November 18, 2008
Sun coverage: City crime lab problems
Edgar Koch
Dubious science
Forensic evidence - DNA on a victim, gunshot residue on a hand, fingerprints on a weapon - holds a special place in courtrooms, often treated as irrefutable proof that police have nabbed the bad guy. But the labs processing that prized evidence can sometimes become the suspects.
Accrediting agency to review city crime laboratory
The national accrediting agency for crime laboratories will visit Baltimore in the wake of revelations that city lab employees contaminated evidence with their own DNA.
Murder trial delayed
The trial of a man accused of killing an off-duty Baltimore police officer has been delayed until tomorrow morning so that his defense attorney can prepare to cross-examine the Police Department's DNA section chief about recent reports of evidence contamination.
Lab issues sure to arise in court
Relying on a hit from the state DNA database, Baltimore police arrested a suspect last year in the long-unsolved rape and killing of Lisa Barselou, a 26-year-old who was assaulted and then submerged in the bathtub of her Bolton Hill home in 1989.
City crime lab director fired
Baltimore crime analysts have been contaminating evidence with their own DNA - a revelation that led to the dismissal this week of the city Police Department's crime lab director and prompted questions yesterday from defense attorneys and forensic experts about the professionalism of the state's biggest and busiest crime lab.
 2008 city homicidesHomicides since Jan. 1: 186 > Search our interactive database of homicides in Baltimore City  Baltimore City photosSee what's going on in your neighborhood > More photo galleries  A roundup of crimes reported in Baltimore City and Baltimore County |
Popular stories: Maryland News
- A killer will spend his life in prison; a family might finally find peace
- Two men fatally shot in city overnight
- 4 indicted in Southern Md. bank robbery
- Police say man who stabbed wife is shot by officer
- Half of light rail halted indefinitely
 | |
Charm CityscapesSubmit photos of scenes around the city and look at those from other readers Also see: My Maryland | |