Greetings, readers. I apologize for my inactivity of late. I caught a bug after Thanksgiving that has knocked me on my butt for the last week. I do have a few items in the queue for you. But until I can get back at it, I want to let you know about a piece I’ve been working on for several months
The first episode of the Actual Innocence podcast is about exoneree Greg Taylor. In his case, a state crime lab technician testified blood found on his truck was consistent with human blood. The technician knew as he testified it was animal blood (deer, IIRC), but the state lab had a policy of hiding any exculpatory reports.
Medical examiners aren't different. They are part of the prosecution team. They often get briefed by the investigators prior to performing autopsies, and that information informs and influences their conclusions. I think the paragraphs in Radley's NR article about how a homeless man beaten by a gang would be examined vice one beaten by police is a key point.
This makes my head and heart hurt.
The first episode of the Actual Innocence podcast is about exoneree Greg Taylor. In his case, a state crime lab technician testified blood found on his truck was consistent with human blood. The technician knew as he testified it was animal blood (deer, IIRC), but the state lab had a policy of hiding any exculpatory reports.
Medical examiners aren't different. They are part of the prosecution team. They often get briefed by the investigators prior to performing autopsies, and that information informs and influences their conclusions. I think the paragraphs in Radley's NR article about how a homeless man beaten by a gang would be examined vice one beaten by police is a key point.
This makes me angry.