Can DNA evidence be wrong? You bet. Although it is a sophisticated science, it is still performed by human beings. Sometimes, people make mistakes – and some people make more mistakes than others. At issue is a Texas crime lab that “so consistently and egregiously...
Challenging DNA Evidence
Should the police be allowed to access newborns’ DNA?
Our DNA contains a tremendous amount of sensitive, personal information. Not only about us, but about our family members. It can tell us who we’re related to, whether we have genetic disorders and even how likely we are to get certain cancers. According to one study,...
2 states pass laws to limit police use of genealogy data
Did you know that taking a genetic genealogy test could result in your DNA being uploaded to a national, searchable database that police could use to accuse you of a crime? Worse, it’s not just you who is at risk. The entry of your DNA into such a database exposes...
3 more forensic labs around the country caught up in scandal
As a society, we must trust state forensic labs to accurately test evidence. They are supposed to be neutral, not agents for the prosecution or police. They have ethical standards. Too often, forensic labs have failed us. When they do, it can result in wrongful...
Should police be allowed to collect your ‘abandoned’ DNA without your consent or a warrant?
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures by government agents such as police. It is among our primary sources of constitutional protection against government overreach and surveillance. This is because, in criminal...
Do jurors fall for the ‘CSI effect’?
Forensic science isn’t nearly as straightforward and foolproof as it seems on television crime shows like “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” Unfortunately, many jurors may not know that. Are they expecting results like those produced on the show? Can they disregard...
Innocent man held in jail for 3 years on DNA mix-up
When it comes down to it, one of the most unfair aspects of our criminal justice system may be that people are held before trial. Some of those people -- many of those people -- are completely innocent. Unfortunately, bail can be assessed in part on the apparent...
When an FBI examiner misstates DNA evidence, what should happen?
Although DNA evidence can seem very convincing, forensic examiners make mistakes. They can run the test incorrectly. They can miss cross-contamination by other DNA. They can misstate the scientific certainty of their findings.When an FBI forensic examiner makes such a...
Is collecting DNA evidence that easy?
Recently, a New Mexico newspaper and the Associated Press covered what sounded like a light-hearted story. Apparently, someone attempted an armed robbery a Pizza Hut store in Las Cruces.The police reviewed surveillance tapes but were apparently unable to identify the...
Genetic genealogy database leads to exoneration of Idaho man
We've discussed on this blog how genealogy databases like GEDmatch warehouse the DNA results of huge numbers of people who have taken part in genetic testing for genealogy purposes.GEDmatch and similar databases collect DNA profiles from 23andMe, Ancestry.com and...