See pp. 173-176 for the National Research Council’s evaluation of forensic odontology. The report finds “there is continuing dispute over the value and scientific validity of comparing and identifying bite marks.” p. 173. The report lists the following concerns: “Bite marks on the skin will change over time”; Bite marks “can be distorted by the elasticity …
Resources
Strenthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward
2009 report by the National Academy of Sciences (known as the NAS Report) which found serious problems in forensic science research and practice and recommended an overhaul of the current structure that supports the forensic science community.
Strenthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path ForwardRead More
James Shellow, Cross-Examination of the Analyst in Drug Prosecutions
Ross M. Gardner & Tom Bevel, Practical Crime Scene Analysis and Reconstruction
National Academy of Sciences Report
See pp. 136-150 for the National Research Council’s assessment of the discipline of fingerprint analysis. The 2009 NAS Report cited “a thorough analysis of the ACE-V method” that concluded: “‘We have reviewed available scientific evidence of the validity of the ACE-V method and found none.’” pp. 142-143 (citation omitted).
George L. Bianchi et al., Understanding DUI Scientific Evidence (2d ed.)
Suggestive Eyewitness Identification Procedures and the Supreme Court’s Reliability Test in Light of Eyewitness Science: 30 Years Later
by Gary Wells and Deah Quinlivan, Law Hum Behav (2009) 33:1-24.
Burton v. Kentucky, 300 S.W.3d 126 (Ky. 2009)
Testimony from a DRE was improper where the DRE did not personally observe the defendant but instead based his opinion on review of records.
National Academy of Sciences Report
See pp. 133-136 for the National Research Counsel’s assessment of the analysis of controlled substances.
National Academy of Sciences Report
See pp. 150-155 for the National Research Counsel’s assessment of the discipline of Toolmark and Firearms Identification.
The Controversy Concerning Gunshot Residues Examinations
by Dennis L. McGuire, M.S., Forensic Magazine – discusses the lack of a uniform standard for GSR analyses based upon validated studies. States that until those studies are completed, “positive determinations of GSR should be seriously scrutinized.”
The Controversy Concerning Gunshot Residues ExaminationsRead More
A Presentation on Capacity to Proceed: How to Get Your Client Evaluated
A PowerPoint presentation created in 2008 by Wake County’s Office of Public Defender provides helpful tips for North Carolina attorneys when they suspect that their client may be incapable of proceeding to trial.
A Presentation on Capacity to Proceed: How to Get Your Client EvaluatedRead More
The Defenses of Voluntary Intoxication, Diminished Capacity, and Unconsciousness
For the 2008 Public Defender Spring Conference, Lisa Miles surveys 186 cases in which the court found evidence sufficient or not sufficient to warrant an instruction on voluntary intoxication, diminished capacity, or unconsciousness.
The Defenses of Voluntary Intoxication, Diminished Capacity, and UnconsciousnessRead More
False Positives Equal False Justice
A California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (CACJ) report by John Kelly. The report is largely based on the research of Dr. Frederic Whitehurst who tested field drug test kits and exposed and documented that they render false positives with legal substances. The report focuses on the Duquenois-Levine and KN Reagent tests used to test for …
Eyewitness Identification Reform Act (EIRA)
For crimes committed on or after March 1, 2008, the Eyewitness Identification Reform Act (EIRA) creates procedural guidelines for eyewitness identifications during photo lineups and live lineups. This legislation is codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. 15A-284.50 through 15A-284.53 (2007).