FBI Admits Bogus Hair Analysis

FBI forensic analysts provided erroneous information in 96% of criminal cases that relied on analysis of hair found at crime scenes. Their flawed testimony helped convict defendants in 268 trials reviewed so far in the country's largest post conviction review of questioned forensic evidence. The analyses were done in the three decades before DNA analysis of genetic material extracted from human hair. The hair evidence was only analysed at the microscopic level, comparing gross features such as color, thickness, and other visible patterns. The cases reviewed include 32 defendants sentenced to death. Fourteen of those have died in prison either by execution or natural causes. Four defendants have been exonerated. There has been long-suspected problems with forensic evidence in courtrooms. While having the appearence of indisputabilty backed by scientific credence, such evidence is actually subject to human biases, lack of consensus standards, and lack of scientific method according to a report by the National Academy of Sciences. So once again reality is nowhere near the pablum spewed out by Hollywood and other corporate-controlled media upon gullible hero worshipers. At a bear minimum to insure necessary impartiality, state forensic laboratories must be removed from the control of the police.