The Houston Police Department is apparently making a “behind closed doors” push to regain control over the independent HFSC’s crime scene investigation unit, according to the Houston Chronicle.  One concern has apparently been with the quality of investigations of officer… Continue Reading →

“It has become increasingly clear in recent years that lack of rigor in the assessment of the scientific validity of forensic evidence is not just a hypothetical problem but a real and significant weakness in the judicial system,” said the… Continue Reading →

Read here, Jay Koehler’s great new piece titled “Forensics or Fauxrensics? Ascertaining Accuracy in the Forensic Sciences.”  The piece develops a concept of “Type II” proficiency testing designed to accurately assess error rates in forensic disciplines. Here is the abstract:… Continue Reading →

“The results produced in this case are unreliable based upon Dr. Buckleton’s testimony that it cannot adequately account for the absence of defendant’s alleles in the composite profile,” Judge Catena wrote. “As Dr. Buckleton stated, ‘the exact difficulty that we’ve… Continue Reading →

This Wednesday from 1-2:30 pm EST, a free NACDL Webinar on the FBI microscopic hair comparison review – and a discussion of best practices for state and local reviews.  Register and read more here.  Here is a description: In 2012,… Continue Reading →

View the Webcast here.

Read here a new ProPublica piece raising concerns with reliability of field drug test and describing the harrowing case of Amy Albritton, who pleaded guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence to felony drug possession in Houston, based on a… Continue Reading →

The Houston Forensic Science Center is hosting a symposium as part of its celebration of National Forensic Science Week. The symposium will include two panel discussions designed to bring attention to some of the biggest issues in the forensic community… Continue Reading →

An important ruling today from the Supreme Court of Alaska – jettisoning the Supreme Court’s 1977 Manson v. Brathwaite framework in favor of more detailed and more research-informed set of factors, recommending pre-trial hearings, jury instructions, and use of experts on eyewitness memory… Continue Reading →

The latest issue of National Geographic, here, on efforts to improve forensics.  “It’s been seven years since the National Academy of Sciences report called for a complete overhaul of forensic science. Some of its recommendations—to create a National Institute of… Continue Reading →