Policing The Police?

The Justice Department and FBI pledge an independent review of FBI laboratory protocols and procedures. The move follows the discovery of flawed forensics testimony in hundreds of criminal cases before 2000. The investigation will look at how the scientific problem occurred and why it went on for so long. Law enforcement officials also said they would continue reviewing hundreds of additional cases in which scientifically invalid testimony concerning microscopic hair analysis may have been given. At issue are cases in which hair samples were used to convict defendants. Of 268 trials already reviewed, 95 percent contained flawed testimony.