Is blood spatter evidence junk science book

The national academy of sciences has stated that this approach to crime scene analysis is more subjective than scientific. But later investigation failed to confirm that the substance was blood, or even of human origin. A good book on the interesting science of blood evidence interpretation. Oct 01, 2015 forensic scientist karen green demonstrates potential causes of blood spatter. Like many other disciplines from the early days of forensic science, its use and acceptance occurred without rigorous validation. Improperly handled blood evidence can weaken or destroy a potential s. Investigating the reliability of bloodstain pattern analysis. Steven gilbert blood spatter analysis blood spatter analysis is the systematic assessment of the visual patterns of bloodstains at crime scenes based on the physics of fluids brodbeck, 2012, p. Almost junk forensic science of blood spatter expertise its not as simple as its taught in class posted on november 7, 2017 by csidds here is a good look at why forensics should be considered amateurhour nonscience in many jurisdictions. Psychological scientist dr niki osborne, from both the department of psychology at the university of otago and the institute of environmental science and research ltd esr, is getting accustomed to her friends calling her dexter after all, she spends her days looking at blood spatter. Instead, many wrongful convictionswhether due to faulty bloodspatter analysis, misread fingerprint matches, shoddy lab analysis, or junk arson sciencedisappear into the shuffle of the. Blood spatter kits from wards natural science introduction to blood spatter analysis.

Testimony by bevel contradicted the physical evidence in the routier case. Like other forensic practitioners, bloodstain pattern analysts are. Dec 07, 2018 junk science doesnt just lead to wrongful convictionsit contributes to the alreadyenormous racial disparity in wrongful convictions in this country. However, since the late 1950s, bpa experts have claimed. Apr 30, 2012 the closing paragraph of the texas observer article is chilling. The science of blood spatter forensic scientist karen green demonstrates potential causes of blood spatter. The forward spatter involved will be more symmetrical than the back spatter due to the primary force of the impact being transmitted in the direction of the projectile. Bloodstain pattern analysis terminology explained by the fbi. How a dubious forensic science spread like a virus propublica. Almost junk forensic science of blood spatter expertise. Reliability assessment of current methods in bloodstain. This is also sometimes called blood pattern analysis bpa. Amazingly, this is a relatively recently created science. Publications national criminal justice reference service.

But the blood itself where it lands, how it lands, its consistency, and the size and shape of its droplets, or. Forensic evidence and junk science california criminal. Discredited by the legal system, junk science lives on in fiction. The way the authors evidence helped convict criminals is. Talkshow host john oliver recently shed much needed light on shaky science during his hbo show last week tonight with john oliver. Written as a resource for the professional author, this forensics for fiction title provides userfriendly approaches to realistic details by covering. I search for resources and ideas for my high school forensics classes and pin them here see more ideas about forensics, my high school and forensic science. Blood spatter analyst forensic science is a key aspect of criminal justice that helps rid the streets of lunatics and murderers. Here are some suggested links for any visitors who want to learn more about forensic science. Bloodstain pattern analysis bpa has been used in criminal investigations since the 1800s. The recognition and analysis of bloodstain patterns can yield useful investigative information. The paper showed that the hypotheses that underpin bloodstainpattern analysis remained largely untested. Instead, many wrongful convictionswhether due to faulty bloodspatter analysis, misread fingerprint matches, shoddy lab analysis, or junk arson. Blood spatter forensics for fiction kindle edition by.

The way the authors evidence helped convict criminals is engrossing. Bloodstain pattern analysis bpa is the study and analysis of bloodstains at a known or suspected crime scene with the purpose of drawing conclusions about the nature, timing and other details of the crime. This course will address the principles of blood spatter creation, and bloodstain interpretation as it pertains to biological evidence and will include processes for the appropriate recording, collection and processing of bloodstains and blood spatter evidence. So the book focuses a lot on bite mark evidence specifically, among other examples of kind of junk science.

One of his three coauthors was a nowretired canadian police officer who had been an assistant teacher in macdonells workshop. Robert neulanders trial for the murder of his wife, leslie. Becausebloodbehavesaccordingtocertainscientificprinciples,trained bloodstainpatternanalystscanexaminethebloodevidenceleftbehindand. This blood is also tested to determine if the blood came from the victim or the suspect.

Sanjay gupta the start of a new cnn series on junk science in crime investigation introduced. The science of blood spatter is a recognized field of forensic sciences, which, when used in conjunction with the forensic. Thats where crime scene investigators and forensic scientists come in. Blood spatter forensics for fiction kindle edition by symon, geoff. Jodie english is a criminal defense lawyer practicing in indianapolis, in who deals only with major felonies.

The type of surface that free falling blood strikes affects the appearance of the resulting spatter. This book is about the analysis of blood spatters, etc, not so much the dna, etc side of evidence. For example, bevel testified that because bloodstains on the right shoulder area. In this science fair project, you will investigate blood spatter using fake blood. Ramsey wants to do this despite calling bloodspatter evidence in general almost junk science. Blood spatter some legal stuff wrongful convictions blog. Weve become used to hearing how specialists use blood samples to identify suspects through dna. Passed in 20, the texas junk science law texas sb 344 allows persons in texas prisons to challenge their convictions based on the questionable evidence of junk science. There is very little science behind some of the forensic evidence used. I spoke about pseudoscience but then listened in dismay at how the many fields in. The implications for practitioners and agencies involved in bpa are discussed. Learn forensic science blood spatter with free interactive flashcards. A great recourse providing explanations, graphics, and case studies. Gary tuchman a look at the texas conviction warren horinek for murdering his wife based on blood spatter evidence examined.

The velocity of the blood spatter is a good indication of the speed of the force that sent the blood in motion, suggesting the type of weapon used on the victim. In episode two were introduced to the science of blood spatter which, for anyone whos familiar with the true crime genre, is a common piece of evidence used to piece together what might have happened to a victim. It is one of the several specialties of forensic science. The science of bitemark comparisons, ballistic comparisons, fingerprint matching, bloodspatter analysis, arson investigation and other common forensic techniques has been tainted by systematic. What are the disadvantages of using blood as evidence at a. Test your skills as a bloodstain pattern analyst you might want to read the tutorial first. Forensic techniques including bitemark comparisons and bloodspatter analysis have sent dozens of innocent people to prison. Becausebloodbehavesaccordingtocertainscientificprinciples,trained bloodstainpatternanalystscanexaminethe blood evidence leftbehindand. Feb 22, 2019 all of the pins that i have collected related to blood evidence.

The zeigler defense team has told me that this morning, judge whitehead has approved statefunding to engage mr paul kish as blood spatter expert in connection with william thomas zeigler s requests for new dna testing. Dec, 2018 in 20, attinger published his first bloodspatter paper in the journal forensic science international. Since blood evidence associated with a crime can provide information that may solve the case, it is essential to correctly document, collect, and preserve this type of evidence. Nov 07, 2017 almost junk forensic science of blood spatter expertise its not as simple as its taught in class posted on november 7, 2017 by csidds here is a good look at why forensics should be considered amateurhour nonscience in many jurisdictions. One of the most important fields of forensic science is blood spatter analysis. Blood evidence isnt just collected off of weapons, but can also be collected off of the floor or other surfaces in a crime scene. Like a lot of people you might think that forensic science, by which i mean not just dna but blood splatter, fingerprints, footprints, bite mark evidence, hair follicle analysis and other types of scientific evidence is exactly that. Additionally, forward spatter will result in a more intense pattern because the majority of the projectile force is concentrated along the vector of the projectile. The article describes the three classifications of blood spatter velocity and what they mean high, medium, and low, as well as how to tell which way the blood traveled. A man is serving 30 years for killing his wife, but some forensics experts say the evidence doesnt prove the crime.

Lemoyne snyders widely used book homicide investigation first published. Between these extremes lies a range of mediumsized droplets. Blood distribution and spatter uf forensic science online. Should bloodstainpattern analysis be filed under junk. Blood drops on a rough surface will make an irregular shaped stain with rough or jagged edges. The study of blood spatter has been around since the 1890s. It is one of the several specialties of forensic science the use of bloodstains as evidence is not new. This document is a research report submitted to the u.

Uncertainties associated with bloodstainpattern analysis. Besides testing, investigators use blood stain patterns to help determine if a crime was committed. Jan, 2019 the science of bitemark comparisons, ballistic comparisons, fingerprint matching, blood spatter analysis, arson investigation and other common forensic techniques has been tainted by systematic. The closing paragraph of the texas observer article is chilling. As a research guide, blood spatter presents an accurate and accessible gateway into the world of blood spatter and its analysis. In recent years, however, the scientific accuracy of bloodstainpattern analysis has been called into questionand many are calling for it to be reconsidered as a reliable source of evidence in court. Choose from 500 different sets of forensic science blood spatter flashcards on quizlet.

Although important aspects of bloodstain pattern analysis are well supported by research, analysts must be careful not to overreach source. Blood spatter jfk assassination debate the education forum. Apr 11, 2011 blood spatter expert appointed in zeigler case. Robert ramsey, who represents brad jennings, says bloodspatter analysis is almost junk science. How bloodstain pattern analysis works howstuffworks. The defense called the blood spatter evidence junk science, and demanded that the prosecution test dna evidence on an unidentified gray sweatshirt found on the scene.

Kish is a forensic consultant in corning, new york. Journalists and lawyers have been exposing junk science for over a decade now, leading to a string of highprofile exonerations. Forensic scientist karen green demonstrates potential causes of blood spatter. Blood behaves not unlike those spilled water droplets, and the speed at which the droplets travel when they strike a surface, known to analysts as a target, affects their shape. Based on a partial fingerprint and ejector parts on a bullet casing, bill macumber was sentenced to life in prison in 1975 for a murder.

Experts in the field often say that its as much an art as a science. For example, i previously wrote about an innocent man who spent 33 years in prison based on bite mark analysis a forensic evidence technique that has been discredited in the scientific community but continues to be used by prosecutors. In 20, attinger published his first bloodspatter paper in the journal forensic science international. Blood splatter analysis blood spatter analysis kenisha callahan ajs 592 dr. In court filings, he says his expert will expose numerous glaring errors in the states bloodspatter conclusions. Skepticism towards pattern evidence is not just for scientists and lawyers, but for anyone interested in reducing racism in our criminal justice system. In time, macdonell would testify and publish books and articles using this. I think it was like a two day course in blood spatter analysis, similar to what pam colloff has exposed when it comes to this particular discipline, but then she looked up the woman who taught that class and this was, im going to. There is evidence to be gathered at every crime scene. Aug 28, 2018 ramsey wants to do this despite calling bloodspatter evidence in general almost junk science. Oct 05, 2017 passed in 20, the texas junk science law texas sb 344 allows persons in texas prisons to challenge their convictions based on the questionable evidence of junk science. Of course, analyzing blood spatter isnt as simple as fictional bloodstain pattern analysts like dexter morgan make it appear. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.

If the courts routinely admit junk science, gertner said recently, the. View of the luminescent blood pool in front of the concrete culvert and the path indicating the direction that the decedent was carried between the concrete culverts. Dec 20, 2011 a man is serving 30 years for killing his wife, but some forensics experts say the evidence doesnt prove the crime. Bad forensic science is putting innocent people in prison. Dna evidence, blood spatter patterns, bite marks, finger prints and other common types of forensic evidence have been subjected to scrutiny and some just dont hold up.

Theyre simply a tool to help investigators and analysts draw conclusions from a substance thats often found at crime scenes. Ramsey explained in an interview that his expert had better credentials and more training than nash. Nov 02, 2017 ramsey wants to do this despite calling bloodspatter evidence in general almost junk science. Your job, as an impartial scientist, is to deliver facts so that justice can be served.

In pop culture and in the media these processes are described as very precise and law enforcement. Psychological scientist dr niki osborne, from both the department of psychology at the university of otago and the institute of environmental science and research ltd esr, is getting accustomed to her friends calling her dexter after all. But unlike other forensic evidencedna or fingerprinting, for exampleblood spatter evidence rarely provides the sole basis for. Scientific american is the essential guide to the most aweinspiring. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading blood spatter forensics for fiction. Jul 09, 2019 in episode two were introduced to the science of blood spatter which, for anyone whos familiar with the true crime genre, is a common piece of evidence used to piece together what might have happened to a victim. She has drafted three model or template motions dealing with blood spatter or blood pattern analysis bpa evidence one each to limit, to discover, and to exclude. Junk science doesnt just lead to wrongful convictionsit contributes to the alreadyenormous racial disparity in wrongful convictions in this country. Blood drops on a smooth surface will make a more uniform or regular circular shape. Ever since bpa was used to overturn this conviction in the mid1950s, it has more or less been seen as an accepted form of evidence in court. It gave bloodstainpattern analysis its first toehold of legitimacy in texas. This speed, combined with angle and surface characteristics, also determines how far blood droplets skip or bounce after meeting a barrier. Investigating the reliability of bloodstain pattern. The prosecutions case against darlie routier included bloodstain pattern analysis by tom bevel.