Fire/Arson Investigations : Fire/Arson Investigations
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Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System--new book
Posted by: John Lentini (IP Logged)
Date: April 23, 2022 02:29PM
Chris Fabricant is a masterful storyteller. His new book, Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System accurately portrays the changes that have taken place this century.
Progress is slow. Despite dozens of wrongful convictions based on bite marks being overturned, bite mark evidence is still admissible in all 50 states (although the state of Texas Forensic Science Commission has recommended a moratorium on bite mark evidence.)
The problem with bad science in our justice system is that our system is not based on science. It is based on precedent. Even a case with an overturned conviction can be cited to persuade the next judge to let the jury hear the bad evidence because some other judge someplace else already let it in. It’s pretty outrageous.
The book also takes on problems in other forensic disciplines such as fire investigation, microscopic hair comparison, comparative bullet lead analysis, and other “feature comparison” disciplines. This book is definitely worth reading by anyone who participates in the justice system.
Disclosure: Several of my arson cases are featured in the book. I have an autographed copy that Chris had the publisher send me.
[www.amazon.com]
John J. Lentini, CFI
Scientific Fire Analysis
Islamorada, FL
www.firescientist.com
scientific.fire@yahoo.com
Progress is slow. Despite dozens of wrongful convictions based on bite marks being overturned, bite mark evidence is still admissible in all 50 states (although the state of Texas Forensic Science Commission has recommended a moratorium on bite mark evidence.)
The problem with bad science in our justice system is that our system is not based on science. It is based on precedent. Even a case with an overturned conviction can be cited to persuade the next judge to let the jury hear the bad evidence because some other judge someplace else already let it in. It’s pretty outrageous.
The book also takes on problems in other forensic disciplines such as fire investigation, microscopic hair comparison, comparative bullet lead analysis, and other “feature comparison” disciplines. This book is definitely worth reading by anyone who participates in the justice system.
Disclosure: Several of my arson cases are featured in the book. I have an autographed copy that Chris had the publisher send me.
[www.amazon.com]
John J. Lentini, CFI
Scientific Fire Analysis
Islamorada, FL
www.firescientist.com
scientific.fire@yahoo.com
| Subject | Views | Written By | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
 Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System--new book |
381 | John Lentini | 04/23/2022 02:29PM |
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