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You are here: Home / Forensics / Texas board: no review of arson convictions

Texas board: no review of arson convictions

October 28, 2011 By Alice

arsonExciting news for those interested in arson convictions. From the Mercury: “The Texas Forensic Science Commission on Friday approved 17 recommendations for improving arson inquiries. The panel also is suggesting a review of murder convictions involving fires, starting with prisoners on death row.”

Of course, reading about forensic arson detection brings to mind the cases of Daniel Dougherty(PA), David McLeod(NH) and of course, Cameron Todd Willingham(TX). If you are interested in this topic, tune in for #cclivechat on Feb 10, 2012. My guest will be Andrew Wade and he will discuss with us his specialist areas in fire investigation and physical (marks) evidence. He is more than happy to answer all your burning questions! His Twitter account is here. Read more here!

UPDATE: 

The Texas Forensic Science Commission released its final report in the Cameron Todd Willingham fire investigation last Friday. The final report listed 17 recommendations to modernize arson investigations. As directed by the Commission, Blackburn is working with the State Fire Marshall’s Office to now backtrack and review more than 700 arson cases. Read more here.

Cameron Todd Willingham was executed in 2004, 13 years after a fire killed his three daughters. Prosecutors argued that Willingham deliberately set the 1991 blaze but three reviews of the evidence by outside experts found the fire should not have been ruled arson. Willingham was executed for accidental fire. In 2014, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied a petition to vacate his conviction. The Board’s indifference in this case is a disgrace.

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Filed Under: Forensics, Miscarriages of Justice Tagged With: Arson Detection, Capital Punishment, Forensic arson detection, Wrongful Convictions

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  1. Trial starts in the Hina Family Murders says:
    October 31, 2015 at 10:15 am

    […] about the forensic arson analysis. Were any accelerants found? We know from past cases that some accidental fires were ruled arson only to be reversed on appeal. Those cases were re-examined with modern technology. Just look up […]

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Dina Fort

Author Notes

I am a true crime writer raising awareness for old unsolved cases from the pre-DNA era that are in need of renewed media attention. I do not actively investigate these cases. I leave that to the professionals.

My posts are about homicides, missing and unidentified people, wrongful convictions, and forensics as related to old cases.

I review books but only select works of true crime, crime fiction, and historical fiction and/or mysteries.

My database has more than 289 cases listed by the victim’s last name. You will find a brief description there as well.

All case suggestions that come in by email for writing considerations are added to my to-do list in the order in which they were received. Please be patient as my to-do list is very long.

If you have any questions about my website please check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, the about page, and the tabs in both menu bars. If you still cannot find the answer there, please contact me.

Thank you, Alice de Sturler

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Copyright: Please add a link back if you use my work. Let your readers know where you found your information. I do the same for you. If you need help with this, just contact me. Thank you, Alice de Sturler

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