"Worthless" Forensic Technique

60 Minutes teamed up with the Washington Post to look into a forensic technique called “bullet lead analysis” that had been used by the FBI for over 30 years. The technique was recently found to be flawed. It wasn’t even scientifically proven. A former FBI chief metallurgist performed his own research on the testing and found that the technique isn’t “based on science at all, but rather had been based on subjective belief for over four decades.” He added, “It’s worthless as a forensic tool.” Many cases that used this technique as testimony are now being called in to question. At first, the Justice Department was reluctant to tell those who were convicted on this evidence that bullet lead analysis is flawed. But because of the story, the FBI will now “identify, review and release all of the pertinent cases.”

Here is the 60 Minutes story via the Washington Post:

The AG Had Potential

It’s a shame Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigned on Monday. A couple of weeks ago, Stephen Colbert thought he had the potential to be “Robocop. A one-man justice system.”

Violent Weekend

A weekend of bombings in Iraq, including one truck bomb near Kirkuk that killed at least 150. Reuters (video) The Iraqi parliament can’t get it together - even reach quorum - to get anything done. ABC (video)

A case attempting to challenge the NSA wiretap program was dismissed by an appeals court. The program is so secret, no one could prove it’s damaging. The irony is “the program’s secrecy is proving to be its best legal protection.” New York Times

After the attempted bombings in London and Glasgow, will the British Muslim community step up and communicate with police to expose other terror cells? Telegraph Britain needs more Muslim spies, says the country’s former domestic spy chief. (London) Times Scotland asks, “Why us?” New York Times

Brainwashed, 10-year-old, wannabe martyrs and President Musharraf’s shaky regime clash at the Red Mosque in Pakistan. (London) Times

Unemployment at over 80% and children living on the street. These photos show the “Secret Lives” of Zimbabwe. Guardian

You’ve probably been hearing a lot about private equity lately. What’s the deal? Economist

Cellphones are combining all kinds of functions these days. This one can be used for self-defense.

The Date Is Off

Dems back off on a date to withdraw from Iraq, but they - and some Republicans - still want some conditions for war funding. Washington Post It’s al-Qaeda again? Washington Post Take a look at another effort by King George to execute warrantless searches. New York Times

7/7 bombing victims call for an inquiry on how MI-5 missed the bombers. After the attack investigators said the suicide bombers were “clean skins” - unknown to MI-5. (London) Times Police were pursuing the 7/7 leader five months before the attacks. Guardian

What’s going on with the secularists in Turkey? BBC

Arrests warrants have been issued by the International Criminal Court for a Sudanese minister and a militia leader for war crimes in Darfur. Let’s see if this warrant has teeth and the men are arrested. AP/The Australian

Do you bank with JP Morgan-Chase? According to this video, they don’t dispose of their customer information properly. CNN Money

That contaminant that got into your pet’s food may have also gotten into YOUR food. Reuters (video)

Why did NASA refuse a partnership with Russia on the second Moon shot? Telegraph Meanwhile, be healthy on your trip to Mars or you might get voted off the spaceship. AP/CNN

How much do countries give in aid. Maybe a little. Maybe a lot. It depends on how you count it. Economist

Enjoy a few pints beer over the course of the week? It could make your brain smaller. (Melbourne) Age But making that pint could be good for the environment. BBC

The big De La Hoya-Mayweather fight is on Saturday night. And it will continue on Sunday, and Monday..

Moving Toward Peace

Israeli PM calls for a regional summit after Saudi leaders urge Israel to accept a 2002 peace deal. BBC

The latest on the British sailors and marines held in Iran after two more captives are put on Iranian TV. Telegraph

Both sides of the Iraq debate got very heated when talking about the spending bill for the war. Take a look and see how much Pork was attached to it. New York Times Not only that, but the corporate drug lobby had a huge amount of influence on Congress when it crafted the Medicare prescription drug bill. Not only have the drug companies profited, but so have several former Congressmen and staffers. 60 Minutes (video)

Climate Change affects poorer countries hardest. New York Times The night the lights went out in Sydney. Sydney Morning Herald

Who are you betting on? It’s Antigua and Barbuda vs. the U.S. in the legality of online gambling. Washington Post

The U.S. “has proved to be the single greatest collective human achievement of the past four centuries.” But.. Guardian

A genetic link has been found to prostate cancer. Reuters

There is a plan in play to move some events in the 2012 Olympics from London to Paris. Telegraph

This isn’t one of those “aww, that’s so cute” animal stories. Check out these “freakishly large animals” including a pet roach. No kidding. His name is Cocky. Newsweek


If You See Something, Say Something. Thanks to Brendan for pointing out the article on Congressional Pork. If you see an article you think should be posted in The Morning Joe, or you know a publication that has great content, give us a shout and tell us about it.

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9/11 Confession

In a transcript released by the Pentagon, alleged 9/11 plotter Khalid Shaikh Mohammed confessed on Saturday to being the mastermind behind the attacks on NYC, the Bali bombing and attempts at other terrorist attacks. He implied he had been tortured in captivity, but not to make this confession. New York Times

People get fired from their jobs everyday, but here’s why there’s this hub-bub over the Justice Department’s removal of those 8 federal prosecutors. San Francisco Chronicle

Conservative Republicans are looking for another Reagan to win the Oval Office in 2008. They may have found him several times over, but don’t realize it. Time

Dozens of Zimbabwean protesters were arrested horribly beaten by president Robert Mugabe’s unapologetic regime. Guardian Mugabe’s hold on power may be nearing an end. It won’t be soon enough. Telegraph

The charges against former Hewlett-Packard chair Patricia Dunn have been dropped due to her health. CNN Money

How likely is it that Viacom will win its $1 billion lawsuit against YouTube? CNET

We don’t normally like “scare the sh*t out of you” stories, but here’s one way to steal your identity you probably didn’t know about: AP/Wired Meanwhile, cyber-stalking your ex- will be more private as Google says it will add an extra layer of security to search queries. AP/Yahoo

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a Chardonnay? Pub life is changing. On Monday we told you darts in England are on the decline, now we hear Guinness sales are sinking in Ireland. Reuters

Will consistency make a difference to get Pete Rose admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame? “Charlie Hustle” said he bet on the Reds to win “every night” when he was their manager. ESPN

Before you head out to get blitzed in honor of St. Patrick, “the patron saint of bar fights,” Mark Day has some ideas on becoming a modern-day saint.