It’s been decades since the intersection of forensic science and criminal justice first became a pop culture phenomenon, popularized by countless TV shows, movies and books. But the public’s growing awareness of forensic techniques obscures a far more complex field that’s chock full of bogus science — and the people who champion it, often for profit.
For years, ProPublica has reported on these dubious techniques as they’ve wormed their way into every corner of our real-life criminal justice system.
So, what’s legitimate forensic science and what’s junk? Let’s start with the basics.
What Is Junk Science?
Junk science refers to any theory or method presented as scientific fact without sufficient research or evidence to support it. Some types of junk science have virtually no
— source scheerpost.com | Sophia Kovatch, Pamela Colloff, Brett Murphy | Feb 1, 2023