Earlier this week, I posted “Today’s accepted science is subject to review and is evolutionary“. In that post I posited: Science is a wonderful thing. It is perhaps the greatest organized device known for discovering the truth. However, it is not infallible. Today’s scientific axiom is tomorrow’s discredited idea. That is why I suggest that […]
Today’s accepted science is subject to review and is evolutionary
Science is a wonderful thing. It is perhaps the greatest organized device known for discovering the truth. However, it is not infallible. Today’s scientific axiom is tomorrow’s discredited idea. That is why I suggest that we as lawyers dealing with forensic science related aspects are living in a great time of fundamental change. It is […]
Have you been drinking? Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) thinks it can answer that question, but can it?
EtG, LMNOP, QRSTUV-What can EtG possibly tell us about whether or not someone was drinking…. Ethylglucuronide (EtG) testing across the United States is widely used by probation and parole offices to accuse a probationer/parolee of drinking. It can be a crippling accusation because oftentimes, the EtG tests are preformed far from clinical conditions and by […]
Thanksgiving for all of you
Well, today is Thanksgiving here in America. I am thankful for you! This blog began on April 1, 2010. Since then, it has expanded beyond my expectations. I have you to thank for it. Thanks to Google Analytics, I can notice where you good folks come from and who this blog attracts. There are a […]
Is forensic science relevant to the police investigator?
An article caught my attention (thanks to our friend Christine Funk) so I wanted to share it with you as it highlights the difference between how far we think we have come versus where we are in reality The case against evidence From fingerprints to high-tech CSI, forensic science plays a much smaller role than […]
SCRAM: Sometimes the truth is a little funny
Sometimes in life things just work out to be way beyond funny…. Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc. markets a product they call “Secure Continuous Alcohol Monitoring” (SCRAM and SCRAMx) devices. It is perhaps best known as the Lindsay Lohan court-ordered fashion accessory. Well, it seems that SCRAM has an accessory of its own that could get […]
Lecture on Analytical Chemistry in BAC testing Part 13
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Government run Crime Labs are never wrong
It never happens, right? Crime labs cannot be wrong. There is no need to be professionally scientifically skeptical as to the reported test results of a crime lab, right? We should always trust the government because, after all, they’re here to do good, right? Right? WRONG! As my great friend and Minnesota criminal trial attorney […]
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