Forensic Science Blog

The National Academy of Sciences recently released a report (see this NPR story) citing some incendiary and serious concerns about the state of “forensic science” in the United States.

In recent e-mail communication, this comment was made by one of our faculty:

“Much of what is said in the NPR report reflects what the National Research Council and many other institutions criticize of the current state of Forensic Sciences in the US and around the world. Forensic Science evolved as a side kick from various  disciplines including Medicine, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology among others. It is therefore not surprising that the unique applications of Forensic Sciences have not been standardized yet but rather been studied from the point of interest and with a special focus of its parent disciplines. It is time for the child to get on its own feet and evolve into its own discipline, establish its own standards and recognition. Programs such as ours at the University of Florida provide, support, and facilitate the basis for this coming-of-age development and maturation.”

I still criticize that too much misinformation is abound regarding the nuances of the study of the various forensic sciences.  The “CSI effect,” by and large, has not accumulated enough empirical support to suggest that the problem exists among jurors.  To the counterpoint, a large-scale study by Judge Donald Shelton (whose respondants were actual jurors) suggests the issue can be described a “tech effect” - a generalized expectancy of high tech evidenciary practices theorethically due to living in a high-tech and advanced world.

While academia, practitioners, and our students are all mindful of this, it helps to keep in mind that expressing the limitations of any empirical findings are paramount to evaluating research (or evidentiary findings).  The same holds in the courtroom.

Recently, Radley Balko and Roger Koppl wrote a column on the continuing problems endemic in forensic science. Within its text, it claims that bad science is rampant in forensic science disciplines with calls for vast reform. These are the specific charges that Roger Koppl levies against forensic science:

Monopoly - Forensic labs have exclusive rights over evidence evidence in most circumstances.

Dependence bias - Forensic labs are dependent on law enforcement for funding… therefore forensic science is biased (pro-prosecution)

Insufficient quality control - Forensic labs are not required to be accredited by an independent accrediting agency.

No division of labor between analysis and interpretation - The individual(s) responsible for analyzing the data is the same that interprets the results.

Lack of forensic “counsel” - The poor cannot obtain forensic services, but have the right to an attorney. Many competent attorneys also cannot counter the pro-prosecution forensic results from a state/federal investigation

Lack of competition - State holds a monopoly on forensic science analyses, thus little competition exists.

While this is certainly not the first time people have been speaking out regarding some problematic aspects of forensic science, the efforts for reform are unmistakably becoming more organized. Most of points brought up in this column and in the report outlining these problems and potential resolutions are in effect misplacing blame and exerting it on the entire disciplines (yes, plural) of forensic science.

For starters, forensic science is not one unit, treating it as such only serves to blind people to the strong suits of specific analyses (gold standards, so to speak) and superb experts in their respective fields and lump all of the problematic methods and rogue “scientists” that have cropped up over the years.

But let’s not flush the baby with the bath water. Claiming that the vast majority of wrongful convictions are due to forensic error without any evidience surely does not sit well with any forensic scientist I know. I agree in that what we can do to help juries decide on their own is grant an independent forensic counsel to judges and juries to help interpret forensic results for those that essentially have defendants’ liberty in their hands to make intelligent decisions.

For those of you already in forensic practice, you are probably well aware that there exists a colossal quantity of literature and resources involving forensic science. The overwhelming amount of available data impedes efficient research and fact finding.

The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law (NCSTL) at Stetson University College of Law was developed to address this problem.

NCSTL is a nonprofit program of the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice, Grant #2003-IJ-CX-K024. The group organizes scientific, technological, and relevant legal resources into a comprehensive “one-stop” searchable database.

Specifically, information from multiple formats (such as cases, books, scientific articles, and newspapers) about dozens of forensic subjects is cataloged and summarized into bibliographic records. Topics range from anthropology through voice analysis. Anyone can explore and view these records by simply visiting www.ncstl.org and clicking on the “Search Database” link. Better than a general search engine, the unique website instantly pinpoints focused results.There are no fees and registration is 100% optional.

Visitors to NCSTL’s website can also take advantage of: detailed bibliographies on “hot” forensic topics, training modules with an emphasis on distance education, a hard copy reference collection accessible through interlibrary loan, archived copies of NCSTL’s newsletters, and even webcasts of well-known forensic lecturers, such as Drs. Henry Lee and Kathy Reichs. The site’s “Related Links” page and “Cold Case Toolkit” offer additional research tools.

This kind of unlimited, organized access to forensic materials is invaluable to professionals and students alike, and benefits both the legal and the scientific communities. Learn more about the organization at www.ncstl.org.

– Catherine Guthrie, Research Attorney @ NCSTL

This link kills spam

For those who are interested, check out the President’s recap of the current administration’s drug policy and what is in store for the future:

Announcement of Radio Address

During his weekly national radio address tomorrow, President Bush will release his 2008 National Drug Control Strategy. The 2008 Strategy highlights the historic declines in drug use achieved over the last seven years and encapsulates the many drug policy successes that are the result of concerted efforts at the local, State, Federal, and international levels. The President will also highlight challenges that remain, particularly prescription drug abuse. President Bush will outline the next steps the Federal government can take to help reduce the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs, and issue a call to action for all Americans to continue working to safeguard young people, families, and communities from the harms of substance abuse.

Tune in tomorrow, Saturday, March 1st at 10:00 AM to hear the President release the 2008 National Drug Control Strategy during his weekly national radio address, or visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080301.html.

This story was passed on to me recently: Police Identify Victim with Forensic Sculptor
About 5 years ago, I attended my first American Academy of Forensic Sciences annual conference and picked up a text on Forensic Art. This mixture of science, artistic ability, and incredible aptitude for the human form always amazed me - especially when the results are spot on to the subject in question. This is case in point. This story ran on 48 Hours Mystery on December 15 and should be available from the link above.

Here is the written story: CBS News.

Here is the entire video online: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6

Brad Baugh - graduate of the UF Forensic Science Distance Learning Programs - answered questions for students interested in forensic science studies at Oregon State University on Friday. Forensic Science seems to be such a hot topic these days any information sessions like this easily generate a lot of interest on college campuses. It will be interesting to hear the kinds of questions that were raised while Brad was visiting the campus. I, for one, am interested to know if more people are beginning to better understand that forensic science education requires a strong background in hard sciences. Many of my liberal arts students still ask me how to gain access to a criminalist position without really knowing the necessary prerequisites. Unfortunately, many are too advanced in their undergraduate careers to take on much of the coursework necessary to begin a masters degree in forensic science as well.

Brad - hope it went well! Keep us posted…

A mock crime scene exhibit was set up at the American College of Forensic Examiners conference in Kansas City, MO. Attendees examine the clues and enter a drawing by naming who they believe committed the crime. Was it suicide or murder? Here are the suspects:

Madeline Perez, victim – 24, actress, 5’-10”, 120 lbs., blond hair, blue eyes, right-handed, lives alone in an apartment in Hollywood, CA.

Charlie Robinson – 30, male, unemployed, 5’-8”, 180 lbs., left-handed, lives with his mother in the same apartment building as Madeline. Charlie is mentally disabled and obsessed with Madeline.

Desmond Howard – 30, male, actor, 6’-1”, 178 lbs., right-handed, lives alone in a house just outside Hollywood. Desmond is dating Madeline, but is not as successful in his acting career.

(Click on the image for the full-size version)

Fall Annual Meetings

The UF Forensic Science Program is visiting two conferences this fall. We hope to meet forensic professionals who may be interested in learning about the award winning UF Forensic Science Online Programs. We also hope to meet up with some of our students who live across the U.S.

The 18th International Symposium on Human Identification

October 1- 4, 2007

Sponsored by Promega, the meeting is being held in Hollywood, CA at The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.

Changing technologies, legislation and social issues continue to influence the field of human identification. Promega is sponsoring the International Symposium on Human Identification to facilitate the dissemination of information that impacts the forensic community.

This year’s symposium features:
- A keynote address by Sir Alec Jeffreys
- Presentations on the latest technologies in DNA typing
- Breakout sessions including “interesting cases” and “moving towards the paperless lab”

The American College of Forensic Examiners

October 2-6, 2007

ACFEI is hosting two back-to-back meetings at the Hyatt in Kansas City, MO. The American Board for Certification in Homeland Security meets Oct. 2-4, and the Forensic Examiners meeting is Oct 4-6.

Update!! Here is a video of Darrell Barr, one of our students, at the conference saying hello:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oAy0-ISyJw

This headline just hit this morning:

NY Times “Exoneration Using DNA Brings Change in Legal System”

More of what we already know, but it’s good to see encouraging words in print.

Earlier today, a college student was arrested for disturbing the peace at Sen. John Kerry’s town meeting at the University of Florida. During the arrest event, the University of Florida Police Department (UFPD) officers utilized taser technology to restrain the student.

The fallout seems to be impending as the word spreads across campus and some local media outlets. Decide for yourself: were the police correct to utilize their tasers, or was physical restraint ample for the level of resistance the student was displaying?

http://video.nbc6.net/player/?id=157250#videoid=157250

UPDATE: Some students are organizing a protest today (8/18) - will try to take pictures and report back. Also, it was reported this morning that this is the same student that held up a sign that said “HARRY DIES” right after this last Harry Potter book came out. See:

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20070722/LOCAL/707220317

In fact, it looks like he’s wearing the same shirt! But I cannot confirm that just yet.