15-07-2014, 10:55 PM
Drew Phipps Wrote:Joan better name names. Not only is her examiner anonymous, but the alleged contacts in the licensing organization aren't named either. Joan doesn't even name the certifying agency to which she refers: It's probably the International Association for Identification (IAI), but who knows. The "note" in the file may or may not be an official document of whatever agency it is, but it doesn't sound very official.
For that matter, the IAI has 2 levels of membership, one is for "active" members that are employed, and the other is for "participating" members that are not employed. As I recall, when Darby made the print ID's he was no longer employed as a print examiner. The way I understand it, membership in the organization is a completely voluntary activity and in no way connected to competence, nor is it a prerequisite for the job. Of course it must be said that testifying experts in a criminal case darn well better have an active membership or they would risk getting discredited by the opposing side. Stripping an active member of membership for competency reasons would be better documented than with just a "note" in a file, or your organization would risk libel lawsuits.
I have read Joan Mellen's work before and I am surprised that she relies on anonymous unverifiable assertions to make a gratuitous reputation smear job. She better name some names. If she appears uninterested or unwilling, perhaps it is time to request docs from the IAI.
Edit: I have read from other sources that he was certified by IAI. Time to make them cough up their file.
Oh I expect her book will be documented. I will be MOST curious where the cite for Hofmeister comes from. Of course I doubt she will send me a complimentary copy of the book.
And yes Drew Nathan was IAI certified. He was retired of course and never charged J. ON 10/25/03 I had a joint birthday party here for Nathan and myself. Richard Bartholomew had an excellent copy of the print that had been stolen from Nathan's. Nathan had attempted to show me the match several times but not til that day sitting on my living room couch did it jump off the page for me. Glen Sample got the print under false pretenses from DPS and after that Nathan could not get another. Sample had some unnamed person who said there was no match. Later Sample traveled to Austin and met with Nathan and he too was able to see it for himself. At some point I am going to visit Nathan's son re his dad's certification.
Dawn