tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post4268642258508177337..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Black-box DNA mixture analysis method used in NYC turned out to be flawedGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-91916864486081030962017-09-20T14:51:34.603-05:002017-09-20T14:51:34.603-05:00In a chapter within the new book Forensic Science ...In a chapter within the new book Forensic Science Reform, Ford and Krane wrote, "When it is necessary to invoke dropout<br />(and/or drop-in) for test results to be consistent with a prosecution’s theory of a case, it is critically important that both the numerator and the denominator be fully disclosed; yet, some probabilistic approaches currently provide only the ratio of the two likelihoods.Proponents of probabilistic genotyping software packages should scrupulously avoid succumbing to market pressures to have their programs simply "get bigger numbers.'"Chris Halkideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14933976220776524122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-49647279310456590092017-09-06T16:14:36.870-05:002017-09-06T16:14:36.870-05:00@3:14-
To the same...
“Lab analysts 'make i...@3:14- <br /><br />To the same...<br /><br />“Lab analysts 'make it seem like it’s a completely objective process."<br /><br />Otherwise they'll be fired for making themselves and the crime lab look ignorant. There is no job security, and you could actually be charged with a crime (manipulating evidence, fraudulent reporting, etc) depending on whomever you piss off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-7662568682155628482017-09-06T03:28:06.141-05:002017-09-06T03:28:06.141-05:00Imagine if more truthful arson investigators from ...Imagine if more truthful arson investigators from the 1980s-2000s spoke up about the scientifically unfounded myth of "crazed glass caused by liquid accelerants." What if more ballistics experts called b.s. on the certainty of matching a bullet with the gun that fired it. What if more hair comparison experts publicly critiqued the methodology and reliability of accurate "visual expertise interpretation." But these scientists didn't speak out because they feared "career repercussions."<br /><br />And the public is seeing the consequences of their silence 30 years later.<br />And probably will for the next 30 years -- because this same attitude persists.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-81276186556117707962017-09-06T03:14:47.619-05:002017-09-06T03:14:47.619-05:00"...said a scientist in the lab who worked on..."...said a scientist in the lab who worked on the techniques who asked to remain anonymous for fear of career repercussions..."<br /><br />Unfortunately, statements such as this are innate to the forensics field. It's statements such as this that deter honest intelligent scientists from entering into (or staying in) a career in forensics It implies that under anonymity the forensic scientist will give a truthful opinion. But when their name is attached to official statements, such as courtroom testimony or recorded depositions, they will fudge the facts, omit pertinent information, or deny knowledge of problems when they absolutely know of the scientific problems contained within the conclusions. They won't provide the whole truth -- in fear of "career repercussions."<br /><br />This statement has no place in the scientific field. No scientist should fear losing their job if they expressed a scientific opinion, even if it is unpopular or has tremendous consequences for others. His employers should be removed from authority immediately for requiring the scientist to curtail a scientific opinion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-38001633629064267282017-09-06T03:13:09.240-05:002017-09-06T03:13:09.240-05:00“Lab analysts 'make it seem like it’s a comple...“Lab analysts 'make it seem like it’s a completely objective process."<br /><br />That's because lab analysts want to keep their jobs. Lab analysts are trained to be ignorant and to disregard information that doesn't benefit the prosecution.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com