I’ve blogged here about the problems with microscopic hair comparison and how some prosecutors are unfortunately continuing to tout its alleged reliability. In contrast, the prosecutor in Washington D.C., after seeing several exonerations of men who were convicted as a result of this junk science, is ordering a comprehensive review of every single case where someone was convicted as a result of microscopic hair comparison. From the article:
“We are announcing today that we are going to go back and do a sweeping review of cases going back decades,” said U.S. Attorney Ron Machen, “Some in the 70s and 80s and even earlier if we can find the records of cases where hair analysis was used in part to secure convictions.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office just completed another review of more than 200 cases called into question by the wrongful conviction of Donald Gates, a man who went to prison in part due to the hair analysis testimony of an FBI agent.
“We are now not going to limit it to certain examiners,” said Machen, “We are going to go back and look at all prior convictions where hair analysis was used to identify a defendant regardless of who the specific examiner was to see if we have any questions about the integrity of those convictions.”
Kudos to U.S. Attorney Ron Machen….
