FSN: Forensic Science News » DUI

Nassau County Crime Lab Woes Lead to New Trials

Forensics Guy — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:00:01 +0000

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Criminal defense attorneys are well aware it’s crucial in a forensic laboratory for proper protocols to be followed. Analysts are also being held accountable for their work product. Gone are the days of sheltering analysts from cross-examination by having a more senior employee testify on their behalf.

Problems of these types are

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Popular Breath Alcohol Testing Device Defective

Forensics Guy — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:00:57 +0000

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After a design flaw was detected by the Ventura County Crime lab, the local Prosecutor’s office took appropriate steps. The Department of Motor Vehicles is still suspending licenses based on faulty breath devices.

Kelsie Brooks believes a breathalyzer error was responsible for the DUI conviction she says is ruining her life.

The 22-year-old Moorpark

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DUI Blood Alcohol Results Tossed by Court as Unreliable

Forensics Guy — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:00:26 +0000

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Remember that 2009 NAS Report? One of the things it mentioned forensic labs were failing to do, was to report uncertainty of measurement. Other fields in science do it routinely — environmental, medical, industry etc.

In forensic cases, especially DUI cases with blood alcohol results, the report usually lists one of

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Four Loko

Forensics Guy — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:30:02 +0000

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I was watching a news story on the local CBS affiliate KPHO where the reporter was talking about an apparently highly popular alcoholic “Energy Drink” named Four Loko.

Basically what we have is a manufacturer who has taken the popular Vodka and Red Bull mixed drink, and put it into a single can at

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Michigan Chief Toxicologist Admits BAC Results Lack Error Rate

Forensics Guy — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:39:49 +0000

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A recent story on DUIAttorney.com highlights what many forensics labs fail to do — report their error rate.

None of the labs in Arizona report the error clearly in their official reports, even though the recents National Academy Of Science report indicated they should.

Most labs in Arizona even use a forensic software application that

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Colorado Springs Metro Crime Lab Blood Alcohol Results WRONG.

Forensics Guy — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:00:31 +0000

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Numerous news sources in Colorado are reporting about a series of erroneously high blood alcohol results in DUI cases that were reported by the crime lab. The Colorado Gazette published the following:

Prosecutors have begun contacting lawyers for 82 defendants whose drunken driving charges were based in part upon incorrect blood alcohol tests

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Washington State Gains Breath-Testing Calibration Solution Certification

Forensics Guy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:05 +0000

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After having cases thrown out of court due to improper procedures in certifying breath testing standards, the State of Washington’s crime lab now has certification by the Association of Crime Laboratory Directors.

Breathalyzers are calibrated with a special solution created by the state toxicology lab.

Two years ago, when it was discovered the lab manager

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Prosecutor’s Error Gets Man off of Manslaughter?

Forensics Guy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:28 +0000

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Poor communication to the crime lab is VERY common in my experience. In one of the labs that I used to work, it was not uncommon for lab staff to toil away on cases that had already pled out, or even been adjudicated, but the lab was never told by prosecutors or

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US Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Drunk Driving Case

Forensics Guy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:09 +0000

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The US Supreme Court was asked to review a case out of Virginia which dealt with whether police had the right to pull drivers over based on anonymous tips. The court decided not to hear the case, letting stand a decision in Virginia that requires officers to observe a traffic violation before

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Forensics Guy, Inc. Presenting at the ASU DUI CLE XXIV Seminar

Forensics Guy — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:41:06 +0000

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Forensics Guy, Inc. is proud to announce he is teamed up with prominent DUI Attorney Stephen Barnard to lecture at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law DUI CLE XXIV Seminar on Friday September 25, 2009.

Mr Barnard and I will be presenting information related to blood alcohol analysis. Hope to see you

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Charges dismissed after state lab mix-up

Forensics Guy — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:12:53 +0000

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A forensic scientist’s worst nightmare — getting samples (or sample results) mixed up.

Don’t say it can’t happen, just hope it only happens as rarely as it is discovered/reported. It very well might be much more common.

Original article posted here.

Tooele County prosecutors on Wednesday dismissed automobile homicide charges against a Tooele man after

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Mesa officer could face criminal charges

Forensics Guy — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:58:43 +0000

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If you hadn’t heard about the latest Mesa police officer in trouble for possibly driving under the influence, read the article below. I have no idea if the officer was impaired or not while driving.

I just find it interesting that the Town of Gilbert Police are saying they couldn’t charge him with

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Prototype Scanner Gives Middle Finger To Drunk Driving

Forensics Guy — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:00:59 +0000

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MADD should be able to have a device similar to this one be required in all new automobiles within 5 years — maybe it will be a concession the automakers will have to meet in order to get that federal bail-out money.

Original post located here.

Two students at a Chinese university have invented a

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Driving While Under the Influence of Bread

Forensics Guy — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:19:06 +0000

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Here’s something that’ll make you think twice about eating fast food while driving. The video below shows investigators obtaining an breath alcohol reading of 0.025 from an alcohol-free subject, who recently ate a piece of bread. That’s right, no alcohol in his system, just bread.

It’s a known problem

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