nums24
Praying for Justice!
Regarding Arpad Vass......while he will likely be picked apart by the defense..........Henry Lee's book ,The Real World of a Forensic Scientist describes him in a most complimentary manner.
Snip..pg 307
Aside from soil comparison, bacterial analysis has another important forensic function. Dr. Arpad Vass, a research scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been working for years on the analysis of microbial measurements from decomposition found in soil beneath corpses. These data have assisted in narrowing estimates of the post mortem interval (PMI)- the period between the time a person dies and the time his body is discovered.
Dr. Lee then discusses the use of brain scans in criminal trials. Discussing cases where brain scans have been used to show the differences between the adolescent and adult brain......and how it factors into impulsivity and emotion. Given the issue the defense has with the "air sample testing", I find Dr. Lee's comments regarding the "still controversial" meaning of brain scans to be very interesting.
snip pg 308
While the meaning of brain scans is still controversial, they will increasingly come into play in trials, especially for the defense.
There is also quite a bit of homage paid to the value of gas chromatography. There is discussion of the value of this specialty in Homeland Security.......BUT what is important to note.......that GC is not referred to as "junk science" as JB has opined. In fact....while the references in the book do not specify use for determining decompositional events........the use of GC itself is given MUCH WEIGHT AND VALUE and there is reference to a "library of known substances". pg 167, 304-306.
Food for thought.
I hope the SAO uses Dr. Lee's book against him at the trial. Thank you for this info SOTS!