Amy Pollpeter; Iowa; Officials are conducting an independent review of the work of this forensic scientist who was recently fired after expressing her fears about black people on social media, the DesMoines Register reports..."Iowa Department of Public Safety Spokesman Alex Murphy said such reviews are a common practice after the departure of any forensic scientist."..." Pollpeter, like other criminalists performing DNA analysis for the state, was provided with some information about her cases, including possibly the race and gender of individuals, Murphy said. A policy adviser for the Innocence Project, a well-known national group that works with DNA to exonerate wrongly convicted people, noted Pollpeter's situation as an example of why law enforcement agencies and their criminalists are increasingly being encouraged to adopt "blind" testing procedures. During such tests, key details about cases are withheld from forensic scientists to prevent even the perception that biases might have played a role in their findings. The National Commission on Forensic Science, a part of the U.S. Department of Justice, endorsed the concept last year."

STORY: "Iowa will recheck fired forensic scientist’s work," by reporter Jason Clayford, published by The Des Moines Register on August 16, 2016.

GIST: "The work of a forensic scientist for the state of Iowa fired this week after expressing her fears about black people on social media will be independently reviewed by another criminalist, state officials said Friday. Iowa Department of Public Safety spokesman Alex Murphy said such reviews are a common practice after the departure of any forensic scientist. Guy Cook, a Des Moines attorney and past president of the Iowa State Bar Association, called on the Public Safety department to thoroughly review Pollpeter's analyses and findings, particularly for pending cases. “The cloud that would be over her work in any criminal case would open the door to question whether the state has proven a case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Cook said. “That cloud can’t be removed unless her work is done independently and a simple recheck is not satisfactory because of the public statements she has made.” Pollpeter, like other criminalists performing DNA analysis for the state, was provided with some information about her cases, including possibly the race and gender of individuals, Murphy said. A policy adviser for the Innocence Project, a well-known national group that works with DNA to exonerate wrongly convicted people, noted Pollpeter's situation as an example of why law enforcement agencies and their criminalists are increasingly being encouraged to adopt "blind" testing procedures. During such tests, key details about cases are withheld from forensic scientists to prevent even the perception that biases might have played a role in their findings. The National Commission on Forensic Science, a part of the U.S. Department of Justice, endorsed the concept last year. “The views expressed by the examiner are unfortunate. They are offensive,” said Sarah Chu of the Innocence Project. “But regardless of how we might judge what she might have said, it’s critical to recognize that we all come to work with our biases. An effective reform that would protect the forensic product of the lab is to conduct testing blindly.”........."Several Iowa defense attorneys said the systematic rechecks of evidence analyzed by Pollpeter are particularly necessary, given the damaging nature of her remarks. Each agreed that Pollpeter’s comments could be used to establish reasonable doubt in upcoming cases and possibly lead to retrials for people convicted with the use of Pollpeter’s work or testimony."

The entire story can be found at:

 http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/des-moines/2016/07/29/iowa-recheck-fired-forensic-scientists-work/87725218/

See also a related  letter to the editor of the Des Moines Register, byTricia Bushnell, Audrey McGinn and Summer Farrar, published by the Des Moines Register on August 14, 2016, under the heading "Blind forensic testing protects results from bias, which is found at the link below;  "The views expressed by the analyst in this article are hurtful, frightening and sad. This is an opportunity to ask for measures to protect forensic scientists by incorporating blind forensic testing in protocols, which will protect results from racial or social bias (intentional or not), and from the natural functions of the brain that seek to make sense of our observations. This assures unbiased analysts do not have to work in the shadow of mistrust. Blind results can let science speak for itself. "Tricia Bushnell, Director, Midwest Innocence Project; Audrey McGinn, Director, Wrongful Conviction Division of the Iowa State Public Defender; and Summer Farrar, Project Manager, Midwest Innocence Project"
 http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/08/14/blind-forensic-testing-protects-results-bias/88625566/

PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
 
I am monitoring this case. 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;