One of the important aspects of being an accredited crime lab is peer review. Apparently, a supervisor either wasn’t reviewing cases, or didn’t review to the satisfaction of the lab director.
One of those disciplined is Dirk Janssen, the chemistry supervisor at the state crime lab.
In an August reprimand, lab Director Jana Champion accused Janssen
[Continue Reading Wisconsin Crime Lab Supervisor Reprimanded...]
So the Wisconsin DOC was outsmarted by an in-custody prisoner, who had other people donate DNA samples and and fingerprints.
“We have reason to believe that Walter Ellis convinced another inmate to give a DNA sample and an accompanying fingerprint of the other inmate because he did not want to give a sample for
[Continue Reading Wisconsin Department of Corrections Outsmarted by Convict...]
The Wisconsin Department of Justice doesn’t seem to get what Melendez-Diaz is about. It’s not about someone being in court to “read” the results, it’s about being able to effectively cross-examine the actual analyst who performed the tests specific to the case at trial.
“We don’t think the Melendez-Diaz decision will have a significant impact
[Continue Reading Wisconsin Department of Justice doesn’t “get it”...]