A former DNA analyst with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI)manipulated DNA results and “cut corners” – and as a result, all of her work at the agency over nearly 30 years has been called into question.
Those findings emerged from an internal affairs investigation that commenced in September and pertained to Yvonne “Missy” Woods, a devoted employee who has served the CBI faithfully for 29 years. This announcement was made by the agency on Friday.
and yet another Colorado lab
The Weld County Sheriff’s Office fired a DNA analyst, who worked at a local lab for over 10 years, after an investigation found “anomalies” in her work. FOX31’s Talya Cunningham hears from a legal expert about what this could mean for the cases involved.
Meanwhile back at the ranch….
Thousands of Criminal Cases in New York Relied on Disputed DNA Testing Techniques
New York City’s crime lab has been a pioneer nationally in analyzing especially difficult DNA samples. But the recent disclosure of the source code for its proprietary software is raising new questions about accuracy.
Unlike finicky fingerprints and frowned-upon fiber analysis, DNA evidence has been the most bulletproof evidence for forensic sciences in recent years. But staffers at a research firm in Israel have recently upended the presumed infallibility of this forensics golden child—by making it themselves. Nucleix, a Tel-Aviv-based life sciences company, was able to create credible DNA evidence that could be used to finger the wrong person, proof that even genetic evidence can be manipulated (beyond planting a hair or used cigarette) just like other physical traces. “You can just engineer a crime scene,”
Drug-Testing Company Used in Child Custody Cases Investigated for Fraud
The DOJ investigated Averhealth, emails reviewed by VICE News show, after the company’s ex-lab director testified up to 30 percent of its results in Michigan were wrong.
Drug felonies without credible proof? — Allegations of politicking in state police crime labs
First on FOX 17, we broke serious allegations that state police crime labs are being told to falsely report marijuana test results. This is resulting in misleading lab reports that an attorney claims creates felonies without real proof.
Attorney Michael Komorn believes a recent policy change in the way Michigan State Police forensic science crime labs report marijuana may have led to years of wrongful convictions. Komorn called this a “perversion of science,” and “crime labs turned crime factories:” accusations that politics are trumping forensic science by escalating misdemeanor marijuana charges into felonies without proof.
More than 3,000 cases may have been impacted by inaccuracy of MSP’s marijuana testing
(WXYZ) — The Michigan State Police say more than three thousand cases involving alleged marijuana impairment could have been false positives. Last week, the MSP Forensic Science Division announced they were halting all testing of marijuana drug samples due to the possibility that the tests were positive for CBD, rather than just THC. The state police warned prosecutors not to rely on the THC toxicology results until they could learn more about the alleged problems in the testing.
THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana. CBD is a chemical found in marijuana that does not produce a high, and CBD has not been considered a controlled substance in Michigan since March 28, 2019.
652 cases between 2008 and 2023 are affected. Cases before that are still under review. A former DNA analyst with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) manipulated DNA results and "cut corners" – and as a result, all of her work at the agency over nearly 30 years...
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For the first time, scientists have uncovered the precise neurological impacts of cannabis use that give rise to the phenomenon famously referred to as the "munchies," as revealed by an innovative study backed by federal funds. Researchers at Washington State...
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The DEA is investigating international criminal organizations that are operating illegal marijuana grows in about 20 states, including Maine.The significant electricity usage in a residence, its windows concealed with cardboard, and the scent of marijuana caught the...
POW - Right in the Kisser. Businesses watch out for the lawA Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain was hit with a lawsuit by the Biden administration at the same time the president stopped by one of their locations on the campaign trail. Sheetz is being accused...
Woman allowed airport police to check her luggage, had name tag on bags, according to reportsBefore a 21-year-old Memphis woman could board an United Airlines flight, Memphis International Airport Police found 56 pounds of marijuana in her luggage, according to...
The Biden administration once again defends a ban in federal court, arguing that people who use marijuana should be prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms. They claim that this restriction is supported by historical precedent and that individuals who...
Illegal Gun Ownership in Michigan: Insights and StatisticsThe issue of illegal gun ownership in Michigan is a complex one, influenced by various factors ranging from criminal activity to loopholes in regulatory measures. Understanding who owns illegal guns is crucial...
Restoring Your Gun RightsAs of 4/17/24...There is still a second amendment The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution grants citizens the right to bear arms, a fundamental aspect of American freedoms. However, in some cases, just like every other right...
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John Sinclair, the poet whose imprisonment for marijuana inspired the start of Ann Arbor’s long-running annual Hash Bash in the 1970s, has died. He was 82.Sinclair's passing occurred on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at a Detroit hospital, merely four days prior to his...
If you feel like your case has been or could be affected by the inaccuracy of the MSP’s marijuana testing results contact our office immediately! Call 800-656-3557
Michigan State Police locked up more than 3,000 people because of faulty marijuana tests, according to internal memo The drug tests failed to distinguish between THC and CBD
Michigan State Police relied on faulty testing to produce criminal charges in about 3,250 cases since March 2019 in which a driver was allegedly under the influence of marijuana and no other drugs or alcohol.
In a letter to prosecutors sent on Wednesday, Jeffrey Nye, director of MSP’s Forensic Science Division, acknowledged that the tests could not have conclusively proven the driver was intoxicated by cannabis.
The significance of this discovery cannot be overstated. As many as 3,250 people may have been wrongfully arrested and convicted based on faulty testing.
Komorn Law has been the leading law firm bringing awareness to the public about alleged lab scandals they come across or uncover through client representation. If you need your case reviewed or you have a current charge regarding anything to do with marijuana there is no better versed or more knowledgeable than Attorney Michael Komorn.
WXYZ ABC Report 8/31/22
(WXYZ) — The Michigan State Police say more than three thousand cases involving alleged marijuana impairment could have been false positives. Last week, the MSP Forensic Science Division announced they were halting all testing of marijuana drug samples due to the possibility that the tests were positive for CBD, rather than just THC. The state police warned prosecutors not to rely on the THC toxicology results until they could learn more about the alleged problems in the testing.
THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana. CBD is a chemical found in marijuana that does not produce a high, and CBD has not been considered a controlled substance in Michigan since March 28, 2019.
In a letter sent to prosecutors across the state today, MSP Forensic Science Division Director Jeffrey Nye said approximately 3,250 THC cases since March 28, 2019 could be impacted. The cases identified have an “alleged violation [that] is based on the finding of THC alone and there is insufficient evidence of impairment, intoxication or recent use of marihuana to otherwise support the charged offense.”
According to Nye’s letter, the identified 3,250 cases “did not have other drugs within the scope of analysis and/or alcohol detected above the 0.08% legal threshold.
Official Statement: State Police Halts THC Toxicology Testing and Takes Steps to Ensure Transparency, Accuracy After Technical Issue with CBD
August 31, 2022
Statement by Col. Joe Gasper, Director
The Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division (MSP/FSD) is committed to providing the highest standard of forensic services to the criminal justice community. The MSP/FSD is accredited in toxicology and analyzes approximately 20,000 samples annually for the presence of alcohol and/or drugs pursuant to a forensic examination request. The men and women who work in the MSP/FSD strive to provide laboratory testing services that are timely, transparent, and scientifically accurate.
The MSP/FSD has halted all THC toxicology testing due to a technical issue in which samples containing Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, may be converted to Tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC, during the testing process, leading to potentially inaccurate test results.
CBD, which is structurally similar to THC, was illegal in Michigan until March 28, 2019. Since that date, however, CBD, which is reported to have no psychoactive properties, has been legal under Michigan law.
When the issue first came to our attention on August 19, 2022, the MSP/FSD immediately launched a significant evaluation of our testing process. The evaluation found the laboratory confirmatory method in use may cause 1) THC to be identified when the sample contains THC, 2) THC to be identified when the sample contains a combination of THC and CBD, or 3) THC to be identified when the sample contains CBD alone.
Upon this discovery, the MSP/FSD immediately halted the processing of samples using the current THC confirmation test. Notification was also made to the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan on August 25, 2022, for dissemination to prosecutors statewide to prevent these reports from being used in any current or pending court cases.
After further review, we now believe this discrepancy may impact cases that occurred on or after March 28, 2019, where the alleged violation is based on the finding of THC alone and there is insufficient evidence of impairment, intoxication, or recent use of marijuana to otherwise support the charged offense.
Laboratory data indicates there are approximately 3,250 laboratory reports that may be impacted. These are reports in which there was a THC-confirmed result without other drugs present or alcohol detected above the 0.08% blood alcohol content legal threshold. These individual cases are being identified and will be shared with the prosecuting attorney of record for further investigation as to any potential impact to the individual involved.
In addition to temporarily halting testing of THC samples and disclosing the issue to prosecutors, the MSP/FSD has taken the following action steps:
Reported the issue to our accrediting body, ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), and requested they conduct an independent review.
Temporarily halted the disposal of blood samples to preserve this evidence should re-analysis be required.
Started validating a new cannabinoid confirmatory method that will be able to distinguish CBD from THC. This method will be validated before being put into use to ensure similar issues with drug interference will not happen in the future.
Started the process to establish a contract with a private, accredited laboratory for processing THC samples in the interim before the new method is validated.
The MSP/FSD remains committed to providing the highest standard of forensic services to the criminal justice community. We have demonstrated this commitment through accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 International Standards and voluntarily incorporating forensic standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) into our laboratory management system, among other efforts. The MSP/FSD continues to strive to be timely, transparent and ethical in our response to this emerging technical issue.
Letter To “Criminal Justice” Partners
Michigan-State-Police-Letter Release – Page 2
If you or someone you know has been accused of a crime, DUI or Drugged Driving. Call Komorn Law PLLC and turn your defense into an offense. Call Now 248-357-2550
DISCLAIMER This post may contain re-posted content, opinions, comments, ads, third party posts, outdated information, posts from disgruntled persons, posts from those with agendas and general internet BS. Therefore…Before you believe anything on the internet regarding anything – do your research on Official Government and State Sites, Call the Michigan State Police, Check the State Attorney General Website and Consult an Attorney – Use Your Brain.
(WXYZ) — The Michigan State Police say more than three thousand cases involving alleged marijuana impairment could have been false positives. Last week, the MSP Forensic Science Division announced they were halting all testing of marijuana drug samples due to the possibility that the tests were positive for CBD, rather than just THC. The state police warned prosecutors not to rely on the THC toxicology results until they could learn more about the alleged problems in the testing.
THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana. CBD is a chemical found in marijuana that does not produce a high, and CBD has not been considered a controlled substance in Michigan since March 28, 2019.
In a letter sent to prosecutors across the state today, MSP Forensic Science Division Director Jeffrey Nye said approximately 3,250 THC cases since March 28, 2019 could be impacted. The cases identified have an “alleged violation [that] is based on the finding of THC alone and there is insufficient evidence of impairment, intoxication or recent use of marihuana to otherwise support the charged offense.”
According to Nye’s letter, the identified 3,250 cases “did not have other drugs within the scope of analysis and/or alcohol detected above the 0.08% legal threshold.
Komorn Law has been the leading law firm bringing awareness to the public about alleged lab scandals they come across or uncover through client representation. If you need your case reviewed or you have a current charge regarding anything to do with marijuana there is no better versed or more knowledgeable than Attorney Michal Komorn.
From Michigan.gov
Official Statement: State Police Halts THC Toxicology Testing and Takes Steps to Ensure Transparency, Accuracy After Technical Issue with CBD
August 31, 2022
Statement by Col. Joe Gasper, Director
The Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division (MSP/FSD) is committed to providing the highest standard of forensic services to the criminal justice community. The MSP/FSD is accredited in toxicology and analyzes approximately 20,000 samples annually for the presence of alcohol and/or drugs pursuant to a forensic examination request. The men and women who work in the MSP/FSD strive to provide laboratory testing services that are timely, transparent, and scientifically accurate.
The MSP/FSD has halted all THC toxicology testing due to a technical issue in which samples containing Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, may be converted to Tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC, during the testing process, leading to potentially inaccurate test results.
CBD, which is structurally similar to THC, was illegal in Michigan until March 28, 2019. Since that date, however, CBD, which is reported to have no psychoactive properties, has been legal under Michigan law.
When the issue first came to our attention on August 19, 2022, the MSP/FSD immediately launched a significant evaluation of our testing process. The evaluation found the laboratory confirmatory method in use may cause 1) THC to be identified when the sample contains THC, 2) THC to be identified when the sample contains a combination of THC and CBD, or 3) THC to be identified when the sample contains CBD alone.
Upon this discovery, the MSP/FSD immediately halted the processing of samples using the current THC confirmation test. Notification was also made to the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan on August 25, 2022, for dissemination to prosecutors statewide to prevent these reports from being used in any current or pending court cases.
After further review, we now believe this discrepancy may impact cases that occurred on or after March 28, 2019, where the alleged violation is based on the finding of THC alone and there is insufficient evidence of impairment, intoxication, or recent use of marijuana to otherwise support the charged offense.
Laboratory data indicates there are approximately 3,250 laboratory reports that may be impacted. These are reports in which there was a THC-confirmed result without other drugs present or alcohol detected above the 0.08% blood alcohol content legal threshold. These individual cases are being identified and will be shared with the prosecuting attorney of record for further investigation as to any potential impact to the individual involved.
In addition to temporarily halting testing of THC samples and disclosing the issue to prosecutors, the MSP/FSD has taken the following action steps:
Reported the issue to our accrediting body, ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), and requested they conduct an independent review.
Temporarily halted the disposal of blood samples to preserve this evidence should re-analysis be required.
Started validating a new cannabinoid confirmatory method that will be able to distinguish CBD from THC. This method will be validated before being put into use to ensure similar issues with drug interference will not happen in the future.
Started the process to establish a contract with a private, accredited laboratory for processing THC samples in the interim before the new method is validated.
The MSP/FSD remains committed to providing the highest standard of forensic services to the criminal justice community. We have demonstrated this commitment through accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 International Standards and voluntarily incorporating forensic standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) into our laboratory management system, among other efforts. The MSP/FSD continues to strive to be timely, transparent and ethical in our response to this emerging technical issue.
Letter To “Criminal Justice” Partners
Michigan-State-Police-Letter Release – Page 2
If you or someone you know has been accused of a crime, DUI or Drugged Driving. Call Komorn Law PLLC and turn your defense into an offense. Call Now 248-357-2550
DISCLAIMER This post may contain re-posted content, opinions, comments, ads, third party posts, outdated information, posts from disgruntled persons, posts from those with agendas and general internet BS. Therefore…Before you believe anything on the internet regarding anything – do your research on Official Government and State Sites, Call the Michigan State Police, Check the State Attorney General Website and Consult an Attorney – Use Your Brain.
The Michigan State Police Crime lab on Thursday, Aug. 25, notified prosecutors across the state that there’s a problem with marijuana testing in blood.
“The MSP Forensic Science Division is examining a discrepancy discovered earlier this week in THC blood testing results in which the presence of CBD in a blood sample may have led to a positive result for THC,” MSP spokesperson Shanon Banner said in an email sent to MLive Friday. “Out of an abundance of caution (MSP) today notified the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan that we are immediately halting the processing of all THC blood samples as we work to learn more and/or until we can institute another validated method of testing to ensure accuracy.”
The toxicology test confuses CBD, which does not induce a high, with THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, according to a verbal notice provided to the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan (PAAM), President and Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd said.
CBD is not a controlled substance.
Michael Komorn, a Farmington Hills-based attorney who also specializes in marijuana law and criminal defense, said the issue could call into questions thousands of convictions across the state, depending on how long the problem has continued.
He’s calling for a full independent investigation into the state police crime lab and the creation of a lab that operates independently from the police force.
Komorn said blood test findings for marijuana are frequently used as a basis to prosecute driving offenses, especially when alcohol isn’t detected, including crashes that result in serious injury or death.
“I think that it’s time to get a new lab,” Komorn said. “Because the procedures and protocols that are being used here, if they’re wrong and unscientific and they’ve been convicting people wrongly because their tests are wrong, I think a criminal investigation should be opened. I think people should be held accountable.”
Komorn Law has been the leading law firm bringing awareness to the public about alleged lab scandals they come across or uncover through client representation. If you need your case reviewed or you have a current charge regarding anything to do with marijuana there is no better versed or more knowledgeable than Attorney Michal Komorn.
Michigan State Police Toxicology Unit Supervisor, Geoffrey French, has confirmed that his department’s method for testing THC levels in blood samples is unreliable. French also disclosed that MSP’s Forensic Science Division has been using their faulty THC testing process for over 20 years. Below is an excerpt of an interview this author conducted with French on August 25, 2022:
Eric VanDussen: I was wondering if you could give me any information on […] the MSP Crime Lab not being able to distinguish between THC and CBD in their, in your lab tests?
Geoff French: Yes, sir. I, I’m aware of the situation.
Eric VanDussen: Okay. And is there a memo that I could get from you regarding, that […]?
Geoff French: No, sir. There has been only verbal communication to the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan that went out this morning. The Forensic Science Division is planning on having a formal written memorandum that will also be sent to the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, but that has not been approved through proper channels at Michigan State Police at this particular point in time. And it’s not something that I’m involved in the authoring of.
Eric VanDussen: Okay. So, the legal department, basically, is fly-specking that before it gets distributed?
Geoff French: Yeah, I would say so. Yes, sir. It probably might… I mean, my guess is that it probably will go all the way up to the colonel’s office for approval before that becomes disseminated.
Eric VanDussen: Okay. Do you know how long this problem has been going on?
Geoff French: I do- well, it’s, it’s, it’s quite some time. And we’ve been using the same procedures for many, many years.
Eric VanDussen: So this could have implications on prior convictions, as well as pending cases?
Komorn Law has been the leading law firm bringing awareness to the public about alleged lab scandals they come across or uncover through client representation. If you need your case reviewed or you have a current charge regarding anything to do with marijuana there is no better versed or more knowledgeable than Attorney Michal Komorn.
DISCLAIMER This post may contain re-posted content, opinions, comments, ads, third party posts, outdated information, posts from disgruntled persons, posts from those with agendas and general internet BS. Therefore…Before you believe anything on the internet regarding anything – do your research on Official Government and State Sites, Call the Michigan State Police, Check the State Attorney General Website and Consult an Attorney – Use Your Brain.
