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Hello Twitter. Just a few words on my latest story with @chronic_jordan. In February 2016 we went to the annual meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in Las Vegas and wrote this piece. (Some of you may remember the rather colorful lede.) 1/6 theintercept.com/2016/03/25/in-…
At that time, the forensics world was increasingly embattled: crime lab scandals & exonerations were making news. Entrenched forensic practices had been shown to have little basis in science. But despite infighting, there were also signs things were on the road to reform. 2/6
Then came Trump and Jeff Sessions, threatening the fledgling gains. But politics were only part of the problem. As we’ve continued to attend AAFS meetings, we've seen some folks committed to getting forensics on more scientific footing, while others dig in their heels. 3/6
This year, the AAFS meeting was in Baltimore. It was 10 years after what's known as the NAS Report—the groundbreaking 2009 study exposing so many problems across forensic disciplines. One might think AAFS would place this anniversary front and center. One would be wrong. 4/6
Instead there was a pep talk from a hopped-up Marine, a haughty prosecutor slamming the press, and a group peddling the discredited diagnosis of Shaken Baby Syndrome. (Plus: a near fistfight between forensic dentists, who, it must be said, bring the drama year after year.) 5/6
There’s more to say, but here's the story. In sum: the unreliability of the evidence we use to imprison (and execute) people in this country is frightening and merits more attention and urgency! Happy Monday. 6/6 theintercept.com/2019/05/05/for…
