Forensic Discipline - Page 23 of 25 | The Truth About Forensic Science

Are fingerprints worthwhile?

On October 14, 2010, in Fingerprint, Identification, by Justin J. McShane

Well, I suppose we should talk fingerprints, right? FRICTION RIDGES Ridges are the raised layers of skin which contain openings for sweat glands and impart characteristics to a fingerprint of an individual. One of the ways to identify a fingerprint is by using the Galton points system which includes the minutiae characteristics of the […]

Expired Blood Tubes-What’s the Big Deal??

On October 12, 2010, in Chemistry, Forensic Discipline, Laboratory Procedure, Phlebotomy, by Justin J. McShane

So you have a case where the state used expired blood tubes and they want to perform analytical chemistry for either Drugs of Abuse testing or ETOH testing. So what’s the big deal about that???? Well I am so glad that you asked…. Simple. Unlike what most people think it has nothing to do with […]

Lecture on Analytical Chemistry in BAC testing Part 13

On October 7, 2010, in Chemistry, Equipment, Ethics, Ethics: Scientist, Forensic Discipline, General Information, In The Courtroom, Laboratory Procedure, Lectures, Phlebotomy, by Justin J. McShane

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

On October 5, 2010, in Crime Scene Investigation, Ethics, Ethics: Scientist, Forensic Discipline, Identification, In The Courtroom, Laboratory Procedure, Trace Evidence, by Justin J. McShane

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

On September 30, 2010, in Chemistry, Equipment, Ethics, Ethics: Scientist, Forensic Discipline, In The Courtroom, Laboratory Procedure, Lectures, Phlebotomy, by Justin J. McShane

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 […]

The Power of an assay-Bayes style

On September 28, 2010, in Forensic Discipline, Metrology, by Justin J. McShane

If you haven’t noticed a theme in these blog posts, it is really quite simple: Exposing limitations of assays. Showing the interpretive parts of forensic science I also admit that I love metrology as it should be applied to forensic science. As I have written before: I have blogged before on metrology and Uncertainty Measurement […]

Metrology in Quantitative Measure: Is it Specific or Selective or Neither…

On September 21, 2010, in Equipment, Forensic Discipline, Identification, In The Courtroom, Metrology, by Justin J. McShane

As I have blogged before every assay has its limitations. There is no such thing as a perfect test. I have blogged before on metrology and Uncertainty Measurement (UM). Even the mighty International Standard, ISO 17025, in Section 5.4.6 only applies the concept of UM to the quantitative measure and to the quantitative measure alone. […]

Lecture on Analytical Chemistry in BAC testing Part 10

On September 16, 2010, in Chemistry, Equipment, Forensic Discipline, Identification, In The Courtroom, Laboratory Procedure, by Justin J. McShane

The above is Part Ten 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: I […]

Lecture on Analytical Chemistry in BAC testing Part 8

On September 2, 2010, in Chemistry, Enzymatic Testing, Laboratory Procedure, Lectures, by Justin J. McShane

The above is Part Eight 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: The […]

Lecture on Analytical Chemistry in BAC testing Part 7

On August 26, 2010, in Chemistry, Enzymatic Testing, Laboratory Procedure, Lectures, by Justin J. McShane

The above is Part Seven 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: One […]

Fire Whisperers-the Story of Bad Arson Investigation

On August 17, 2010, in Arson, Crime Scene Investigation, Ethics, Ethics: Scientist, In The Courtroom, by Justin J. McShane

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 […]

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