by Priscilla Ann Ornido
Jo Handelsman, Associate Director for Science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, called for the “eradication” of bite mark evidence at a conference sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in late July.
In her discourse, Handelsman cited one study that compared expert practitioners’ conclusions, who were asked about whether in the example of bite marks the injury was in fact a bite mark. Surprisingly, more experienced practitioners came to less agreement than the less experienced practitioners. She also said one of the studies found that many of the practitioners showed no consistency in their determinations.
Handelsman’s comments represent progress in the crusade to end the use of bite mark evidence in forensic sciences.
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