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3.
When Ethics Fail
In every group, regardless of viewpoint, one or more individuals will inevi-
tably decide that the end supersedes the means. At this juncture, even a code
of ethics is insufficient to prevent the actions that follow from this decision.
Whatever the agenda may be — convicting those we “know” are guilty,
discrediting DNA analysis wholesale, or simply monetary profit — these
people play by their own rules. Sometimes they act from maliciousness,
sometimes from their perception of a greater good, sometimes from coercion
or confusion. Whatever the intent, whatever the motivation, we know that
unethical behavior occurs and, like laboratory contamination, we must do
what we can to prevent it and, failing that, to detect and correct it.
Throughout this book, we have made a point of referring to criminalists
or forensic scientists, rather than “prosecution experts” or “defense experts.”
This was done quite deliberately to emphasize that the science is the same,
regardless of client or destination. However, at this juncture, we can no longer
avoid the issue. Unscrupulous behavior by scientists frequently stems from
choosing a “side” or being a “team player.” As it so happens, the consequences
of corrupt behavior by scientists working for the prosecution can be much
more serious than that of a defense expert whose role is merely to comment
on the work.
 
a.
Unethical Prosecution Experts
Because of the nature of the justice system, at least in the United States, crimes
are charged by the prosecution, encumbering them with the burden of proof.
However, this also gives the prosecution team the first chance at analyzing
any physical evidence — or at destroying any possibility of analyzing it. Even
should the defense choose to reanalyze some of the evidence, they accept it
with choices that have already been made. These include decisions about
collection, preservation, sampling, analysis, and consumption. There may
simply be no evidence left to analyze. The consequent custodial responsibility
of the scientists charged with the initial evidence evaluation and analysis also
provides opportunities to mishandle, conceal, misrepresent, or otherwise
manipulate the evidence or the data. The limited and ephemeral nature of
forensic evidence provides few second opportunities for a full analysis. Addi-
tionally, the defense is usually lucky to find funding for an expert to review
the data, never mind reanalyze the evidence, even if they suspect unscrupu-
lous behavior. Finally, malevolent actions by prosecution scientists are more
likely to result in a wrongful conviction of an innocent suspect than acquittal
of a guilty one. For all of these reasons, the actions of unscrupulous prose-
cution experts typically have greater ramifications for the case, and ultimately
the community, than those of defense experts.
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Ethics and Accountability — The Profession of Forensic Science
317
Several scandals have erupted in recent years, including those perpetrated
by Fred Zain at the West Virginia and Bexar County Crime laboratories
(Sidebar 13) and by Allison Lancaster at the San Francisco Crime Laboratory
(Zamora, 1994; 2000). Serious questions have also been raised regarding the
internal workings of the FBI. The USDOJ/OIG Special Report documents
instances of significant testimonial errors, substandard analytical work, and
lack of requisite scientific qualifications for some examiners, in particular in
the explosives section of the laboratory (Bromwich, 1997). While Zain and
Lancaster have been taken out of commission, as a national government
institution, the FBI continues to practice forensic science with a great amount
of authority. While certain changes were made in response to the report,
including rearrangement of personnel, the hiring of a new director, and
acquiescence of the laboratory to accreditation, it is not clear if a true cultural
revolution has occurred. It remains to be seen whether the serious criticisms
that have been weathered as the millennium draws to a close will instigate a
continuing evolution at the FBI laboratory.