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Scent lineups by dogs don't pass the smell test

In the wake of a report this spring by the National Academy of Sciences, more scrutiny than ever has been focused on untested and unproven forensic techniques. In that vein, yesterday, the Victoria Advocate ran a terrific story by reporter Leslie Wilber ("Does it pass the smell test," July 12) about the use of "scent lineups," a highly dubious forensic technique which, in Texas, is performed by just one man - Fort Bend Sheriff's Deputy Keith Pikett and his three bloodhounds. Wilber examines the technique closely and finds that it doesn't even enjoy national acceptance among police dog handlers:The National Police Bloodhound Association quit endorsing the technique years ago, calling scent lineups unreliable. "We don't even want to take a chance on that," said Doug Lowry, the group's president and a chief instructor...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on July 13, 2009 (boomark / email).