Part 25: A.G. Jeff Session's war against science/forensics...Four major scientific organizations want "outside scientists" to assess scientific and technical gaps independently of the Department of Justice and vested interests, Forensics Magazine reports..." “We simply do not know whether many forensic practices are reliable or valid scientifically, and in some circumstances forensics practices are demonstrably unreliable,” they write. “Yet the results of many of these forensic disciplines continue to be commonly used as evidence in our courtrooms.” The NCFS served the vital function, the science groups contend, and there should be a similar independent federal advisory committee to provide direct advice to the AG, the DOJ and federal laboratories. Independence from prosecutors and vested interests is key, they add. “The importance of independence from DOJ in this endeavor cannot be overstated,” they write. “The DOJ must not be put in the position of using forensic tools in its role as a prosecutor in federal criminal litigation, while simultaneously determining the scientific value of those same tools.”

STORY: "Science Orgs Ask DOJ to Close ‘Gaps’ in Forensic Knowledge Base," by Senior Science Writer Seth Augenstein, published by Forensic Magazine on June 12, 2017.

GIST: "Four major scientific organizations have asked the U.S. Department of Justice to institute an independent committee to look at the “scientific and technical gaps” in forensic science. Their letter, dated Friday, is in response to the Department of Justice’s call for public comment about the state of forensic science, in the wake of Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ disbanding of the National Commission on Forensic Science in April. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society, the Federation of Association in Behavioral and Brain Sciences and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society write that Sessions and the top federal law enforcement authorities in the country should have outside scientists assessing the reliability of American crime-solving. “We simply do not know whether many forensic practices are reliable or valid scientifically, and in some circumstances forensics practices are demonstrably unreliable,” they write. “Yet the results of many of these forensic disciplines continue to be commonly used as evidence in our courtrooms.” The NCFS served the vital function, the science groups contend, and there should be a similar independent federal advisory committee to provide direct advice to the AG, the DOJ and federal laboratories. Independence from prosecutors and vested interests is key, they add. “The importance of independence from DOJ in this endeavor cannot be overstated,” they write. “The DOJ must not be put in the position of using forensic tools in its role as a prosecutor in federal criminal litigation, while simultaneously determining the scientific value of those same tools.”

The entire story can be found at:

https://www.forensicmag.com/news/2017/06/science-orgs-ask-doj-close-gaps-forensic-knowledge-base

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