Forensic Test Put Innocents in Jail for Decades
November 18th 2007
One of FBI's forensic tests, known as comparative bullet-lead analysis, has apparently put hundreds of innocent people in jail for serious gun-related crimes. A joint investigation by The Washington Post and "60 Minutes" has found that this particular technique, which claimed to link a bullet with ones in suspects' possession, was dumped for its unreliability after four decades without alerting those convicted.
The comparative bullet-lead analysis was based on the supposition that each batch of lead would have a particular, almost unique, chemical makeup. The National Academy of Sciences, however, has invalidated this claim in 2004, pointing out that FBI experts who claimed to jurors the test linked a particular bullet to those found in a suspect's gun or cartridge box were more or less misleading the jury.
Moreover, it was already determined by that point that the Bureau has already made false matches based on a faulty statistical analysis of the elements contained in different lead samples. The problem is that the FBI never cared for those whose lives it destroyed over the years and never alerted them, even as the window for appealing convictions is closing.
"Recently, joint reporting by The Washington Post and CBS News brought to our attention concerns that our messages on the discontinuation of bullet lead analysis were not clear enough and getting to the right people," said John Miller, FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs, in an official statement on the Bureau's website.
"In addition, working with the Innocence Project, the reporters brought to our attention some cases that may require closer examination of the scientific findings and testimony by FBI experts, and we are committed to go forward with that," Miller said.
The FBI has thus taken a series of steps to try to fix this snafu, and is working with the Department of Justice to inform all those involved and review all testimony given against defendants, especially where it lead to a conviction.
"These additional and ongoing efforts further demonstrate the commitment of the FBI to advancing the cause of forensic science and to the utilization of the highest scientific and evidentiary standards – and to protect innocent Americans from erroneous accusations," Miller said.
The question is why was it necessary for the problems to be investigated by the media for FBI to take action.
http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_FBIs_Forensic_Test_Put_Innocents_in_Jail_for_Decades_10761.html
