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Forensic bitemark identification: weak foundations, exaggerated claims.

Authors :
Saks MJ
Albright T
Bohan TL
Bierer BE
Bowers CM
Bush MA
Bush PJ
Casadevall A
Cole SA
Denton MB
Diamond SS
Dioso-Villa R
Epstein J
Faigman D
Faigman L
Fienberg SE
Garrett BL
Giannelli PC
Greely HT
Imwinkelried E
Jamieson A
Kafadar K
Kassirer JP
Koehler J'
Korn D
Mnookin J
Morrison AB
Murphy E
Peerwani N
Peterson JL
Risinger DM
Sensabaugh GF
Spiegelman C
Stern H
Thompson WC
Wayman JL
Zabell S
Zumwalt RE
Source :
Journal of law and the biosciences [J Law Biosci] 2016 Nov 23; Vol. 3 (3), pp. 538-575. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Nov 23 (Print Publication: 2016).
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

Several forensic sciences, especially of the pattern-matching kind, are increasingly seen to lack the scientific foundation needed to justify continuing admission as trial evidence. Indeed, several have been abolished in the recent past. A likely next candidate for elimination is bitemark identification. A number of DNA exonerations have occurred in recent years for individuals convicted based on erroneous bitemark identifications. Intense scientific and legal scrutiny has resulted. An important National Academies review found little scientific support for the field. The Texas Forensic Science Commission recently recommended a moratorium on the admission of bitemark expert testimony. The California Supreme Court has a case before it that could start a national dismantling of forensic odontology. This article describes the (legal) basis for the rise of bitemark identification and the (scientific) basis for its impending fall. The article explains the general logic of forensic identification, the claims of bitemark identification, and reviews relevant empirical research on bitemark identification-highlighting both the lack of research and the lack of support provided by what research does exist. The rise and possible fall of bitemark identification evidence has broader implications-highlighting the weak scientific culture of forensic science and the law's difficulty in evaluating and responding to unreliable and unscientific evidence.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2053-9711
Volume :
3
Issue :
3
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of law and the biosciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
28852538
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/jlb/lsw045