The Truth About Forensic Science

The Week 85 Forensic Science Geek of the Week Challenge

On February 12, 2012, in www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week, by Justin J. McShane

Our good friend, Ron Moore, Esquire writes us “I actually had a client researching lawyers who looked at the Truth About Forensic Science geek of the week posts and liked my answers. It made a difference in who he decided to hire. Thanks!” So, there is a lot of value in www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek […]

Guest Blog Post From Dr. Frederic Whitehurst PhD JD: “Matches” An Over inference of Data? A Giglio Obligation? The case of Paint Examination

On February 9, 2012, in Chemistry, Contextual Bias, Ethics, Ethics: Scientist, Identification, In The Courtroom, Paint Analysis, Trace Evidence, by Justin J. McShane

“Matches” An Over inference of Data? A Giglio Obligation?: The case of Paint Examination By: Frederic Whitehurst, J.D., Ph.D. [1] and Darlene R. Brezinski, Ph.D.[2] Forensic chemical analyses of complex matrices such as plastics, paints, or paper products, may lead to inconclusive results without analysts or reviewing counsel aware of the failing of the analyses. Complex […]

Quality Control in GC-FID: Teaching the machine right from wrong

On February 7, 2012, in Chemistry, Equipment, Ethics, Ethics: Scientist, GC-FID & GC/MS, Identification, In The Courtroom, Laboratory Procedure, Metrology, Standards, by Justin J. McShane

It is shocking but very true statement that most sophisticated instruments such as a Gas Chromatograph (GC) with various detectors whether it is a mass spectrometer (MS) or flame ionization detector (FID) when produced and manufactured are incapable of producing meaningful results “straight out of the box.” These machines have to be “taught” what it […]

The Week 84 Forensic Science Geek of the Week is Announced

On February 5, 2012, in www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week, by Justin J. McShane

The Forensic Science Geek of the Week Please visit the www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com FaceBook fan page. The week 84 “www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week” honors goes to: Steven W. Hernandez, Esquire According to our Geek, the following is offered: Steven W. Hernandez, Esq., is admitted to practice in State of New Jersey and the United […]

The Week 84 Forensic Science Geek of the Week Challenge

On February 5, 2012, in www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week, by Justin J. McShane

Guest Blog Post From Dr. Frederic Whitehurst PhD JD: Mr. Fletcher vs. Mr. Daubert A Journey into the Surreal

On February 2, 2012, in Chemistry, Contextual Bias, Identification, In The Courtroom, Laboratory Procedure, Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

Mr. Fletcher vs. Mr. Daubert: A Journey into the Surreal By: Frederic Whitehurst, J.D., Ph.D. Many a defense attorney has looked in amazement at the courtroom “identification” of Cannabis Sativa L. by a law enforcement officer sporting a gilded pot metal badge and a high school diploma who has written a report that would […]

The myth of specific identification of Marijuana in criminal court Part 7: Is there a better way to test for marijuana?

On January 31, 2012, in Chemistry, Equipment, Ethics, Ethics: Scientist, Identification, In The Courtroom, Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

Throughout this series of posts we have examined the Thorton-Nakumura protocol that is used throughout the United States for the prosecution of illegal possession marijuana. A fair examination of the question reveals that there is no validity to the notion that the 3 test regimen produces a valid conclusion that the unknown examined in fact […]

The Week 83 Forensic Science Geek of the Week Challenge

On January 29, 2012, in www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week, by Justin J. McShane

The myth of specific identification of Marijuana in criminal court Part 6: Is the combination of all three tests create a “good” testing scheme?

On January 26, 2012, in Chemistry, Identification, In The Courtroom, Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

The modern day prosecution for the unlawful possession of marijuana is based upon a three test regime involving microscopic morphological examination, modified Duquenois-Levine colorimetric testing, and Thin Layer Chromatography. Each of these three tests are non-specific for THC which is the pharmacodynamically active ingredient which makes marijuana illegal. The question becomes is this three test […]

The myth of specific identification of Marijuana in criminal court Part 5: What is Thin Layer Chromatography? Is it a “good” test?

On January 24, 2012, in Chemistry, Equipment, Identification, Solid Drug Dose, by Justin J. McShane

All prosecutions for the unlawful possession of marijuana requires as an essential element of the crime for the government to advance proof that the unknown submitted for testing is in fact marijuana (contains THC). Can the government actually do that based upon its typical testing method? In this series of posts we are going to […]

The Week 78 Forensic Science Geek of the Week is Announced

On January 23, 2012, in www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week, by Justin J. McShane

The Forensic Science Geek of the Week Please visit the www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com FaceBook fan page. The week 78 “www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week” honors goes to: Steven W. Hernandez, Esquire According to our Geek, the following is offered: Steven W. Hernandez, Esq., is admitted to practice in State of New Jersey and the United […]

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