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Forensic science

Bit hand

Forensic science

Federal Report Adds to the Evidence That Bitemark Analysis Is Nonsense

Forensic techniques are nowhere near as reliable as cops shows pretend.

J.D. Tuccille | 10.19.2022 7:00 AM

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Criminal Justice

Texas Court Stays Execution of Mom Sentenced for Child's Death

The state claimed she beat a 2-year-old to death. But evidence may show it was the result of a fall down stairs.

Scott Shackford | 4.26.2022 3:00 PM

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Civil Liberties

Virginia Republicans Vote Down Bill To Ban Police Use of Forged Evidence Documents During Interrogations

The bill was introduced in response to a state investigation that found police used fake forensic evidence during interrogations.

Corey Walker | 2.2.2022 3:05 PM

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Innocence

Best-Selling Author Alice Sebold Apologizes to Innocent Man Who Served 16 Years for Her Rape

Her publisher will stop distributing her memoir Lucky, which detailed the attack and aftermath.

Scott Shackford | 12.2.2021 1:45 PM

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Book Reviews

Autopsy of a Crime Lab

The book argues that judges should take their responsibility as gatekeepers of scientific and technical evidence more seriously.

Jacob Sullum | 6.18.2021 6:30 AM

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Forensic science

Study on Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Finds 'Conclusions Were Often Erroneous'

Bloodstain pattern analysis is one of several forensic techniques that has come under scrutiny in recent years for its lack of established error rates.

C.J. Ciaramella | 6.11.2021 3:22 PM

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Forensic science

This Chronicle of Sloppy Alcohol Breath Testing Highlights the Hidden Problems With Supposedly Scientific Forensic Evidence

Even when a technology is valid in theory, haphazard methods can lead to wrongful convictions.

Jacob Sullum | 11.4.2019 1:20 PM

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Forensic science

'Lie Detectors' Do Not Detect Lies

A polygraph test does not prove Christine Blasey Ford is telling the truth-or anything else.

Jacob Sullum | 10.3.2018 12:01 AM

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Civil Liberties

No, Trump Staffers Shouldn't Be Subject to a Lie Detector Dragnet to Find the 'Resistance' Mole

Rand Paul betrays his civil libertarian principles when he calls for using junk science to ferret out disloyalty.

J.D. Tuccille | 9.7.2018 10:55 AM

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Forensic science

Rod Rosenstein Defends Bad Forensic Science

Experts warn against forms of forensic evidence that haven't been validated, but the deputy attorney general thinks that's an "erroneously narrow view."

C.J. Ciaramella | 8.10.2018 3:30 PM

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Forensic science

Stossel: Junk Science Locks Up Innocent People

DNA testing reveals that long-used forensic methods are error-riddled.

John Stossel and Maxim Lott | 5.22.2018 11:45 AM

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Forensic science

After Ending Obama-era Commission, Justice Department Announces New Forensic Science Review

Some criminal justice groups worry the group will not be independent.

C.J. Ciaramella | 8.14.2017 9:15 AM

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Forensic science

Sessions Scraps Commission on Forensic Science Standards

Say goodbye to an independent panel trying to keep bad science out of courtrooms

C.J. Ciaramella | 4.10.2017 4:15 PM

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Sex Crimes

Why We Still Need Statutes of Limitations for Rape

Momentum is gaining to end criminal statutes of limitations for sex crimes. But this betrays both victims and those accused.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 3.24.2017 3:00 PM

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Massachusetts

Mass. Supreme Court Orders D.A. to Vacate Cases in Massive Forensics Scandal

A corrupt crime lab tech tainted one in six drug cases in Massachusetts. The state high court just ordered prosecutors to drop thousands of those cases.

C.J. Ciaramella | 1.19.2017 4:15 PM

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Civil Liberties

Forensic Science Is a Mess, and the Justice Department Wants to Keep It That Way

C.J. Ciaramella | 12.22.2016 6:00 AM

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