"Arson Science": Han Tak Lee and George Souliotes cases; Frontline examines how new fire science can influence old cases;

STORY: How new fire science is influencing old case," by Gretchen Gavett published by Frontline on February 1, 2012.

GIST: "In the meantime, a number of other cases around the country are receiving new scrutiny. Last Friday, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to review the evidence in the case of Han Tak Lee, a Pennsylvania man who was found guilty of killing his 20-year-old daughter in a 1989 fire. For years, Lee has adamantly denied that he set the fire; he is currently serving a life sentence and several of his appeals have been denied. John Lentini, a renowned fire scientist who served as a consultant on Lee’s case, concluded in a 1999 report that [PDF] “old wives tales were used to convict Han Tak Lee,” and that his “case represents the ultimate triumph of junk science.” Also last week, a California magistrate heard evidence in the case of George Souliotes, who was convicted of murder after allegedly setting his rental property on fire in 1997. His tenants, a woman and her two children, died in the fire, and Souliotes is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. At his trial, the prosecution argued that a flammable substance was found on Souliotes’ shoes and in the debris of the fire. “The shoes tell the tale” was the prosecution’s mantra. But years later, Lentini examined the evidence and found that the substance on the shoes was likely a natural part of the shoe itself, and was chemically different from the liquid found in the debris of the fire. Another expert, Randy Watson, found that the burn patterns — burned holes in the floor and charring — were all characteristics of an accidental fire."

THE ENTIRE STORY CAN BE FOUND AT:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/criminal-justice/death-by-fire/how-new-fire-science-is-influencing-old-cases/

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/charlessmith

Information 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.html

Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com;