Reigning in the Wild West: The Necessary Outcomes and Inevitable Pitfalls of Reforming Forensic Science
Publication Title
Albany Law Journal of Science & Technology
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2014
Abstract
With the exception of DNA, no single forensic technique has proven to have the ability to accurately and precisely verify a match between evidence samples. For example, one of the core principles of fingerprint analysis is the all-too-familiar notion that no two fingerprints are alike. Indeed, fingerprints have general ridge patterns that make it possible to systematically classify and compare them, and the average fingerprint contains between fifty and 150 points of comparison. But fingerprint analysis does not involve a comparison of 150 or even fifty points of identification. Rather, most jurisdictions in the United States do not require a minimum number and convictions can be secured with a comparison of a mere six or eight points. Fingerprints are not alone in the forensic disciplines in requiring leaps of faith to arrive at reliability. Against this backdrop are persistent but failed attempts at forensic reform. This articles focuses on current developments in forensic reform and what can be done to prevent wrongful convictions.
Recommended Citation
Jessica D. Gabel & Karyn D. Heavenrich, Reigning in the Wild West: The Necessary Outcomes and Inevitable Pitfalls of Reforming Forensic Science, 24 Alb. L.J. Sci. & Tech. 81 (2014).
Institutional Repository Citation
Jessica D. Gabel & Karyn D. Heavenrich,
Reigning in the Wild West: The Necessary Outcomes and Inevitable Pitfalls of Reforming Forensic Science,
Faculty Publications By Year
1195
(2014)
https://readingroom.law.gsu.edu/faculty_pub/1195
Volume
24
Issue
1
First Page
81
Last Page
104
Comments
External Links
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