Fresno Criminal Defense Attorney Jonathan Rooker has a unique background regarding Forensic Science and Laboratory analysis that includes testing blood for alcohol, drug identification analysis, and Forensic Toxicology.
This blog is dedicated to the Forensic Sciences, and their application to criminal defense cases. The extensive education that has been completed to reach this point in my career, where I am one of the few attorneys who is qualified and testifies as an expert witness. Forensic science has gained popularity with the general population due in part to high profile criminal cases where DNA or similar science-based evidence has been used by the prosecution and/or defense in court trial. Further, science tech police drama shows such as CSI feature science's function in the criminal law world from prior to incident (such as drinking patter, drug use, or quality of sample) through verdict, and even on appeal for certain cases.
The innocence project has freed many inmates facing life or even death sentences for crimes they were not guilty of. Many of the cases, and eventually the appeals, are based largely on science-based evidence such as blood types, DNA, and blood splatter evidence. Time of death, cause of death, and manner of death can, and routinely are based upon science.
Uncertainty is a major factor in criminal defense and any measurement has a range of uncertainty and level of confidence. Understanding the uncertainty with scientific measurements and estimations in recreation factual scenarios and trying to determine what happened is a major aspect of defending and allegation. Every measurement is subject to uncertainty, and uncertainty can lead to an acquittal in the court of law.
Please enjoy reading the blog, but keep in mind it is not intended to be taken as legal advice or used in place of an attorney.