DOJ/FBI probe into thousands of cases involving possibly questionable hair and fibre analysis. The Canadian (Manitoba) experience may well be useful.

Publisher's Note: In view of the recent decision of the U.S. Justice Department to review possible thousands of criminal cases which may have been tainted by dubious hair and fibre testing, the Canadian experience may well be of interest. An article by Professor Bruce MacFarlane on several miscarriages of justice which caused a review of hair analysis related cases in Manitoba sets out the background - and the results of the review beautifully. Click on the following link which will take you to a list of some of Professor MacFarlane's articles. Then click on the link to the last article on the list "Wrongful convictions: Determining culpability when the sands keep shifting." Once in the article scroll down to page 9B starting with the heading "Forensic microscopy: Hair comparison."

http://www.canadiancriminallaw.com/articles_toc.htm

PUBLISHER'S NOTE:

I am monitoring these issues. Keep your eye on The Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments.

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

Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com

Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog.