Comments on: Dr. Michael West Speaks Out, Says He Has “Lost Faith in the System”

By: JP

JP — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:17:11 +0000

As a citizen, I feel nothing but shame when I read about “Dr.” West. As a scientist, though, I feel a true spark of rage when I read his ridiculous claims regarding his Magic Formula for Dentition Detection(TM?). He could not publish such outlandish claims in any peer-reviewed journal worth a damn in my field (chemistry), and the very fact that he found an outlet for his views casts serious doubt on the whole field of, shall we say, “experience-based”, forensic science (as opposed to DNA analysis, say, which can be taught easily in a standard class in college). On top of that, the parts of the NAS report that I read on this type of analysis were extremely damning. Taken as a whole, the story suggests to me that scientists need to A) more forcefully police their own, perhaps setting up some structural impediments which could severely discredit people like West, and B) agitate for more emphasis on science within educational programs, especially in college (where most students take very little science). It seems to me that a jury (or a judge, even better) with any significant training in scientific thought would dismiss West’s claims out of hand, because they are preposterous nonsense.

By: Windypundit

Windypundit — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:20:12 +0000

The most damning part is West’s claim that only he can use his method of analyzing bite marks. Science is, by definition, replicatable. If other scientists can’t do what you do, you haven’t proven anything.

By: MDGuy

MDGuy — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:34:28 +0000

It doesn’t help that this kind of “evidence” is given credibility in the public mind by TV shows like Law & Order. I just watched an episode a few days ago in which, even though the killer had cut away the skin of the victim to avoid identification, the forensic analyst gave a proof-positive match on a bite mark she found in the sub-cutaneous skin layer using x-rays or something. I don’t watch CSI but I imagine it gives the public the same warped perception of the reality of forensic science and evidence-gathering in general.

By: Dave Krueger

Dave Krueger — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:39:37 +0000

The truth is not a factor in prosecution. Conviction is all that matters and West facilitated that. That they got the wrong guy isn’t important to a prosecutor, although they certainly want to avoid being found out, which is why they will forever deny that they did anything wrong. What’s important to a prosecutor (and to the state in general) is the appearance that they are closing cases and putting the bad guys behind bars and that’s what the machine is designed to do.

By: ktc2

ktc2 — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:21:02 +0000

Hate to be the “ought to be a law” guy but maybe a mandatory minimum sentence for deliberate court forensic fraud of the combined total sentences of all the innocent people you fraudulently put in jail, would be a good idea.

By: claude

claude — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:07:19 +0000

Dr. West… bite me.

By: Tokin42

Tokin42 — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:43:06 +0000

“I don’t want to do any more death information. I don’t want public office,” West said. “I’ve lost faith in the system.”

Tragic.

Too bad Allgood doesn’t come to the same conclusion. Maybe he can get “torted” by some of the innocent people he knowingly kept behind bars.

By: Judas Peckerwood

Judas Peckerwood — Fri, 15 May 2009 06:16:42 +0000

Fucker should be made to serve the sentences of everyone he wrongly helped put behind bars. Fucker.

By: Judi

Judi — Fri, 15 May 2009 05:01:05 +0000

What Packratt said…!

By: Packratt

Packratt — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:11:27 +0000

HE has lost faith in the system?!?

HIM?!?

He IS the system!

He represents everything WRONG with the system!

Seriously, he’s gotta lay off that crack.