Faulty Forensics

Bad Science & disproven practices Plague Forensic Science

29% of people who were wrongfully convicted and later exonerated were originally convicted based on misleading or faulty forensic science. Yet convictions due to bad science continue to happen every day. Many people wait in prisons for the chance to prove their innocence.

In 2009, the National Academy of Sciences published “Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States,” which noted that most forensic science disciplines that attempt to match crime scene evidence to suspects rely on subjective judgments by crime lab analysts, without adequate research as to the limits and measures of performance or the effects of potential bias and errors shown to exist in all human observers. The NAS recommended that each forensic science field develop rigorous protocols to guide these analyst interpretations and that they also develop research and evaluation programs.

Single-Source DNA is the Only Reliable Forensic Technique

Single-source and simple mixture nuclear DNA is the only forensic science discipline that has been shown to reliably, and with a high degree of certainty, match a piece of evidence to a specific source. Other disciplines like firearm identification, bloodstain pattern analysis, fingerprints, and shoe print matching lack the reliability and reproducibility to confidently tell us if a person can be linked to a piece of evidence.

We Shine a Light on Bad Forensics

CIFS’s national strategy for improving forensic science integrity involves:

• promoting scientific research into the reliability of various forensic disciplines

• advocating for structural reforms that promote the integrity of forensic laboratories

• educating future lawyers and scientists on sound forensic work

• engaging in direct representation, case consultation, and amicus brief support in cases where forensic science was misused.