Radley Balko: A memorable column on the late Robert O'Block: "The emperor of junk science forensics has died."..." Once again, Radley Balko has written a column that defies reduction and must be read word by word...This is Radley Balko in top form. It's the real thing!" HL);

COMMENTARY: "The emperor of junk science forensics has died," by Radley Balko, published in his column 'The Watch' by the Washington Post, on August 31, 2017. ( Radley Balko blogs about criminal justice, the drug war and civil liberties for The Washington Post. He is the author of the book "Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America's Police Forces.")

GIST:  Once again, Radley Balko has written a column that defies reduction and must be read word by word. However, to give you a taste, the first two paragraphs read:  "According to local news reports, 66-year-old Robert O’Block died late last month in an apparent murder-suicide. It appears that O’Block shot himself after shooting and killing his 27-year-old girlfriend. It is a strange, tragic and violent end to a truly bizarre life. O’Block was the founder and chief executive of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI), which claims to be the largest forensics organization in the world. It may well be. But the group’s impressive size is as much a warning for the rest of us as it was an accomplishment for O’Block — because the rise of O’Block and the ACFEI embodies everything that’s wrong with how forensics is used in the American criminal-justice system." This story of the narcissistic founder of a dubious credentials certification  program  - which was enabled by a flaw in America's justice system that Balko describes in detail - even contains a timely reference to President Donald Trump. (I can't  resist throwing in this paragraph: "According to O’Block’s Facebook account, he was a vocal supporter of Donald Trump. That makes some sense. One of the first policies of the Trump Justice Department was to end its partnership with the National Commission on Forensic Science, a group whose aim was to bring scientific scrutiny to forensics." So read on dear readers. This is Radley Balko in top form. It's the real thing!!"

The entire commentary can be found at:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2017/08/31/the-emperor-of-junk-science-forensics-has-died/?utm_term=.c4b933433968

See CSI DDS (Forensics in Focus)  related post, headed:  "A forensic fraudster personfied: In depth look at the ACFE. (American College of Forensic Examiners)."..."Back in the 90’s I got into it with the American College of Forensic Examiners Inc regarding its ‘diplomate mill’ of certifying dentists as being forensics qualified. Past AAFS President Mary Fran Ernst led the battle to track and counter-act the meandering path of this group’s attempt to self-certify itself as acceptable expertise in US courts." Dr. Michael Bowers.

 https://csidds.com/2017/08/31/a-forensic-fraudster-personified-in-depth-look-at-acfe-founder/

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;