Science News – May 30, 2013

Massachusetts man who was released because of recent lab scandal is charged with murder, Texas legislators aim to build a model Forensic Science Commission by expanding Commission’s authority, and a forensic psychologist describes the fallibility of human memory. Here is this week’s forensic news:

 

A defendant, who was released from prison last fall because an analyst allegedly mishandled drug evidence at a Massachusetts crime lab, has

been charged with murder that occurred earlier this week

.

 

In Texas, legislators aim to grant the Forensic Science Commission the ability to

review more labs and additional forensic disciplines than originally allowed

. Since the commission has proven effective at thoroughly investigating various labs, the legislation hopes to create a model for the rest of the criminal justice system throughout the nation.

 

In a recent TED Talk, a forensic psychologist explains how

human memory is fallible and selective even while remembering events during a crime

. With all the potential problems related to memory, a more scientific approach to using memory as trial evidence is recommended.

 

Southern University at New Orleans in Louisiana will start a new undergraduate forensic science program that will

partner with the local law enforcement community

. The university hopes the program will provide qualified individuals to work in forensic science in the region as job growth is expected to rise 20% over the next six years.