How does a GC-MS machine know that there’s a drug in the blood? The analyst has to teach it. Just like you teach a kid his or her colors, you have to teach this machine what are the drugs it should be looking for. How were you taught what color is what? You probably don’t […]
Constructive Memory Process Eyewitness memory is not all it is made up to be
Eyewitness memory is not all it is made up to be. While not technically empirical forensic science in nature (other than cognitive psychology), I was moved after watching this TED talk by Elizabeth Loftus to share this talk with you. Memory, according to her, is like a Wikipedia page, not a recorder. It can be […]
Kudos to Texas State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy
From Grits for Breakfast (which is a wonderful blog): Kudos to Texas State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy for doing the right thing. Pecos DA challenges state fire marshal review of junk science in arson cases A West Texas DA has sought an Attorney General’s opinion seeking to stop the State Fire Marshal from reviewing […]
I know methamphetamine by looking at it: false arrest for drugs
Here is a curious article that shows shockingly what is typical in America. It is atypical that it got reported: ‘My client is not Walter White’: Man arrested for possessing crystal meth that turned out to be Jolly Rancher candy sues police A police officer who claimed to be an expert in detecting meth detained […]
GC-MS false positives
GC-MS false positives happen in drug testing As we blogged before, both in Stereoselectivity matters in methamphetamine: The Science of Breaking Bad cook makes both D and L forms of meth and in GC-MS is not perfect: The case study of methamphetamine there is a large issue in the ability of the Gas Chromatography with Mass […]
The top 2 problems seen with Gas Chromatography BAC results
The top 2 problems seen with Gas Chromatography BAC results The testing method used most frequently in blood based Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) analysis in the United States is called headspace gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detector, using wall coated open tubular capillary columns. The process analyzes chemicals without decomposing them. The GC […]
Ethical Competence versus Technical Competence: Why trying your best doesn’t cut it
Technical Competence versus Ethical Competence: Why trying your best doesn’t cut it Don’t simply be technically competent. Have ethical competence. This blog has featured acts of complete ethical failure in various crime laboratories. It is time that this blog also begin to feature another crucial part of the justice system: the criminal defense trial […]
Crime Laboratory Fees: A Form of Bias
New Paper Shows How Crime Laboratory Fees Are A Form of Bias In a new paper, Koppl and Sacks point to the ugly and hidden side of laboratory science that those of us that defend citizens accused of crimes know well. The money-making scheme that are court assessed criminal laboratory user fees. In that paper, […]
The Continued Need For An Independent Judiciary
The Continued Need For An Independent Judiciary Justin J. McShane, JD, F-AIC[i] and Katherine Kennedy, JD[ii] At the 2012 NCDD summer session, our great friend and liberty’s champion Gary Trichter of Texas asked a simple, but profound question: “Would they ask you to be number 57?” There were 56 delegates to the Continental […]
Stereoselectivity matters in methamphetamine: The Science of Breaking Bad cook makes both D and L forms of meth
Methamphetamine analysis comes down to the stereoselectivity capabilities in the crime laboratory. Stereoselectivity is crucial in a crime laboratory. The ability of an analytical chemistry device to be specific to a type of a form of drug is key. Stereoselectivity is one of those key functions. Even the venerable workhorse of analytical chemistry in a crime […]
Standardized Field Sobriety Test and Age: 40 is the new 65
Standardized Field Sobriety Test and Age: Why At Age 40 You Are Over the Hill The Standardized Field Sobriety Tests have been used since the 1980’s to aid officers in the field in their decision-making to arrest motorists. But are they useful for all ages? When I turned 35, I started to get direct mailing […]
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