Forensics

Attorney general to ignore new report finding that commonly-used forensics are bogus

According to a new White House report, many of the forensics commonly used in criminal trials aren’t based on legitimate science. But the attorney general and top U.S. prosecutors have decided they will continue relying on them anyway.

In the report released Tuesday, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology questioned the scientific validity of numerous types of forensics frequently used by U.S. prosecutors — including the analysis of bite marks, shoe prints, hair samples, tool marks, and firearms — which have sent hundreds of innocent people to prison.

Specifically, the report found that bite-mark analysis does not meet the scientific standards for “foundational validity,” that “there are no appropriate empirical studies” to support the validity of footwear analysis, and that “microscopic hair examination” is not valid or reliable, among other findings.