Probabilistic Genotyping on Trial: Can We Trust the Secret Algorithms Deciding Guilt? by Michael Thompson DNA evidence has long been hailed as the gold standard of forensic science—unassailable, precise, and definitive. But what happens when that gold standard is processed through proprietary algorithms that operate in secrecy, shielded from scrutiny …

by Eike Blohm, MD FATAL ENCOUNTERS WITH POLICE OCCUR in the U.S. with disturbing frequency, setting us apart from other Western industrial nations. A recent study published in the Annual Review of Criminology explores the drivers behind this American exce by Jordan Arizmendi by Jordan Arizmendi In a study by …

Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Exigent Circumstances Exception Does Not Justify Police’s Warrantless Seizure of Suspect’s Blood Sample by Hospital Staff by Jacob Barrett by Jacob Barrett The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania upheld a Superior Court’s decision that a blood sample taken by hospital staff must be suppressed because neither the exigent …

Wisconsin Supreme Court Announces Incapacitated Driver Provision of Implied Consent Statute Unconstitutional by Douglas Ankney by Douglas Ankney The Supreme Court of Wisconsin affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeals (“COA”) that had held the incapacitated driver provision of Wisconsin’s implied consent statute, Wis. Stat, § 343.305(3)(b), is unconstitutional …

Physics Offers New Perspective on Blood Spatter Investigations by Michael Fortino, Ph.D by Michael Fortino, Ph.D. Blood Spatter Analysis (“BPA”) for years has been a state of the art, highly-sophisticated forensic consideration in determining the trajectory and origin of a crime scene gunshot, yet recent advancements in physics have now …

Kentucky Supreme Court: Blood Test Refusal Inadmissible as Evidence in DUI Case Even to Explain Why Prosecution Has No Scientific Evidence of Intoxication by Matthew Clarke by Matt Clarke The Supreme Court of Kentucky held that a refusal to submit to a warrantless blood test could not be used as …

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Announces Blood Alcohol Test Results From Blood Drawn Under Court Order but Without Consent Is Inadmissible by Matthew Clarke by Matt Clarke The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts held that consent to testing and analysis is required for the results of a blood alcohol test to …