Fred Zain

Fred Zain 1

Fred Zain

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION CRMJ 310

SHALAUNDRA REED

June 2011

Fred Zain 2

Fred Zain was a forensics expert for the West Virginia State Police that rose through the ranks to eventually become Chief of Serology at the West Virginia Department of Public Safety. His notoriety led him to an even better position as Chief of Physical Evidence in Baxter County, Texas. Zain was not like any other forensics expert, in that he was not academically qualified to be in any of the positions he held within the forensics field. He graduated from what is now known as West Virginia State University with a degree in English; however, his resume stated he held a degree in Chemistry, a subject that he did not pass while attending college. This would seem to be the beginning of many years of providing false information that he would use to eventually help convict over a hundred of innocent victims. Additionally, this false information would ultimately be used against him.

Zain testified in many criminal proceedings. His ability to present his information well, his demeanor and what was understood as his indebt knowledge of his profession brought on much respect from those within the judicial system, prosecutors, judges as well as defense attorneys. “What he couldn't establish in the laboratory was arrived at through a unique form of logic called "backwards reasoning."  If the defendant is guilty, it is likely that ... is the predicate for such reasoning.  It presumes the defendant's guilt, and bases its findings on that presumption. But when you add to that presumptive base inadequate facilities, conflicting duties, an overwhelming caseload, and put them in the hands of an unqualified "expert," you have the prescription for disaster.” (Berry, 1999) The problem was that Zain was so good at convincing people he was right, that no one ever questioned the validity of his testimonies.

Zain’s world eventually fell apart when the...