FRONTLINE: The Real "CSI" DVD

Comments about PBS FRONTLINE: The Real "CSI" DVD:

This is not much a documentary, but more of a series of one-sided arguments that have been presented for the past several years without success. Many of these arguments concerning the firearm and fingerprint disciplines, once presented in court, where both sides of the argument are heard were not successful.

For example, the documentary references the statement: "Fingerprints are infallible." To my knowledge the FBI never officially claimed fingerprint evidence was infallible – well, the word infallible was motioned once in the forward of an FBI book on fingerprints. Even then, the unknown author seemed to be referring to individual identification based on a fingerprint "booking" card – a form of identification that is a close to infallible as any evidence processed by humans can be. Fingerprint evidence is probably the most reliable evidence introduced into court.

Even the time spent on the bogus certificates was of limited value. An expert witness must be qualified as such and I suspect a witness would have a difficult time using the bogus certificate to justify qualifications in a specialty area. Of course I would like to see these bogus certificates mills go out of business. But I think more damage was done by the incomplete information presented in this "documentary."

I do think any person interested in forensics should view this "documentary." People should be exposed to all sides of an issue. Just keep an open mind and do a little research.

Comments about PBS FRONTLINE: The Real "CSI" DVD:

Every jurors should view this first inorder not to be influenced by CSI TV. Also a must see for every Prosecutor.