Innocence Blog

Science Thursday: 4000 Drug Cases Under Review in Nassau County, NY

Posted: February 24, 2011 5:49 pm

Four thousand drug cases must go under review as a result of errors at a drug lab inin Nassau County, New York’s drug lab, the scientific community discusses the implications of a novel forensic phenotyping technique and South Africa’s toxicology backlog obstructs justice in the country. Here’s a roundup of forensic news:

Nassau County’s District Attorney has requested the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate problems that lead to the closure of the crime laboratory’s drug section. As a result of the closure, 4,000 cases must go under review.

Science magazine covers the ethical and legal issues surrounding forensic phenotyping, the practice of using DNA to determine a person’s skin color, eye color, or physical appearance.


The West Virginia state legislature is considering a bill to designate Marshall University as the state’s official laboratory for DNA typing, testing and research.

A Washington Post editorial supports the creation of a crime laboratory that reports to the mayor rather than to the police.

South Africa’s national crime laboratory has a 10-year backlog of toxicology cases.

The Laboratory Accreditation Board has issued a statement denying responsibly for problems at the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.