Bite-mark evidence: (1): Dallas Morning News says ban on bite-mark evidence would be a welcome step against junk science; "Shockingly, members of the American Board of Forensic Odontology, which oversees the practice of bite mark analysis, continue to defend its validity. They say it can be particularly useful as evidence in child abuse cases. But there’s no getting around the studies finding that bite-mark analysis has not stood up to scientific challenges. And consider: If this evidence is being used to put the wrong people in prison, that means the real culprits of these heinous crimes are still running around among us.........The review was prompted, in part, by the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham based on highly suspect arson science that supposedly linked Willingham to the deaths of his three daughters. The state has an obligation to track down cases where there were errors in the system, for the sake of victims and the wrongfully accused. Junk science should not be allowed to corrupt justice."

EDITORIAL:  "Ban on bite-mark evidence would be welcome step against junk science," published by the Dallas Morning News on February 16, 2016.

PHOTO CAPTION:  Research scientists at the University at Buffalo demonstrate a modified Vise-Grip tool attached to a dental mold that is used for test bites in skin. Critics of bite mark analysis, including the National Academy of Sciences, say the procedure is based on unproven assumptions that lead to unreliable conclusions that shouldn’t be relied on to imprison people.

GIST: "There’s no way to make up for the years wasted behind bars by inmates wrongfully convicted of crimes they didn’t commit. So it is gratifying to see the Texas Forensic Science Commission take giant step toward ridding Texas courtrooms of some junk science that could prompt such miscarriages of justice in the future. The commission — realizing there are serious questions about whether bite marks can be accurately used to pinpoint perpetrators — has recommended a moratorium on the use of such analysis until scientific and reliable criteria can be developed. That’s the most responsible thing to do, given that the evidence has proven weak and of suspect value. Texas should take a bow as the first state in the nation to recommend such a ban; experts say it could lead other states to follow. As Richard Alpert, commission member and Tarrant County assistant district attorney, said, it’s better to face the absence of this analysis in court than to risk it being used in the wrong way. That comes woefully late for Dallas’ Steven Mark Chaney, who was freed in October after spending more than 25 years behind bars when the bite mark evidence used to convict him of murder was discredited. And, as this evidence has been used for decades across the country to identify suspects in violent crimes, it stands to reason there may be many more cases out there. Shockingly, members of the American Board of Forensic Odontology, which oversees the practice of bite mark analysis, continue to defend its validity. They say it can be particularly useful as evidence in child abuse cases. But there’s no getting around the studies finding that bite-mark analysis has not stood up to scientific challenges. And consider: If this evidence is being used to put the wrong people in prison, that means the real culprits of these heinous crimes are still running around among us.........The review was prompted, in part, by the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham based on highly suspect arson science that supposedly linked Willingham to the deaths of his three daughters. The state has an obligation to track down cases where there were errors in the system, for the sake of victims and the wrongfully accused. Junk science should not be allowed to corrupt justice."

The entire editorial can be found at:

http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20160216-editorial-ban-on-bite-mark-evidence-would-be-a-welcome-step-against-junk-science.ece

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: 
 
Dear Reader. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog. We are following this case.
 
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/charlessmith

Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at:
 
http://smithforensic.blogspot.ca/2013/12/the-charles-smith-award-presented-to_28.html

Harold Levy: Publisher;