bad moon rising

While finalizing his thought provoking article on the psyche of JonBenet Ramsey's killer, our author FleaStiff pointed out a field of study "forensic astrology". Never heard of it but I choked at the use of forensic in tandem with astrology and odds are that cagey FleaStiff knew that this would be like catnip for yours truly.

Many people, myself included, generally or loosely interpret the word 'forensic' as the intersection of science and law when in fact, according to MW, 'forensic' includes what is suitable for public discussion and debate. Arguable. Rhetorical.

Google serves up hundreds of forensic astrologers listings. Amanda Knox is one high in search rankings, who's website displays an incredibly respectable tag line that reads "The art of solving mysteries with the movements of stars and planets".

Chart of missing Madeleine McCann:

I do wonder what would happen if all the so called 'forensic experts' lobbing their opinions on major media or in courtrooms - to investigations of murders like JonBenet's - were as upfront and honest as Amanda. (Or when the NAS and AAFS become successful in setting and executing standards)

Art and qualitative opinions used to aid investigations or answer judicial questions are not science, although many so termed 'forensic experts' may apply some components of various sciences to arrive at highly educated or experienced best guesses. Bottom line is they may be right or they could be wrong. One ever present and easy to spot give away is these type 'forensic experts' cannot demonstrate error or accuracy rates of their predictions or conclusions in an objective quantitative manner.

I am not big on phsychics or astrology, although admittedly toyed with these notions now and then over the years but the net ends up as an exercise in self-gratification. Surprisingly however, I have a new found respect for 'forensic astrology' in those practioners like Amanda Knox who seems forthright in her mission and deliverables as an art, as oppossed to junk science declarations disguised as legally pertinent or relevant.