.............................................................. >From the New Paradigms Project [Not Necessarily Endorsed]: From: Paul Wolf <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Tainting Evidence Date: Sunday, June 04, 2000 3:55 PM From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Look what reviewers are saying about TAINTING EVIDENCE Washington Post/David Burnham Because most of the critics have aimed their fire at the processing of individual cases brought in geographically dispersed jurisdictions over the last decade or so, however, the collective weight of these negative judgements has not been obvious. Tainting Evidence, a powerful new book by John F. Kelly and Phillip K. Wearne, has now provided this disturbing perspective. The documented failures of the lab, they argue, are not isolated events. Rather, they are strong evidence of systematic rot. Through extensive interviews, detailed analyses of the FBI’s forensic work in selected cases, and the intense mining of government documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, Kelly and Wearne persuasively argue that the lab has frequently failed to meet the scientific and ethical standards required of such an important institution. They further contend that when these problems have been disclosed, the agency’s typical response has been denial and coverup rather than meaningful corrective action. They finally assert that the recent remedial steps ordered by FBI Director Louis Freeh, largely as the result of Whitehurst’s very public disclosures, are not adequate. Examing how well or poorly a powerful and secretive agency like the FBI performs its work is one of the most difficult and important tasks that any reporter can take on. Kelly and Wearne have met this difficult challenge, successfully documenting a shocking condition that should outrage every American concerned with justice. Publishers Weekly The media has familiarized the public with the vocabulary of forensic science: DNA identification, fingerprinting, bomb signatures, etc. However, as journalists Kelly and Wearne make clear in this expose of the F.B.I. crime lab, some of these practices are dubious at best, and any of them is only as effective as the scientist behind it. Their book is painstakingly researched and detailed - some of it shocking - this volume belongs on the reading list of any criminal defense attorney as a road map to the successful cross-examination of forensic experts. Library Journal The reputation of the F.B.I. has suffered in recent years, and this book will do nothing to rehabilitate it. It is a scathing criticism, alleging sloppy, inaccurate forensics, pro-prosecution bias, and false testimony. While portraying an agency more concerned with image and power than with accurate forensic science. As a result, they suggest that thousands of old verdicts should be revisited. Admirers of the F.B.I. crime lab, such as David Fisher in Hard Evidence, may disagree with the conclusions here, but it is compelling reading for anyone interested in criminal justice or forensics. The Champion/Journal of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys Mr. Hoover’s laboratory has operated with impunity and without proper oversight for decades. Tainting Evidence allows a peek into the problems that came about because of these practice. The book employs case studies to illustrate how evidence is tainted. Major problems are revealed which primarily relate to contamination and lack of standards and controls. These charges were confirmed by the IG investigations. Efforts by the FBI laboratory to hide proficiency testing results, to write purposefully vague and thus misleading reports is shown time and time again. Lack of proper documentation of testing results, and of controls and standards, is the theme of the case studies. Anyone who is involved with scientific laboratory evidence should read this book. While it is about the FBI, similar problems exist in most if not all "crime" labs. Other labs have similar problems, because the influence of the FBI has been enormous. Many state and local labs are run in the same fashion. This is particularly true when it comes to report writing. Reports typically fail to mention any technical underlying data. Also, the same corrupting forces work upon the forensic scientists in all labs. The prosecutor is intent upon winning; the more and more convincing evidence from the forensic scientist the better. Being armed with an understanding of the issues presented by Tainting Evidence, will allow the defense attorney to demand good and proper forensic science. Journal of Forensic Science/American Academy of Forensic Sciences Ronald K. Wright, MD, JD/Director, Division of Forensic Pathology, University of Miami Medical School Forensic science is a shotgun marriage of science and law. This unhappy marriage is exposed, at some of its worst, in Tainting Evidence. The authors demonstrate that the FBI laboratory, which through years of carefully honed public relations, dating back to J. Edgar Hoover, has created an image of infallibility. Analytical science is never infallible; the probabilities of error can be reduced, but never eliminated. As the FBI laboratory is believed by many in and out of the FBI to be infallible, and as it is not, there is the added tension of infidelity in this shotgun marriage. The book concentrates on the "bombers," the folks who do the analytical chemistry defining the chemical composition of detonated explosives, and who also create and test bombs. Often without decontaminating after doing the latter and handling the former. The exploits and errors of this group in handling the Unabomber, VANPAC, World Trade, and Oklahoma City case are examined in detail with good documentation. In addition, the problems with coverup and just plain poor crime-scene search are documented in the Ruby Ridge case. Problems in the DNA unit are explored, using the O.J. Simpson case, as the vehicle. Finally, the hair and fiber unit, and some extremely bad practices by an examiner from that unit are revealed in a series of cases including the Jeffrey MacDonald prosecution. The book reads well. The facts that I know first hand are accurate, such as the MacDonald case, and what I have observed of FBI laboratory personnel, generally working with them as prosecution witnesses. I recommend this book to anyone who works in or with forensic science laboratories. The book teaches that the approach to problems should be to effect change, not attempt to cover them up. Further, the book shows that it is important to continually strive to improve our science. TAINTING EVIDENCE: INSIDE THE SCANDALS AT THE FBI CRIME LAB was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Whether you are an attorney, forensic scientist, professor, instructor, or concerned citizen, can you afford to be without this book? Autographed first edition copies of Tainting Evidence are now available direct from the authors for $20 plus $3.20 priority mail postage which represents an overall discount of 33%. Send checks or money orders to: John Kelly 1832 Biltmore Street NW Apt 35 Washington, D.C. 20009 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Orders of ten or more available for $15/book. PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL E-MAIL CONTACTS. Forwarded for info and discussion from the New Paradigms Discussion List, not necessarily endorsed by: *********************************** Lloyd Miller, Research Director for A-albionic Research a ruling class/conspiracy research resource for the entire political-ideological spectrum. **FREE RARE BOOK SEARCH: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ** Explore Our Archive: <http://a-albionic.com/a-albionic.html> <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html <A HREF="http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
