Comments for BulletPath http://www.bulletpath.com somebody doing something Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:57:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Mandy Locke and the News & Observer, Part 1: Bad Journalism by Larry Smith http://www.bulletpath.com/2010/mandy-locke-bad-journalism/comment-page-1/#comment-14595 Larry Smith Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:57:47 +0000 http://www.bulletpath.com/?p=266#comment-14595 I've been reading your articles. For this old retired trial lawyer whose belly is still full of fire and who's had "experiences" with our SBI, your writing is spellbinding like a Dickens novel you just can't lay down. Dickens was true in his own way, of course, and I believe every word of what you're telling us with your very articulate essays. Yes, the FBI have been hucksters for decades, and most of our newspapers here in NC are fishwrappers. Thanks for the privilege of reading, for your devotion to accuracy, and the chance to comment. Larry Smith Asheville I’ve been reading your articles. For this old retired trial lawyer whose belly is still full of fire and who’s had “experiences” with our SBI, your writing is spellbinding like a Dickens novel you just can’t lay down. Dickens was true in his own way, of course, and I believe every word of what you’re telling us with your very articulate essays.

Yes, the FBI have been hucksters for decades, and most of our newspapers here in NC are fishwrappers.

Thanks for the privilege of reading, for your devotion to accuracy, and the chance to comment.

Larry Smith
Asheville

]]> Comment on The BulletPath Experts Channel is here! by Gerard Petillo http://www.bulletpath.com/2011/the-bulletpath-experts-channel-is-here/comment-page-1/#comment-11523 Gerard Petillo Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:28:16 +0000 http://www.bulletpath.com/?p=490#comment-11523 Amy Thanks for setting up the experts channel. I am looking forward to reading your articles. Amy
Thanks for setting up the experts channel. I am looking forward to reading your articles.

]]> Comment on So, The CFSO is Circling the Drain…-UPDATED by briano http://www.bulletpath.com/2011/so-the-cfso-is-circling-the-drain%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-10609 briano Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:42:28 +0000 http://www.bulletpath.com/?p=511#comment-10609 Once again a great post. I went to CSFO's web site. The latest medial alert is dated February 17, 2009. The information they have about the Coverdell Act seems to be from 2002. The latest Bureau of Jutice stats available for download are form 2002. It's a pretty nice site. Looks like a freebie from AOL. Once again a great post. I went to CSFO’s web site. The latest medial alert is dated February 17, 2009. The information they have about the Coverdell Act seems to be from 2002. The latest Bureau of Jutice stats available for download are form 2002. It’s a pretty nice site. Looks like a freebie from AOL.

]]> Comment on Why the Zadroga Bill Doesn’t Cover Cancer by Ray Silva http://www.bulletpath.com/2011/zadroga/comment-page-1/#comment-10307 Ray Silva Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:55:38 +0000 http://www.bulletpath.com/?p=502#comment-10307 Yet once again, Amy, you have written a great in-depth sustained piece that deserves attention. Yet once again, Amy, you have written a great in-depth sustained piece that deserves attention.

]]> Comment on The Strange Priorities of Ken Melson by unethical alex http://www.bulletpath.com/2011/the-strange-priorities-of-ken-melson/comment-page-1/#comment-7820 unethical alex Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:26:49 +0000 http://www.bulletpath.com/?p=457#comment-7820 To get caught in the crosshairs of Jon Stewart's Daily Show (06/21/2011), Melson's actions must really be idiotic. To get caught in the crosshairs of Jon Stewart’s Daily Show (06/21/2011), Melson’s actions must really be idiotic.

]]> Comment on Senator Patrick Leahy Introduces the Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Reform Act by Annie Ward http://www.bulletpath.com/2011/leahy-introduces-cjfsra/comment-page-1/#comment-7209 Annie Ward Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:12:14 +0000 http://www.bulletpath.com/?p=327#comment-7209 I was very pleased after reading the synopsis of The Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Reform Act. The reliability issues that are associated with crime labs are unacceptable. Forensic science is vital to the criminal justice system and improvement is necessary. I believe that Senator Leahy’s act of legislation is a step in the right direction to a more reliable system of forensic science. In my opinion, fingerprints are one of the most remarkable forms of forensic evidence. The fact that no two fingerprints have ever matched convinces me that forensic science is a field which deserves recognition and. The friction ridge on an individual remains unchanged throughout their lifetime, which provides a form of forensic evidence that can identify an individual with no question. With forms of evidence so powerful, it is important to maintain an environment where this evidence can be processed reliably. With the capabilities of fingerprint analysis and the accessibility of fingerprint databases, an improved crime lab setting would improve forensic science exponentially. The establishment of a Forensic Science Board as proposed by Senator Leahy appears to be a beneficial addition. I think the requirements to be a member of the board are essential and Leahy was smart to include not only members with “comprehensive scientific backgrounds,” but specific backgrounds in scientific research and forensic science. Incorporating government officials as members is also a good idea in order to balance the science with the law. I also agree with the decision to provide compensation solely for travel. This will eliminate any candidates who are running for the position for reasons other than improving forensic science. The funding outlined in Leahy’s Reform Act would provide crime labs a chance to improve (by putting $10,000,000 towards grants for labs to prepare for accreditation and certification.) Leahy proposed $10,000,000 in grants for training judges and attorneys in forensic science topics, which I never considered, and I think this would be really helpful in blurring the lines between science and the law in criminal justice. The bulk of the funds, $90,000,000 per year, would be used for forensic science research. Although forensic science research is very important, I think that some of this funding should be put towards checking up on crime labs and making sure that they are staying within national standards in order to keep the labs on track. Overall, I think that Leahy’s Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Reform Act is a great addition and will really improve forensic science and increase its reliability. I was very pleased after reading the synopsis of The Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Reform Act. The reliability issues that are associated with crime labs are unacceptable. Forensic science is vital to the criminal justice system and improvement is necessary. I believe that Senator Leahy’s act of legislation is a step in the right direction to a more reliable system of forensic science. In my opinion, fingerprints are one of the most remarkable forms of forensic evidence. The fact that no two fingerprints have ever matched convinces me that forensic science is a field which deserves recognition and. The friction ridge on an individual remains unchanged throughout their lifetime, which provides a form of forensic evidence that can identify an individual with no question. With forms of evidence so powerful, it is important to maintain an environment where this evidence can be processed reliably. With the capabilities of fingerprint analysis and the accessibility of fingerprint databases, an improved crime lab setting would improve forensic science exponentially.
The establishment of a Forensic Science Board as proposed by Senator Leahy appears to be a beneficial addition. I think the requirements to be a member of the board are essential and Leahy was smart to include not only members with “comprehensive scientific backgrounds,” but specific backgrounds in scientific research and forensic science. Incorporating government officials as members is also a good idea in order to balance the science with the law. I also agree with the decision to provide compensation solely for travel. This will eliminate any candidates who are running for the position for reasons other than improving forensic science.
The funding outlined in Leahy’s Reform Act would provide crime labs a chance to improve (by putting $10,000,000 towards grants for labs to prepare for accreditation and certification.) Leahy proposed $10,000,000 in grants for training judges and attorneys in forensic science topics, which I never considered, and I think this would be really helpful in blurring the lines between science and the law in criminal justice. The bulk of the funds, $90,000,000 per year, would be used for forensic science research. Although forensic science research is very important, I think that some of this funding should be put towards checking up on crime labs and making sure that they are staying within national standards in order to keep the labs on track. Overall, I think that Leahy’s Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Reform Act is a great addition and will really improve forensic science and increase its reliability.

]]> Comment on The White House Subcommittee on Forensic Science Roster, Part 1: Michael Sheppo’s Office by Brian O http://www.bulletpath.com/2011/white-house-subcommittee-on-forensic-science-roster-part-1-michael-sheppos-office/comment-page-1/#comment-4976 Brian O Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:34:59 +0000 http://www.bulletpath.com/?p=404#comment-4976 Fantastic reporting. Keep it up! Fantastic reporting. Keep it up!

]]> Comment on Adina Schwartz a No-Show at AAFS by Amy Driver http://www.bulletpath.com/2011/adina-schwartz-a-no-show-at-aafs/comment-page-1/#comment-4948 Amy Driver Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:29:17 +0000 http://www.bulletpath.com/?p=369#comment-4948 Yes, I was there. Melson's talk was "on message" with his past ASCLD/LAB-heavy presentations. I'll be discussing it in the future. Thanks for your comment. Amy Driver Yes, I was there. Melson’s talk was “on message” with his past ASCLD/LAB-heavy presentations. I’ll be discussing it in the future. Thanks for your comment.

Amy Driver

]]> Comment on Adina Schwartz a No-Show at AAFS by Jeff Benson http://www.bulletpath.com/2011/adina-schwartz-a-no-show-at-aafs/comment-page-1/#comment-4920 Jeff Benson Tue, 08 Mar 2011 03:27:55 +0000 http://www.bulletpath.com/?p=369#comment-4920 Did you happen to catch Ken Melson's talk that was supposed to be "debating" Ms. Schwartz? Part 2 of his talk was much more interesting in light of your recent ASCLD posts. Did you happen to catch Ken Melson’s talk that was supposed to be “debating” Ms. Schwartz? Part 2 of his talk was much more interesting in light of your recent ASCLD posts.

]]> Comment on NC State Bureau of Investigation: Low-Hanging Fruit for the News & Observer by Becky http://www.bulletpath.com/2010/nc-state-bureau-of-investigation-low-hanging-fruit-for-the-news-observer/comment-page-1/#comment-4756 Becky Fri, 04 Mar 2011 01:07:31 +0000 http://www.bulletpath.com/?p=168#comment-4756 WOW. You are instantly one of my heroes. Thank god for the journalists like you. I'd been googling law enforcement and ran across your page. I was furious that the two sociopaths who moved in next door had managed to manipulate an elderly widow down the street with dementia. But compared to SEVENTEEN YEARS of Greg's life, and almost surely many others?? And a retirement plan with the private vendor, for the incompetent FOTAS? WTF?!?!?! I thought only DC had that game so down pat. So these "detectives" profit, blatantly and openly screw people over, and not only don't give a crap but gloat sneeringly in that good old boy way we know so well in NC. Making big bucks, while we fire teacher's assistants. I'll be right back after I go throw up. I will follow you with rapt attention and tell everyone I know. FOTAS indeed. Absolutely unbelievable. Most people are naive about these things Amy, we were naive. And there is a too-easy willingness to look the other way, even with good people who would care if they faced it head on -- if you accept that these things go on, then it makes you uncomfortable. (Wonderful writing by the way.) WOW. You are instantly one of my heroes. Thank god for the journalists like you. I’d been googling law enforcement and ran across your page. I was furious that the two sociopaths who moved in next door had managed to manipulate an elderly widow down the street with dementia. But compared to SEVENTEEN YEARS of Greg’s life, and almost surely many others?? And a retirement plan with the private vendor, for the incompetent FOTAS? WTF?!?!?! I thought only DC had that game so down pat. So these “detectives” profit, blatantly and openly screw people over, and not only don’t give a crap but gloat sneeringly in that good old boy way we know so well in NC. Making big bucks, while we fire teacher’s assistants. I’ll be right back after I go throw up. I will follow you with rapt attention and tell everyone I know. FOTAS indeed. Absolutely unbelievable. Most people are naive about these things Amy, we were naive. And there is a too-easy willingness to look the other way, even with good people who would care if they faced it head on — if you accept that these things go on, then it makes you uncomfortable. (Wonderful writing by the way.)

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