STORY: "Reputable DNA analyses program slammed by former lab manager: Dr. Eli Shapiro, a retired DNA testing trainor who worked at the city office of Chief Medical Examiner, said the Forensic Statistical Tool used by the lab is not scientifically sound," by reporter Shayna Jacobs, published by the Daily News on June 2, 2013.
GIST: "A once-lauded DNA analysis program is so flawed that its evidence should not be admissible in trials, a former lab manager testified last week. Dr. Eli Shapiro, a retired DNA testing trainer at the beleaguered city Office of Chief Medical Examiner, said the program, called the Forensic Statistical Tool, is not scientifically sound. The main problem is that mixed DNA samples from crime scenes are often degraded or too small, making it difficult to separate out a single person’s DNA. The program produces probabilities — based on guesstimates — and does not account for other potential curveballs, Shapiro said..........Shapiro, who left the medical examiner’s office in 2011, said he was “concerned about the idea that a (FST) analysis is exonerating people and determining guilt or innocence. His testimony is part of a major challenge brought by the Legal Aid Society over the Forensic Statistical Tool and testing that involves small amounts of DNA."
The entire story can be found at:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/reputable-dna-program-slammed-ex-lab-manager-article-1.1361345
Dear reader: Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog. We are following developments relating to the legal challenge to the Forensic Statistical Tool.
I have added a search box for content in this blog which now encompasses several thousand posts. The search box is located near the bottom of the screen just above the list of links. I am confident that this powerful search tool provided by "Blogger" will help our readers and myself get more out of the site.
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/
Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at:
http://smithforensic.blogspot.
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.
