FBI, Justice pledge review after flawed hair analysis

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Justice Department and FBI are pledging an independent review of FBI laboratory protocols and procedures following the discovery of flawed forensics testimony in hundreds of cases.

Law enforcement officials also said Monday that they would review hundreds of additional cases in which scientifically invalid testimony may have been given.

The steps were outlined in a joint statement with the Innocence Project and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, which are also working on the problem.

The Justice Department says it has concluded that specialized FBI examiners gave flawed testimony on microscopic hair analysis in more than 90 percent of cases examined so far as part of an ongoing review. The review focuses on cases before 2000.

The FBI now uses DNA testing to analyze hair in criminal cases.