Santa Clara County Lab Criminalist Investigated

According to the San Jose Mercury News, Santa Clara County crime labratory has suspended Mark Moriyama from conducting fiber testing because he failed a recertification test. He had performed fiber and glass analyses, among other things, at the lab.

The newspaper also reported that in one case, Moriyama analyzed clothing and concluded certain oils were present. When the clothing was retested by a state labratory, it was concluded the oils were not present. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, which runs the county lab, is currently investigating the matter.

The information might constitute new exculpatory evidence (see Brady v. Maryland (1963) 373 U.S. 83). Panel attorneys should review cases in which the criminalist testified or did lab tests to see if there might be grounds for a habeas corpus petition. If so, contact your SDAP buddy.

February 8, 2007


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