Category Uncategorized

The Dookhan Mess

The Boston Globe describes why the Massachusetts drug-lab mess persists.  “Incredibly, more than four years after Dookhan’s crimes were first uncovered… Thousands of those whose lives were affected haven’t been notified of their rights, including the possibility of a new… Continue Reading →

Researchers in Genomics hope to be able to recreate a person’s physical characteristics based on a DNA sample

Currently, DNA profiles only provide certain markers of identity in a graph-like format but tell little about the suspect himself. Researchers in Genomics hope to be able to tell criminal investigators physical characteristics and traits of suspects based on their… Continue Reading →

Houston Lab Introduces Blind Quality Controls for Toxicology

Last year, city officials officially closed the Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory and created in its place an independent forensic lab called the Houston Forensic Science Center.  The new lab caused quite a stir at national meetings in Washington recently… Continue Reading →

Boston Review examines the tension between forensic science and other branches of science

This article examines the flaws of many forensic science techniques in that forensic science often relies heavily on the individual judgment of examiners, is subject to the analysts’ bias, and is in tension with other sciences in that it seeks… Continue Reading →

Political Gnashing of Teeth Over Bite Mark Evidence

On Monday, the Texas Forensic Science Commission met to discuss the future of bite mark evidence. The American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO), the organization that certifies dentists to analyze bite mark evidence, opposes any change that would completely exclude the… Continue Reading →

DNA in Forensics: An Interaction of Technician Skill and Technology

Nathan Robinson discusses the recent turn of events to cause courts to second guess forensics. DNA has always been considered reliable, but when the skill of technicians and forensic scientists is called into question, what good is the technology? Read… Continue Reading →

Defendant fails to convince court that fingerprint expert’s opinions fell below Daubert standards

The defendant was charged with the federal offense of felon in possession of a firearm. The defendant sought to suppress the testimony of a fingerprint expert who opined that that “the likelihood of obtaining a fingerprint of comparable value on a… Continue Reading →

Appellate Court of Illinois denies petitioner’s claim of ineffective post-conviction counsel when counsel failed to request independent forensic testing of evidence

Petitioner was convicted in a trial of the sexual assault of his young stepdaughter at her mother’s house. The evidence at issue was a blanket, which the victim claims she spit on and wiped her hands after the defendant forced… Continue Reading →

New Drug Sentencing Law Could Increase Forensic Lab Workload

New Hampshire will likely pass a law in the next year that increases sentencing for fentanyl to that of heroin. Fentanyl accounts for over half the state’s overdose deaths this year. The law will not increase the number of cases that… Continue Reading →

A Family Member’s Curiosity Leads to a DNA Match

Twenty-five years ago Richmond Mouchon found his grandmother dead in her apartment. This year, he went to his local police station to inquire about the investigation. There he met with an officer who looked into the case and discovered that… Continue Reading →

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2026 Forensics Forum — Powered by WordPress

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑