PUBLISHER'S VIEW: The final report of the Texas Forensic Science Commission drives home the disturbing conclusion that bad forensic science methods were not only in use in Texas for many years - but still may be in use today. The report has understandingly called for a retroactive review of more than 700 arson cases whic will hopefully identify any tainted arson prosecutions like the tragic Cameron Todd Willingham case - which involves the execution of an innocent man - - and allow miscarriages of justice to be corrected as much as possible. But one would have to be hopelessly naive to believe that the archaic arson investigation methods used in Texas under the guise of science were confined to the State of Texas. There is, I fear, a strong likelihood that similar flawed arson detection methods have been used in many other, if not all U.S. states in the past several decades, and other countries, including Canada, as well. This is a forensic nightmare come true with global implications: Exposure of a flawed, once widely accepted forensic investigative tool, which now has been proven to be terribly flawed. - The alarm bells are deafening.
HAROLD LEVY; PUBLISHER; THE CHARLES SMITH BLOG;
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PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at:
http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmithInformation on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at:
http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.htmlHarold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com;
