PASSAGE OF THE DAY: "During forensic analysis, DNA types are detected from blood, hair and other evidence left at the scene to identify individuals. The technical worker falsely reported that "no DNA was detected" without actually analyzing the samples. The worker also concealed the loss of samples and altered analysis dates in an attempt to emphasize the speed of his work to superiors. Such actions are unbecoming of someone involved in a field that demands impartial and meticulous work."
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PASSAGE TWO OF THE DAY: "The responsibility of the police as an organization is also heavy. Supervision and checks by the staffer's superiors and colleagues were insufficient, with police failing to see through the wrongdoing for over seven years. The misconduct occurred in cases including attempted murder and sex crimes. Prefectural police have stressed that there was "no impact on investigations or trials." The Saga Bar Association, however, has criticized this explanation as "untrustworthy" as it was made without questioning those involved in the cases or their lawyers and others."
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PASSAGE THREE OF THE DAY: "An internal investigation by Saga Prefectural Police alone cannot sufficiently unravel the facts. A third-party committee should be established to carry out an investigation from a neutral standpoint and thoroughly examine the matter, including the background circumstances that led to the misconduct. In the world of criminal justice in Japan, there has been a painful history of forced confessions and other problems leading to wrongful convictions. Reflecting on this, emphasis has come to be placed on objective evidence."
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PASSAGE FOUR OF THE DAY: "In 2024, DNA analysis was conducted in over 250,000 cases nationwide, and it has become indispensable in investigations and trials. Police forces across Japan need to urgently check for similar issues in areas other than Saga."
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GIST: "Editorial: Japan police worker's DNA test misconduct damages trust in forensics," published by Mainichi Japan, on September 23, 2025.
PHOTO CAPTION: "Saga Prefectural Police chief Hideyuki Fukuda provides an explanation regarding misconduct in DNA analysis by a technical worker at the prefectural police crime laboratory, at a meeting of the Saga Prefectural Assembly, in Saga on Sept. 17, 2025."
PHOTO CAPTION: "Head police inspection officer Toshihiko Inoue apologizes over misconduct in DNA analysis by a worker at the Saga Prefectural Police crime laboratory, at the prefectural police headquarters in Saga on Sept. 8, 2025."
GIST: "A worker in charge of DNA analysis at the Saga Prefectural Police crime laboratory engaged in misconduct in a total of 130 cases spanning more than seven years. This is a serious situation that shakes confidence in forensic science. The police must fully uncover all details of the misconduct and implement thorough measures to prevent a recurrence.
Prefectural police have reported the technical staff member to public prosecutors on suspicion of suppression of evidence, among other charges, and dismissed him as a disciplinary measure.
During forensic analysis, DNA types are detected from blood, hair and other evidence left at the scene to identify individuals. The technical worker falsely reported that "no DNA was detected" without actually analyzing the samples.
The worker also concealed the loss of samples and altered analysis dates in an attempt to emphasize the speed of his work to superiors. Such actions are unbecoming of someone involved in a field that demands impartial and meticulous work.
The responsibility of the police as an organization is also heavy. Supervision and checks by the staffer's superiors and colleagues were insufficient, with police failing to see through the wrongdoing for over seven years.
The misconduct occurred in cases including attempted murder and sex crimes. Prefectural police have stressed that there was "no impact on investigations or trials." The Saga Bar Association, however, has criticized this explanation as "untrustworthy" as it was made without questioning those involved in the cases or their lawyers and others.
An internal investigation by Saga Prefectural Police alone cannot sufficiently unravel the facts. A third-party committee should be established to carry out an investigation from a neutral standpoint and thoroughly examine the matter, including the background circumstances that led to the misconduct.
In the world of criminal justice in Japan, there has been a painful history of forced confessions and other problems leading to wrongful convictions. Reflecting on this, emphasis has come to be placed on objective evidence.
DNA analysis, in particular, is highly credible, and is treated as important evidence. Since its introduction in 1989, the technology has improved significantly, reaching a level where it is possible to identify one person out of 5.65 quintillion (a quintillion is 1 million times 1 trillion). DNA analysis was a decisive factor in the acquittal of a defendant in a retrial over the murder in the 1990s of a female employee of what was then Tokyo Electric Power Co.
Misconduct in DNA analysis can disrupt investigations and may even lead to the real perpetrator escaping justice, resulting in wrongful convictions.
In 2024, DNA analysis was conducted in over 250,000 cases nationwide, and it has become indispensable in investigations and trials. Police forces across Japan need to urgently check for similar issues in areas other than Saga."
The entire story can be read at:
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PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue/resource. 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.
SEE BREAKDOWN OF SOME OF THE ON-GOING INTERNATIONAL CASES (OUTSIDE OF THE CONTINENTAL USA) THAT I AM FOLLOWING ON THIS BLOG, AT THE LINK BELOW: HL:
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/120008354894645705/4704913685758792985
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FINAL WORD: (Applicable to all of our wrongful conviction cases): "Whenever there is a wrongful conviction, it exposes errors in our criminal legal system, and we hope that this case — and lessons from it — can prevent future injustices."
Lawyer Radha Natarajan:
Executive Director: New England Innocence Project;
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FINAL, FINAL WORD: "Since its inception, the Innocence Project has pushed the criminal legal system to confront and correct the laws and policies that cause and contribute to wrongful convictions. They never shied away from the hard cases — the ones involving eyewitness identifications, confessions, and bite marks. Instead, in the course of presenting scientific evidence of innocence, they've exposed the unreliability of evidence that was, for centuries, deemed untouchable." So true!
Christina Swarns: Executive Director: The Innocence Project;
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