"Justice is a restaurant without a kitchen"
from an anonymous posting on a popular forum
Monday, October 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Strengthening Forensic Science in The United States: A Path Forward
The National Academy of Sciences has just released a prepublication pdf of -
Strengthening Forensic Science in The United States: A Path Forward
This important work has resulted from the collaboration of scholars from multiple disciplines leading to 13 recommendations for the improvement of forensic science in the US.
It is available from The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C. www.nap.edu
The National Academy of Sciences has just released a prepublication pdf of -
Strengthening Forensic Science in The United States: A Path Forward
This important work has resulted from the collaboration of scholars from multiple disciplines leading to 13 recommendations for the improvement of forensic science in the US.
It is available from The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C. www.nap.edu
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Contact Page in WebSite
The contact page in my website - http://www.mmstoddart.com/ has not been working for some time but has just now come to my attention. My apologies. Anyone wishing to send me a message please do so via this blog or my email margaret@nativefusion.com
Sorry for the trouble.
The contact page in my website - http://www.mmstoddart.com/ has not been working for some time but has just now come to my attention. My apologies. Anyone wishing to send me a message please do so via this blog or my email margaret@nativefusion.com
Sorry for the trouble.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Homicide?
How can a man be convicted of homicide when no homicide was proven?
The medical examiner failed to prove that a homicide occurred.
The medical examiner misunderstood wound ballistics. He wrote on the autopsy report that the manner of death was homicide without scientific evidence. The medical examiner misapplied a ballistics test and ruled on a manner of death in the absence of scientific fact and contrary to scientific knowledge… with disastrous results.
Does this matter today? Should we care? Is there any benefit to be gained from correcting that error now? How many lives would it affect? Is that even a gauge we should use when deciding if it is worth fixing?
We are not talking about expensive forensic testing. Just a common sense look at known facts of wound ballistics available to anyone who cares to do a little internet research and … SHAZAM!! there it is. Proof of error. Not just a small error. An error that cost a man his freedom for life. His family’s honor. The victim’s family’s peace of mind. And on and on and on.
Now what?
Should the forensic science community be concerned with upholding its integrity? Should the justice community be concerned with repairing the errors it committed while trusting the forensic community?
Should the people, when made aware of this error, expect it to be corrected?
How can a man be convicted of homicide when no homicide was proven?
The medical examiner failed to prove that a homicide occurred.
The medical examiner misunderstood wound ballistics. He wrote on the autopsy report that the manner of death was homicide without scientific evidence. The medical examiner misapplied a ballistics test and ruled on a manner of death in the absence of scientific fact and contrary to scientific knowledge… with disastrous results.
Does this matter today? Should we care? Is there any benefit to be gained from correcting that error now? How many lives would it affect? Is that even a gauge we should use when deciding if it is worth fixing?
We are not talking about expensive forensic testing. Just a common sense look at known facts of wound ballistics available to anyone who cares to do a little internet research and … SHAZAM!! there it is. Proof of error. Not just a small error. An error that cost a man his freedom for life. His family’s honor. The victim’s family’s peace of mind. And on and on and on.
Now what?
Should the forensic science community be concerned with upholding its integrity? Should the justice community be concerned with repairing the errors it committed while trusting the forensic community?
Should the people, when made aware of this error, expect it to be corrected?
Monday, September 15, 2008
Truth In Justice
The Forensic Examiner, The Journal of the American College of Forensic Examiners, has an interesting article in its current issue, Volume 17 Number 3 Fall 2008. (Available at Chapters stores in Canada.) Written by John Lechliter, editor in chief, the piece deals with the Truth in Justice organization and its web site, www.truthinjustice.org run by Sheila Berry and her husband Doug.
With over 1600 pages of material on cases of wrongful conviction the site is well worth visiting and according to The Forensic Examiner, it has drawn the attention of network producers looking for related news stories.
The Forensic Examiner, The Journal of the American College of Forensic Examiners, has an interesting article in its current issue, Volume 17 Number 3 Fall 2008. (Available at Chapters stores in Canada.) Written by John Lechliter, editor in chief, the piece deals with the Truth in Justice organization and its web site, www.truthinjustice.org run by Sheila Berry and her husband Doug.
With over 1600 pages of material on cases of wrongful conviction the site is well worth visiting and according to The Forensic Examiner, it has drawn the attention of network producers looking for related news stories.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
There are no facts, only interpretations. —Nietzsche
It's been a few weeks since I updated this blog. I have been considering the best means of continuing to discuss my book without causing distress to those I care about.
I love and respect Edith Roberts. She is an amazing person who suffered greatly over the death of her first husband and teenage son. The release of my book was expected to help her deal with it by telling her story.
As it turned out, I found many very serious problems with the investigation and trial that I could not ignore. They included legal consequences for other people affected by the case. I decided to include all of the social justice issues and not confine the book to the Roberts family experience.
The Roberts family in West Virginia and Virginia do not accept my interpretation of the evidence. Clearly only those who have lost a loved one to violence could understand the emotions it inflamed.
I delivered a message, an opinion, based on extensive study, backed by academic research. I never met Glenn (David) or Timmy so cannot say firsthand what choices they may have made in stressful situations. My analysis of the case was from that of a distant observer with only the documented evidence to study. Each reader will choose what to accept and what to reject.
I wish the message could have been more comforting or uplifting. I wish it could have matched the Roberts family expectations. I wrote what I found and what my mind told me was logical and probable.
I am deeply sorry for the family’s loss.
It's been a few weeks since I updated this blog. I have been considering the best means of continuing to discuss my book without causing distress to those I care about.
I love and respect Edith Roberts. She is an amazing person who suffered greatly over the death of her first husband and teenage son. The release of my book was expected to help her deal with it by telling her story.
As it turned out, I found many very serious problems with the investigation and trial that I could not ignore. They included legal consequences for other people affected by the case. I decided to include all of the social justice issues and not confine the book to the Roberts family experience.
The Roberts family in West Virginia and Virginia do not accept my interpretation of the evidence. Clearly only those who have lost a loved one to violence could understand the emotions it inflamed.
I delivered a message, an opinion, based on extensive study, backed by academic research. I never met Glenn (David) or Timmy so cannot say firsthand what choices they may have made in stressful situations. My analysis of the case was from that of a distant observer with only the documented evidence to study. Each reader will choose what to accept and what to reject.
I wish the message could have been more comforting or uplifting. I wish it could have matched the Roberts family expectations. I wrote what I found and what my mind told me was logical and probable.
I am deeply sorry for the family’s loss.
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