and certified as good for general use prior to testing unknowns, on a stable instrument, on an instrument that has proper and confirmed Quality Control (QC) immediately prior to use and with an experienced operator with no sampling or preparation error coupled […]

Toxicology versus solid drug dose examination for controlled substances

Toxicology versus solid drug dose examination for controlled substances

On July 3, 2012, in GC-FID & GC/MS, Identification, Laboratory Procedure, Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

When we use GC-MS for forensic science purposes for controlled substance detection, we can basically divide the world into two camps. First, is the world of solid drug dose in pre-consumption form. The second is in the world post-consumption form analysis in a biological matrix (blood, urine, or oral fluid) which is otherwise known as […]

Issues in Explosives Residue Analysis: Conclusion

Issues in Explosives Residue Analysis: Conclusion

On June 28, 2012, in Explosive Residue, by Justin J. McShane

Issues in Explosives Residue Analysis A Primer for the Bar Frederic Whitehurst, Ph.D.[1] [Editor’s Note: This is a multi-part series deigned to educate the defense bar on important issues concerning explosive and explosive residue investigations] Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Back to the Basics: Was it the result of an explosive device in the first […]

Issues in Explosives Residue Analysis: Experience: What makes for a proper expert in explosive scene investigation?

Issues in Explosives Residue Analysis: Experience: What makes for a proper expert in explosive scene investigation?

On June 21, 2012, in Explosive Residue, by Justin J. McShane

Issues in Explosives Residue Analysis A Primer for the Bar Frederic Whitehurst, Ph.D.[1] [Editor’s Note: This is a multi-part series deigned to educate the defense bar on important issues concerning explosive and explosive residue investigations] Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Back to the Basics: Was it the result of an explosive device in the first […]

Issues in Explosives Residue Analysis: Interpretation of data in explosive scene investigation

Issues in Explosives Residue Analysis: Interpretation of data in explosive scene investigation

On June 14, 2012, in Explosive Residue, by Justin J. McShane

Issues in Explosives Residue Analysis A Primer for the Bar Frederic Whitehurst, Ph.D.[1] [Editor’s Note: This is a multi-part series deigned to educate the defense bar on important issues concerning explosive and explosive residue investigations] Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Back to the Basics: Was it the result of an explosive device in the first […]

Issues in Explosives Residue Analysis: Identifying Techniques in explosive scene investigation

Issues in Explosives Residue Analysis: Identifying Techniques in explosive scene investigation

On June 7, 2012, in Explosive Residue, by Justin J. McShane

Issues in Explosives Residue Analysis A Primer for the Bar Frederic Whitehurst, Ph.D.[1] [Editor’s Note: This is a multi-part series deigned to educate the defense bar on important issues concerning explosive and explosive residue investigations] Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Back to the Basics: Was it the result of an explosive device in the first […]