FBI's hairy evidence.

[Blind groper]

Reference : New Scientist, 25 April 2015, page 7

Let me quote from the reference :

" Since 2012, the FBI has been reviewing 2600 cases in which hair evidence was among that used to secure a conviction. The trials under scrutiny took place between about 1980 and 1998, when hairs were assessed by microscope - a technique criticised for its lack of rigour.

Of the 268 trials reviewed so far, more than 95% included evidence that was overstated by analysts. Death sentences were given in at least 35 of those cases, and nine people were executed. Another five died in prison. The trials are likely to have involved other evidence, though."

Even though, as New Scientist states, the trials probably involved other evidence, this is a disturbing development, and points to severe inadequacies in the use of evidence in court cases, and most especially when the death penalty is involved.

[pErvinalia]

Yeah I was going to post about this a few weeks ago in that thread about justice where Seth wanted to execute everyone 1 week after their guilty verdict. But I figured it would just earn me another wall of stupidity from him, so I didn't bother.

Edit: Search out other articles on this. It's not just that evidence was overstated, it was also straight out made up in a lot of cases.

[Tyrannical]

Hair analysis was never as exacting as say fingerprints. I'm sure they used more fancy terminology, but I think the reports were in the form of "wasn't him" or "could have been him". Good for ruling people out, but not so good about fingering the guilty party. And hair sticks and travels, I'm sure some of my coworkers have a few hairs from my dog at their home that they picked up from me at work.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

I don't think any of you have thought this through. Just think of how many episodes of CSI they are going to have to remake!

[pErvinalia]

Hair analysis was never as exacting as say fingerprints. I'm sure they used more fancy terminology, but I think the reports were in the form of "wasn't him" or "could have been him". Good for ruling people out, but not so good about fingering the guilty party. And hair sticks and travels, I'm sure some of my coworkers have a few hairs from my dog at their home that they picked up from me at work.

You've probably even got some black hairs on you..

[Tyrannical]

Hair analysis was never as exacting as say fingerprints. I'm sure they used more fancy terminology, but I think the reports were in the form of "wasn't him" or "could have been him". Good for ruling people out, but not so good about fingering the guilty party. And hair sticks and travels, I'm sure some of my coworkers have a few hairs from my dog at their home that they picked up from me at work.

You've probably even got some black hairs on you..

Ha ha, I do. But they're from my cute Caucasian Aussie gf that just went back last week.

[rainbow]

Hair analysis was never as exacting as say fingerprints. I'm sure they used more fancy terminology, but I think the reports were in the form of "wasn't him" or "could have been him". Good for ruling people out, but not so good about fingering the guilty party. And hair sticks and travels, I'm sure some of my coworkers have a few hairs from my dog at their home that they picked up from me at work.

You've probably even got some black hairs on you..

Ha ha, I do. But they're from my cute Caucasian Aussie gf that just went back last week.

You are dating a black sheep.

I should've guessed.

[mistermack]

This must be old stuff, because they can get dna out of really small strands now.