Posted on 08/17/2009 6:32:01 PM PDT by decimon
Scientists in Israel have demonstrated that it is possible to fabricate DNA evidence, undermining the credibility of what has been considered the gold standard of proof in criminal cases.
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“Any biology undergraduate could perform this.”
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(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
How convenient for John Edwards.
Watch where you throw that used chewing gum.
I imagine the publishers of the journal “Forensic Science International: Genetics” will become instantly rich as every defense lawyer in the country if not the world will be obtaining the article to use in the defense of his client.
Didn’t James Ellroy already point that out in “Street Kings”?
Sure, anyone with unfettered access to a blood centrifuge, and the equipment, knowledge, and skills to perform genome amplification, then cut the snippets to the exact amount, and mix them to a scientifically perfect degree.
Yeah, I see that all the time.
I was just about to say that.
According to Dr. Frumkin, “Any biology undergraduate could perform this.”
So is “CSI” gonna be cancelled? I don’t care about the “Miami” one, but they should keep the “NY” one. I’d just like the see Horatio Cain’s boss say from behind the sunglasses, “Horatio....you’re....cancelled”.
Yeah, I read that. Scare tactics to help sell their patented method of detection, imho.
The real danger here, isn’t biology students or criminals, it’s over zealous law enforcement and the government, in general.
What they demonstrated isn’t new, and it’s been known for a while, they are highlighting it because they have created a detection method and want to drum up some pre-sale publicity.
Seriously, why do we allow law enforcement to warehouse our DNA? I mean, the Federals Courts have ruled that it’s Constitutional to have mandatory collection of DNA from everyone arrested, but not necessarily convicted, of a felony or sexual assault. It’s getting out of hand.
I wonder how many Unions have access to these facilities and persons holding these skills?
Hmmm, did you know that Detective Vannatter had a vial of OJ’s blood in his pocket for hours:
Fung testified that Detective Philip Vannatter gave him a blood sample taken from Simpson at police headquarters earlier on June 13. Fung said he received the blood from Vannatter in the foyer of Simpson’s home. The vial was in a grey envelope, and he opened it in the foyer to examine it.
When Scheck asked whether this was normal procedure for booking evidence, Fung said, “I can’t remember one instance where that [evidence was transported to him instead of being booked at the Evidence Control Unit] happened.”
ROFLOL, sure, easy to obtain sperm and plant it on the victim. LOL
>>“DNA is a lot easier to plant at a crime scene than fingerprints,” she said.
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>Watch where you throw that used chewing gum.
Indeed... now it’s time to watch Gattaca again.
Kits to create fake fingerprint imprints have been available for a long time. With some kits you end up with a rubber glove that you wear...you moisten it with an oily little rag that comes with the kit and can leave all the prints you like.
I can see some biology geek setting up shop to sell DNA samples like are described in this article.
I suppose you could gather a bunch of hair from the dumpster behind a barber shop/salon and just spread them around a crime scene to sow confusion...what a mess! :-)
“DNA is a lot easier to plant at a crime scene than fingerprints,” she said. “We’re creating a criminal justice system that is increasingly relying on this technology.”
Scary world out there, so become a lawyer and cash on it.
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Thanks decimon. |
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Oh great. The trial lawyers will just love this.
...or go into a smoking lounge while in transit through a major airport and collect used cigarette butts from an ashtray or two.
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