Colorado develops a new forensic science research center, crime labs in Texas are overcoming backlog, and experts suggest caution with testimony on fingerprint evidence. Here’s this week’s round up of forensic news:
The St. Paul crime lab in Minnesota, which suspended drug testing in July for lack of protocols, is now
under scrutiny for similar issues with its fingerprint analysis
. Currently the lab has “no standard operating procedures or formal protocols” that guide how fingerprints are analyzed.
To overcome a backlog of forensic evidence at state crime labs, the Texas Department of Public Safety will
prioritize the testing of drug and blood-alcohol evidence in felony cases
. As a result, crime labs will only analyze drug and blood-alcohol evidence for misdemeanors if a prosecutor requests a lab report.
The Colorado Mesa University continues building a new Forensic Investigation Research Station that will house research space, labs and classrooms. The new facility,
the fifth of its kind in the country
, will conduct original forensic research including decomposition.
Various legal and science experts across the country are
examining the limits of using fingerprint evidence in court
. As studies are only underway to determine how fingerprints vary within populations, experts suggest that testimony should not guarantee accuracy, provide statistics, or comment on print uniqueness as of yet.
Though the FBI adopted new Rapid DNA technology that allows DNA field testing,
it will be some time before it passes National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards
and can be used by public law enforcement. Additionally, the DNA Identification Act of 1994, which only allows accredited labs to test DNA, does not extend to the new technology.
News 09.27.12
Science Thursday – September 27, 2012
Share this story
Help us advocate for the innocent by sharing the latest news from the Innocence Project.
Follow us on Instagram
Featured news
The Fierce Urgency of Now
The Innocence Project Executive Director looks at the challenges of the current criminal legal landscape and urgent need for action.
News09.12.22
The Fierce Urgency of Now
Former Innocence Project Attorney Nina Morrison Became a Judge This Week. Here’s Why It Matters to the Criminal Legal System.
This week, the Innocence Project’s former senior litigation counsel, Nina Morrison, was sworn in as a United States District Judge for ...
News09.01.22
Former Innocence Project Attorney Nina Morrison Became a Judge This Week. Here’s Why It Matters to the Criminal Legal System.
Remembering Bill Russell
It is a good sign for our country that the outpouring of affection and admiration for Bill Russell emphasizes his crucial role in the ...
News08.02.22
Remembering Bill Russell
Loading...
Thanks for your comment
Thank you for visiting us. You can learn more about how we consider cases here. Please avoid sharing any personal information in the comments below and join us in making this a hate-speech free and safe space for everyone.