I’ve never really understood science. First off, you can’t even see a lot of it. Second, it involves all those scientific words that have no meaning for regular folks. Or worse, meanings that are different from the ones we once knew. I believe scientists (nerds) make ‘em up, striving to obfuscate, rather than educate. When that’s not enough they invent new words, to keep us regular folks impressed (confused?).
 It’s ok that they do this, most of the time. I mean they work on big important things that us regular folks aren’t interested in anyway, right? No need for us actually understand what they’re doing. Most of the time.
 Every once in awhile we hear from them. They’ve made a wonderful “break-through” discovery of some sort. This is conveniently reported to us in words we little folks can understand. There’s a reason this part always makes sense. It’s because following their report, there’s always a request before congress to send them more (tax-payer) money. So they can continue doing important scientific work (to benefit of the rest of us?).
 There’re so many scientific folks working on so many scientific things, I rarely pay attention. Figuring long as they spend less of my tax money on science than pork-barrel projects, live and let live, right?
But recently I’ve read some very disturbing reports in the papers about “Lead” (and science). Not the lead in toys or under some old battery factory that’s got so many folks in an uproar. This particular lead you’ve probably never thought about.
 I’m referring to lead found in bullets. Specifically, lead from bullets fired during a crime. Lead then analysed by forensic scientists and ultimately used to convict people of crimes. You’re thinkin’ big deal, scientists look at a bullet under a microscope, compare the marks on it with a firearm and..., poof! Guilty Verdict.
 Nope! Too easy, too little science, why even regular folks could do that. I’m talking about reports showing that nearly 40 years ago some nerd (oops, scientist) came up with “Lead Fingerprint” science.
 The FBI and our courts immediately saw this as a great advancement in “scientific” evidence! So for nearly 40 years the courts relied on FBI experts to tell them exactly (scientifically!) where the lead in specific bullets came from. Right down to the manufacturers box! This scientific evidence was used to “prove” a specific bullet came from a specific gun and a specific shooter. Who then went to jail.
 Now it comes out that the FBI was using what turns out to be “junk science”! “Science” based on little more than fancy scientific words and a generous helping of horse-pucky!!
 The real crime is there are many people (thousands?) in prisons based on that “science” the FBI used! Prisoners finding out (often too late to appeal) that they were put away by junk science! This causes me to worry a little more about science than I had in the past. I mean if we’re locking people up based on “scientific” evidence perhaps ordinary people (jurors maybe?) should understand it first?
 Admittedly, I have trouble completely buyin’ into fingerprint evidence. There are so many people in the world it just seems far-fetched that not one duplicate set exists? Still, I figure after all these years it’s gotta be true or someone woulda found out? At least you and I can see fingerprints (so we can be pretty sure they’re real). We’re also (reasonably) sure somewhere in government data banks they actually do keep ‘em on file for lookin’ at?
 But what about other “scientific” evidence used in our court systems to take away someones freedom?
 Specifically another “new” form of evidence..., DNA (more science you can’t see). Sure, scientists say they see it, just ask ‘em, they’ll tell ya. Right quick they’ll begin using words you won’t understand. Then they’ll trot out pictures of  itsy~bitsy, teeny~tiny little things (that might actually be there?) as proof. And just like with fingerprints they’ll tell ya, “... there’s no two alike anywhere...!” I’m bettin’ those “Lead” scientists woulda told ya the same thing!
 Now I’m thinking, what happens in a few years if (when) another scientist discovers some flaw in the DNA “evidence” we currently rely on? Will we discover we’ve been lockin’ people up based on (another) false science? Just as we’ve done all these years based on bogus “Lead Fingerprint” science? Worse, will we find we’ve been releasing convicted criminals, based incorrectly on “DNA” evidence?!
 I don’t know about you..., I figure maybe science is ok as hobby, just don’t use it to lock me up!
Cal Teeple, sole fulltime member of the tiny Observational Cogitation Consortium is often found three stools down from you. He may be ignored, accosted or contacted at: twinews@wayneindependent.com.