NCJ Number
69248
Date Published
1979
Length
58 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT EXPLAINS WHY THE BECKMAN BLOODSTAIN ANALYSIS SYSTEM (BAS), DEVELOPED BY BECKMAN INSTRUMENTS FOR THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION, IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE SYSTEM FOR LEAA. IT INCLUDES TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION OF DATA MISREPRESENTATION, DECEPTIVE USE OF PHOTOS, OTHER UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS, AND CRIME LAB AND FEASIBILITY TEST RESULTS.
Abstract
THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION ACCEPTED FROM BECKMAN INSTRUMENTS A FINAL REPORT ON THE BAS THAT IS UNSCIENTIFIC AND GENERALLY DISHONEST. LEAA GRANTED MONEY FOR WORKSHOPS TO TEACH THE BECKMAN METHODS EVEN BEFORE IT ACCEPTED THE FINAL REPORT AND MADE IT AVAILABLE TO THE FORENSIC SCIENCE COMMUNITY FOR EVALUATION. THE BECKMAN SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS STATED IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK FOR AEROSPACE. ITS BASIC METHODOLOGY DOES NOT DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY FROM CURRENT METHODS. THE 'GIMMICK' OF SIMULTANEOUS ANALYSIS OF EIGHT CONSTITUTENTS ON THREE PLATES IS AN INNOVATION THAT CAN ONLY COMPROMISE AND FURTHER COMPLICATE ALREADY COMPLEX ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES. STATISTICAL DATA AND VARIOUS TEST RESULTS SUPPORT THIS CONTENTION.