BIAS AND QUALITY CONTROL IN FORENSIC SCIENCE - A CAUSE FOR CONCERN

• NCJ Number: 16717
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1974) Pages: 504-517
• Author(s): M A THOMSON
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: American Soc for Testing and Materials
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

FORENSIC SCIENCE MAY FALL INTO DISUSE AS DID THE CONFESSION AND THE EYEWITNESS EXAMINATION, UNLESS ITS PRODUCTS ARE STANDARDIZED AND QUALITY CONTROLLED.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR MAKES A FIVE PART PROPOSAL TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED GROWTH AND USE OF FORENSIC SCIENCE IN THE FUTURE. HE RECOMMENDS A CONSOLIDATION OF FORENSIC SCIENCE FACILITIES SO THERE IS AT LEAST ONE LABORATORY FOR EACH STATE. THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE HIGHEST COURT OF THE JURISDICTION SERVED SHOULD HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF THE LABORATORY. LABORATORIES AND FORENSIC SCIENTISTS SHOULD BE ACCREDITED. EXTERNAL QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAMS SHOULD BE INSTITUTED FOR INTER-LABORATORY COMPARISON. FINALLY, PROVISION SHOULD BE MADE TO ALLOW OPEN ACCESS TO CRIME LABORATORY FACILITIES TO ALL PARTIES IN A CRIMINAL ACTION WITHOUT FEE.