sign of the times

In the past year the professional forensic science associations have called for strengthening of forensic practices in an effort to thwart junk science or shoddy practioners so that scientifically reliable, replicable and tested forensic methods are used in investigations and the courtroom. I have been puzzled at how this could happen in what might be a reasonable time frame given the nature and structure of the organizations and their memberships, practical application of standards at a local level aside. Could it be a trend that would quickly place objective, validated and contemporary forensic methods into the hands of local investigators and the legal community come from creation of and greater access to 3rd party facilities?

In June of this year, Bode Technology Group, the lab that continues to be invaluable with 911 victim DNA analysis and performed the touch DNA process on JonBenet Ramsey's clothing, opened the first independent forensic lab in the US. Today, Dr. Henry Lee, who assisted with the investigation of JonBenet's murder, is celebrating a groundbreaking ceremony for the new home of the forensic science institute that bears his name--

School has red-letter day

Published in the New Haven Register

by Abbe Smith

"WEST HAVEN — It was a big day at the University of New Haven Friday with the dedication of the new $43 million “green” dormitory and the groundbreaking for the much-anticipated Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science...

The $9.4 million facility, expected to be completed in fall 2010, will house a forensic crisis management command center, an interactive forensics museum, a crime scene learning center, laboratories and classrooms. The institute will have on hand state-of-the-art forensic equipment including ground-penetrating radar for locating buried bodies, a high-intensity laser for bullet-trajectory reconstruction and portable instruments for chemical and biological analysis...

Speakers at the ceremony stressed that the institute’s greatest asset is Lee, himself, an internationally renowned forensic scientist who has assisted in the investigation of thousands of crimes, including the O.J. Simpson case, the John F. Kennedy assassination, the murder of JonBenet Ramsey in Boulder, Colo., and the Chandra Levy murder investigation...[read more]

About the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science

The Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science links scholars, forensic scientists, the legal community, and professional practitioners of many fields in addressing the scientific and social issues confronting forensic science and the criminal justice system throughout the world.

wong about Patsy

I noticed in the Entertainment section of PR-Inside, Cina Wong a handwriting expert that worked on a civil case that arose from the murder of JonBenet Ramsey will be guest on Talk Forensics. The show airs Sunday at 4PM on blog talk radio. Too bad, I wont be able to make it but if I was able to I would have several questions for Ms. Wong. Since Ms. Wong's CV is only available by request here are some questions off the cuff; perhaps she ot the show host, Larry Daniel will pop by and try to answer these for us:

Where did Ms. Wong receive her education?

What does the certification process look like to become a "Board Certified Document Examiner"

What 'board' and where can we find more information about the "CDE".

In what scientific journals may find peer reviewed research on Ms. Wong's 'forensic' methods?

What kind of independent validation testing has been performed on Ms. Wong's method?

Where can we locate litigation independent validation of Ms. Wong's methods and findings?

What sort of method of method replication documentation is available for review?

What are the possible error rates of Ms, Wong's method and where can we locate the underlying statistical analysis?

Was Ms. Wong admitted, restricted or excluded in the case Wolf v Ramsey?

Where may we find a courtroom history and itemization of Ms Wong's expert testimony as admitted, rejected, restricted or rebutted under Daubert and Frye?

Here's the announcement--

Forensic Handwriting and Forgery Expert Cina Wong is this weeks guest on Talk Forensics

"CINA WONG, Forensic Handwriting and Forgery Expert To Be On Talk Forensics This Sunday, September 13th at 4pm eastern..."

About the Show:

The purpose of our show is to educate and entertain the public on the various fields of forensic science, crime scene investigation, missing person searches and various aspects of the legal system as it relates to forensic science. You can call (646) 727-3674 and ask questions of our Expert Guest during the live show. About our host: The host of our show is Larry E. Daniel. Larry is the primary expert for Guardian Digital Forensics. Larry is well known for his work on capital cases and is an expert in computer forensics. Larry also writes a popular internet blog on forensics at http://www.exforensis.blogspot.com/

The show airs on www.blogtalkradio.com/TalkForensics each Sunday at 4PM Eastern. Shows will be available soon after on iTunes as pod casts."

safety on the Hill

The one time family home of JonBenet Ramsey in the University Hill district of Boulder, CO was once again the center of controversy due to violence and safety issues. This time due to vandalism and violence over UC football game weekends. The Hill is a little bit sleepy and quaint as an upscale family neighborhood, intermixed with frats and sororities, student housing, churches and commercial business.

Residents expressed their serious concerns as Boulder Police Chief Beckner's reaction to the game day disorder in one breath stated his department takes the situation seriously and in the next breath claimed these events were routine, normal. Giving Beckner the benefit of a potential media misquote in the article below could be a challenge for some, considering some of the statements and actions (or lack of them) regarding JonBenet's case, one of if not not the most violent on the Hill; certainly the most famous. This article doesn't exactly demonstrate a sense of confidence in safety from the affected residents--

Boulder residents press for more enforcement on Hill
Article in the Daily Camera, Boulder CO
by Erica Meltzer

"Fed-up University Hill residents asked police Wednesday night to crack down on loud, drunken students and demanded to know what the city of Boulder and the University of Colorado plan to do to prevent property damage and violence during this weekend's football game....

The neighborhood meeting was called after a night of loud parties and vandalism Friday -- a night which long-term Hill residents are describing as one of the worst they have experienced that wasn't a riot but which police have characterized as a normal back-to-school weekend night with some "criminal mischief."

More than 50 people filled the community room of Grace Lutheran Church to vent their frustration. The city of Boulder and CU sent top officials, including Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner, CU Vice Chancellor Frank Bruno and CU Police Chief Joe Roy.

Beckner told residents the department takes problems on the Hill seriously. Of 35 to 40 officers on patrol on a given night, 18 to 20 are assigned to the Hill. The department also increases patrols for the first three weekends back to school. He said some of the information being shared about Friday night was exaggerated...

"This was a serious incident and a violent incident," Hill resident Steve Morgan said. "We feel put on notice. We don't feel safe. We want to know what's going to happen this weekend after the game."



University Hill photo: Adain Grey