Cadaver dogs are unreliable - Eugene Zapata

[Vertigo Swirl]

The problem is in my opinion is that those involved in the testing of dogs are usually those who also have a vested interest in them. 

[G-Unit]

There was a lot more to the Bianca Jones case than people are making out. The killer was not just convicted because of the dogs alone. There was a great deal of circumstantial evidence ( of which the dog alerts were included) and the witnesses who supposedly saw her alive afterwards were deemed unreliable for various reasons.

  DiAndre Lane admitted beating her that night and early morning, he had a 2 feet long stick that he had made especially for beating his kids.  His girlfriend heard 'screams' as he was doing it.   He felt the need to admit that after the beating, Bianca 'fell and banged her head' and he hit her more to keep her awake in case she fell unconscious. In the morning he put her in the car seat and his other kids said she was 'silent with a blanket over he face'. One of the other kids also testified about her fathers violence and injuries she was caused by having clothing stuffed in her mouth whilst being beaten.  Then she disappeared in a 45 minute period that Lane could not account for.
 
The dogs methods and training was supported in court by Rex Stockham who was in charge of canine training at the FBI. The court was satisfied that training was sufficient and the methods used meant the evidence could be admitted. Stockham was a forensic scientist and he wrote various peer reviewed papers on dog training.

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/mi-court-of-appeals/1683760.html

"At trial, FBI Canine Program Manager Rex Stockham testified as an expert in forensic canine operation. Stockham testified about the process of training and testing victim recovery dogs. Stockham's protocol called for regular single-and double-blind testing of dogs throughout their working lives. Stockham's program had three full-time handlers in its program, including Martin Grime. Stockham testified that he had tested Morse and Keela, Grime's dogs, and that both dogs had accuracy ratings in the high 90 percent range. Stockham testified that dogs have been able to smell the odor of decomposition as soon as 2 hours after a victim's death, or years after a victim's burial.

Grime testified as an expert in the training and employment of cadaver dogs. According to Grime, he is a full-time contractor for the FBI. Grime worked with Morse, a dog “trained to search for and detect the odor of decomposing human remains,” and Keela, “trained to search for and locate specifically human blood.” Grime testified that there was no methodology to test the dogs' responses when there is no recoverable material, and that the odor of decomposition may transfer if a person touches a dead body and then touches something else.

According to Grime, on December 4, 2011, he took his dogs to an enclosed warehouse that contained 31 vehicles. Grime was told that Bianca was in one of the vehicles at the time of the carjacking, but was not told which vehicle was involved. Morse alerted Grime to the presence of the odor of decomposition in the back seat and trunk of a silver Grand Marquis. Keela later screened the car and did not alert Grime to the presence of human blood.

Grime testified that, after the vehicle screening, he took the dogs to an administrative building to screen the items removed from Dungey's car. Grime did not know where the objects were located in the building, and the objects had been placed in a room filled with “all sorts of things.” Morse alerted Grime to the odor of decomposition in Bianca's car seat and a bag containing Bianca's blanket. Grime later took the dogs to Dungey's house. Morse alerted him to the odor of decomposition in a room that contained bunk beds and a closet without a door."

"......In Norwood, this Court held that tracking dog evidence is sufficiently reliable if the proponent of the evidence shows four things:

(1) the handler was qualified to use the dog; (2) the dog was trained and accurate in tracking humans; (3) the dog was placed on the trail where circumstances indicate the alleged guilty party to have been; and, (4) the trail had not become so stale or contaminated as to be beyond the dog's competency to follow it. [16 ]

We reject Lane's argument that, because chemical evidence cannot corroborate whether there was decomposition at the locations Morse identified in this case, the evidence must be excluded as unreliable. Clearly, the four-part test adopted by this Court to ensure the reliability of tracking dog evidence does not exactly correlate to the use of cadaver dogs. However, cadaver dog evidence is not significantly different from other forms of tracking dog evidence. Tracking dogs and cadaver dogs both use a precise sense of smell to identify scents that are outside the range of human ability to detect. Scientific devices can no more follow the scent left on a piece of discarded clothing from the scene of a robbery to a person's home than they can identify the smell of decomposing human remains. Just as it is not a reason to exclude all tracking dog evidence, the lack of scientific verification of the presence of a specific scent is not a reason to exclude cadaver dog evidence in a blanket fashion. We conclude that the trial court must instead consider the reliability of the cadaver dog evidence in each case."

  So I don't think the dog evidence was relied on too heavily, or included in the trial without thorough assessment.
D'Andre Lane was proven to be a habitual abuser of his kids and a liar. The dog evidence supports that he lied and  that Bianca died as the result of his abuse. In this case Rex Stockam estimated the dogs of having a 90% + accuracy rate , the dog evidence was taken on a case by case basis depending on the accuracy of the training methods and other factors.  I don't see any reason why this could not be done in the McCann case.

Thank you Gertrude. This case had a lot of circumstantial evidence of which the dog alerts were a part. In the McCann case there was a lack of such evidence, which is probably why the investigators syspected accidental death rather than murder.

[Gertrude]

The problem is in my opinion is that those involved in the testing of dogs are usually those who also have a vested interest in them.

And you don't bother to do any research on Rex Stockham, just make a vast sweeping generalisation. Do you usually think that of experts who testify in court, pathologists, doctors, ballistics? Are they all in it to promote themselves?


He was a forensic scientist, highly regarded, on the boards of government organisations and employed by the FBI, he vote various scientific papers.

https://swgdog.fiu.edu/membership/in-memory-of-rex-stockham/

"In Memory of Rex Stockham

Rex Aaron Stockham, 53, a Supervisory Special Agent in the Laboratory Division in the FBI, passed away on Saturday, October 8, 2016, after an 18 month battle with cancer.

Rex was a founding member of the Scientific Working Group on Dog and Orthogonal detector Guidelines (SWGDOG), served on the Executive Board and co-chaired the Scent Dogs Subcommittee. More recently, Rex was a member of the Dogs and Sensors subcommittee of Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC).

Rex graduated in 1984 with a degree in Chemistry from West Liberty State College in West Virginia and earned a Master’s Degree in Forensic Science from George Washington University.

Rex began his FBI career in 1984 as a Mail Clerk and was promoted to a Technician in the Laboratory Division’s Explosives Unit. He entered New Agents’ Class in May 1988, and upon graduation, was transferred to the Houston Division, where he investigated Violent Crimes. In 1988, he transferred back to the Laboratory Division as an Explosives Examiner in the Explosives Unit. In 2005, he transferred to the Laboratory Division’s Evidence Response Team Unit and was most recently assigned to the Laboratory Division’s Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center. He was a Board member of the Scientific Working Group on Dog and Orthogonal Detection Guidelines (SWGDOG), and a member of the National Institute for Standards and Technology – Dogs and Sensors Subcommittee (NIST), where he was an active contributor for developing training and certification standards for numerous disciplines of detector canines. He had peer reviewed scientific articles published in Forensic Science Communication and Forensic Science International.

Rex worked numerous high profile cases, including the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Bombing in Oklahoma City; Shanksville, Pennsylvania; Amerithrax; the Pentagon and DC Sniper cases; the Boston Bombing, numerous international bombing investigations, and the Jessica Ridgeway, Gabrielle Swainson, and Holly Bobo child abduction and murder investigations.

Rex believed his greatest accomplishment with the Bureau was the work he and his team did in developing the FBI’s Forensic Canine Program, one of the only scientifically backed canine law enforcement programs in the world. He was responsible for creating one of the only researched-based programs used with forensic canines to help augment investigations. He pioneered new techniques and practices for the use of human scent evidence and victim recovery canines in investigations. These techniques and practices are still in use today.

His impact on the advancement of canine training philosophies has assisted numerous law enforcement agencies in canine casework successes. He often partnered with the Behavioral Analysis Unit, Cellular Analysis Survey Team, and Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team to develop comprehensive search strategies.

Rex was recognized as a subject matter expert for canine testimony and successfully withstood a Daubert challenge for human scent evidence in the 9th Circuit Court.''

[Gertrude]

Thank you Gertrude. This case had a lot of circumstantial evidence of which the dog alerts were a part. In the McCann case there was a lack of such evidence, which is probably why the investigators syspected accidental death rather than murder.

Interesting point about the accidental death. I think in the Lane case, the accused admitted abuse and that the child was unconscious at some point. He was probably afraid they would find the body and so tried to make it seem like an accident. So in terms of circumstantial evidence, that's pretty strong.
   

[Mr Gray]

The problem is in my opinion is that those involved in the testing of dogs are usually those who also have a vested interest in them.

Was it £450 per day amaral was charging....he's obviously  going to praise the abilities  of his dogs

[Gertrude]

Was it £450 per day amaral was charging....he's obviously  going to praise the abilities  of his dogs

 What has that got to do with Rex Stockham stating Grime's dogs and training methods were over 90% accurate in the Bianca Jones case?
 

[Vertigo Swirl]

And you don't bother to do any research on Rex Stockham, just make a vast sweeping generalisation. Do you usually think that of experts who testify in court, pathologists, doctors, ballistics? Are they all in it to promote themselves?


He was a forensic scientist, highly regarded, on the boards of government organisations and employed by the FBI, he vote various scientific papers.

https://swgdog.fiu.edu/membership/in-memory-of-rex-stockham/

"In Memory of Rex Stockham

Rex Aaron Stockham, 53, a Supervisory Special Agent in the Laboratory Division in the FBI, passed away on Saturday, October 8, 2016, after an 18 month battle with cancer.

Rex was a founding member of the Scientific Working Group on Dog and Orthogonal detector Guidelines (SWGDOG), served on the Executive Board and co-chaired the Scent Dogs Subcommittee. More recently, Rex was a member of the Dogs and Sensors subcommittee of Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC).

Rex graduated in 1984 with a degree in Chemistry from West Liberty State College in West Virginia and earned a Master’s Degree in Forensic Science from George Washington University.

Rex began his FBI career in 1984 as a Mail Clerk and was promoted to a Technician in the Laboratory Division’s Explosives Unit. He entered New Agents’ Class in May 1988, and upon graduation, was transferred to the Houston Division, where he investigated Violent Crimes. In 1988, he transferred back to the Laboratory Division as an Explosives Examiner in the Explosives Unit. In 2005, he transferred to the Laboratory Division’s Evidence Response Team Unit and was most recently assigned to the Laboratory Division’s Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center. He was a Board member of the Scientific Working Group on Dog and Orthogonal Detection Guidelines (SWGDOG), and a member of the National Institute for Standards and Technology – Dogs and Sensors Subcommittee (NIST), where he was an active contributor for developing training and certification standards for numerous disciplines of detector canines. He had peer reviewed scientific articles published in Forensic Science Communication and Forensic Science International.

Rex worked numerous high profile cases, including the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Bombing in Oklahoma City; Shanksville, Pennsylvania; Amerithrax; the Pentagon and DC Sniper cases; the Boston Bombing, numerous international bombing investigations, and the Jessica Ridgeway, Gabrielle Swainson, and Holly Bobo child abduction and murder investigations.

Rex believed his greatest accomplishment with the Bureau was the work he and his team did in developing the FBI’s Forensic Canine Program, one of the only scientifically backed canine law enforcement programs in the world. He was responsible for creating one of the only researched-based programs used with forensic canines to help augment investigations. He pioneered new techniques and practices for the use of human scent evidence and victim recovery canines in investigations. These techniques and practices are still in use today.

His impact on the advancement of canine training philosophies has assisted numerous law enforcement agencies in canine casework successes. He often partnered with the Behavioral Analysis Unit, Cellular Analysis Survey Team, and Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team to develop comprehensive search strategies.

Rex was recognized as a subject matter expert for canine testimony and successfully withstood a Daubert challenge for human scent evidence in the 9th Circuit Court.''

Yes, I’m well aware of all that thanks and was not referring to him but to those who are involved in tests which involve their own dogs, clearly there is a conflict of interests there, if not please explain why not.

[Mr Gray]

What has that got to do with Rex Stockham stating Grime's dogs and training methods were over 90% accurate in the Bianca Jones case?
 

Without details of the tests the figure is meaningless..

[G-Unit]

Yes, I’m well aware of all that thanks and was not referring to him but to those who are involved in tests which involve their own dogs, clearly there is a conflict of interests there, if not please explain why not.

Trainers and handlers don't test their own dogs. The tests are organised by others.

[Mr Gray]

Trainers and handlers don't test their own dogs. The tests are organised by others.

Again... Without details of the tests the figures, are meaningless

[Gertrude]

Yes, I’m well aware of all that thanks and was not referring to him but to those who are involved in tests which involve their own dogs, clearly there is a conflict of interests there, if not please explain why not.

 Why not refer to him? Your comment came after my one on the Bianca Jones testimony so I thought you may be.  He supported what Grime said in the Bianca Jones case and said Grime's dogs and methods were accurate. So why would someone who is a respected scientist and expert witness not consider that Grime was a biased 'self promoter'. Do you not think he weighed that up?  If Grime had such a bias into his own dogs and their testing why let Rex Stockham get involved at all, he might expose Grime for being this self promoting charlatan that many accuse him of being. Big chance for Grime to take if he is this flaky self promoter who's dogs are not that good.

  To me this shows Martin Grime was willing to be tested by others. You state 'conflict of interest', I would say like any other expert he has confidence in his methods, or he wouldn't be deemed an expert.

[Gertrude]

Without details of the tests the figure is meaningless..

Then why did the court of Michigan accept Grime's dogs based on Stockham's assessment?

[Vertigo Swirl]

Trainers and handlers don't test their own dogs. The tests are organised by others.

Who tested Eddie and conferred on him the rank of Enhanced Victim Recovery Dog?

[Vertigo Swirl]

Why not refer to him? Your comment came after my one on the Bianca Jones testimony so I thought you may be.  He supported what Grime said in the Bianca Jones case and said Grime's dogs and methods were accurate. So why would someone who is a respected scientist and expert witness not consider that Grime was a biased 'self promoter'. Do you not think he weighed that up?  If Grime had such a bias into his own dogs and their testing why let Rex Stockham get involved at all, he might expose Grime for being this self promoting charlatan that many accuse him of being. Big chance for Grime to take if he is this flaky self promoter who's dogs are not that good.

  To me this shows Martin Grime was willing to be tested by others. You state 'conflict of interest', I would say like any other expert he has confidence in his methods, or he wouldn't be deemed an expert.

According to Grime’s LinkedIn page he and Stockham worked closely together on a number of projects prior to the case you refer to.   Could he therefore be considered completely independent and impartial?

[Eleanor]

Who tested Eddie and conferred on him the rank of Enhanced Victim Recovery Dog?

Martin Grime.  Although God knows what that means.  No one actually knows, least of all Eddie.