The Bite Mark Dentists and the Counterattack on Forensic Science Reform

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marvin Zalman ◽  
James Windell
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
Science Reform ◽  
Bite Mark

The Uncertain Future of Forensic Science

Daedalus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 147 (4) ◽  
pp. 99-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Mnookin
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
National Commission ◽  
Current State ◽  
Tool Mark ◽  
Bite Mark ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Forensic Scientists ◽  
Uncertain Future ◽  
Courtroom Testimony ◽  
Institutional Stakeholders

Forensic science is at a crossroads. In the last two decades, often-used forms of pattern evidence, such as fingerprint, tool mark, and bite mark identification, have faced significant criticism for lacking adequate scientific validation or proven reliability. Is this the beginning of a sea change, signaling the rise of a science-based, empirically grounded approach to these forms of evidence, both in the courtroom and in the crime laboratory? Or has the increased attention produced Band-Aids rather than meaningful and lasting cures? This essay argues that the current state of forensic science reform is both “half empty” and “half full.” Looking first at bite mark evidence, then at modifications in the language used by forensic scientists for their courtroom testimony, and, finally, at the creation and the elimination of the National Commission on Forensic Science, this essay argues that we have thus far seen modest and meaningful – but far from adequate or transformative – reform. Our best hope for sustained, substantial changes necessary for improving forensic science evidence within our system of justice requires the creation of another national commission or other institutional body, made up of both research scientists and other institutional stakeholders, and situated as to prevent “capture” by either forensic practitioners or advocates within our adversarial system.

The role of forensic dentistry in forensic science: issues and validity?

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 198-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cath Adams
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
Forensic Dentistry ◽  
Bite Mark ◽  
Scientific Foundation ◽  
The Subject

Recently, the scientific foundation of forensic disciplines has been called into question and the subject of bite mark comparison in particular has been recognised as being particularly troubling.

scholarly journals Cabining Judicial Discretion Over Forensic Evidence with a New Special Relevance Rule

2018 ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
Emma Shoucair
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Forensic Science ◽  
Judicial Discretion ◽  
Forensic Evidence ◽  
Criminal Trials ◽  
Science Reform ◽  
Rules Of Evidence ◽  
Federal Rules Of Evidence ◽  
Special Relevance

Modern forensic evidence suffers from a number of flaws, including insufficient scientific grounding, exaggerated testimony, lack of uniform best practices, and an inefficacious standard for admission that regularly allows judges to admit scientifically unsound evidence. This Note discusses these problems, lays out the current landscape of forensic science reform, and suggests the addition of a new special relevance rule to the Federal Rules of Evidence (and similar rules in state evidence codes). This proposed rule would cabin judicial discretion to admit non-DNA forensic evidence by barring prosecutorial introduction of such evidence in criminal trials absent a competing defense expert or a high showing of scientific viability.

Sem/X-Ray Applications to the Forensic Science Field

1976 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 390-391
Author(s):  
K. Culbreth
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
Depth Of Field ◽  
Surface Phenomena ◽  
Criminal Cases ◽  
Forensic Evidence ◽  
Science Field ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Hit And Run ◽  
Evaluation Of Evidence ◽  
Scanning Electron

The introduction of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis to forensic science has provided additional methods by which investigative evidence can be analyzed. The importance of evidence from the scene of a crime or from the personal belongings of a victim and suspect has resulted in the development and evaluation of SEM/x-ray analysis applications to various types of forensic evidence. The intent of this paper is to describe some of these applications and to relate their importance to the investigation of criminal cases.The depth of field and high resolution of the SEM are an asset to the evaluation of evidence with respect to surface phenomena and physical matches (1). Fig. 1 shows a Phillips screw which has been reconstructed after the head and shank were separated during a hit-and-run accident.

Forensic Identifications Aided by Scanning Electron Microscopy of Silicone-Epoxy Microreplicas of Calcified and Cornified Structures

1975 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 678-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.F. Sognnaes
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Forensic Science ◽  
George Washington ◽  
Epithelial Surface ◽  
Extended Application ◽  
Tissue Surfaces ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Scanning Electron ◽  
Surface Changes

Sufficient experience has been gained during the past five years to suggest an extended application of microreplication and scanning electron microscopy to problems of forensic science. The author's research was originally initiated with a view to develop a non-destructive method for identification of materials that went into objects of art, notably ivory and ivories. This was followed by a very specific application to the identification and duplication of the kinds of materials from animal teeth and tusks which two centuries ago went into the fabrication of the ivory dentures of George Washington. Subsequently it became apparent that a similar method of microreplication and SEM examination offered promise for a whole series of problems pertinent to art, technology and science. Furthermore, what began primarily as an application to solid substances has turned out to be similarly applicable to soft tissue surfaces such as mucous membranes and skin, even in cases of acute, chronic and precancerous epithelial surface changes, and to post-mortem identification of specific structures pertinent to forensic science.

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