The Dubious Science of Arson Investigation

People commonly believe that science travels in a more-or-less straight line from ignorance to knowledge by collecting facts about the world. However, throughout history there have been times when scientists have had to overthrow what they thought they knew and install a new paradigm, a way of looking at the world. These times are called scientific revolutions.

Since a revolution, by definition, gets rid of old knowledge, there seems to be a contradiction between the ideas of scientific revolutions and scientific progress. A revolution would seem to be a step backwards. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions resolves this conflict by changing the way we think about scientific progress—we must give up the idea that science has a fixed end goal. Much like species evolve, science changes, adapts, and specializes to fit the times. It does not work toward some absolute “truth,” but merely continues its work of studying and understanding the world.

Stare death in the eye with Theo Von and seasoned death investigator Toby Savoy in "This Past Weekend," as they unravel the intricacies of coronial duties in Louisiana. Savoy, bringing years of experience to the table, delves into the multifaceted responsibilities of his role—from scrupulous scene analysis to the sensitive coordination of mass casualty events like Hurricane Katrina. Exposing how he navigates limited resources with uncovered grit, the show reveals the hidden adaptability and resourcefulness required in the field of death investigation.

Further cementing insights into public health, Savoy shares the grim realities of the opioid crisis, its roots, and the harrowing effects of drugs like fentanyl on the community. His proactive stance speaks volumes as he advises on safety during cultural peaks, such as Mardi Gras, to prevent tragedy. Balancing the solemnity of his job, Savoy also shares his coping mechanisms, where humor and humility inject a dose of levity into a field shadowed by loss. Behind the scenes, Theo Von interlaces the dialogue with personal endorsements, granting listeners special savings while creating dialogue on critical safety and prevention issues. Join them for a conversation that not only peels back the layers of death investigation but also reflects on its foundational role in serving and protecting the community.

Over a half-century after the civil rights movement sought justice for African Americans, prominent movements such as Black Lives Matter continue fighting to expose and resist injustice. In this social landscape, Bryan Stevenson’s message is timely: The US justice system consistently denies justice to society’s most vulnerable members.

In his 2014 book, Just Mercy, Stevenson examines the justice system’s pervasive failures toward marginalized populations, especially Black Americans. To illustrate these failures, Stevenson discusses numerous criminal cases, most prominently the 1989 case of Walter McMillian, a Black man wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death in Alabama.

In this guide, we’ll discuss Stevenson’s analysis of the McMillian case and his evidence of extreme punishments doled out more broadly by the justice system. Moreover, we’ll consider Stevenson’s diagnosis of the root problems with the American conception of justice and his suggestions for repairing it. We’ll also examine arguments from other sources about how to improve the justice system and provide further context for the cases that Stevenson cites.

Immerse yourself in the gripping world of Bailey Sarian's 'Murder, Mystery & Makeup' podcast. This unique blend of chilling crime narrative and light-hearted beauty routine make for a complex, riveting listening experience. In this episode, Sarian presents the baffling mystery surrounding a woman named Stacey Ruth Daniels, linking the ordinary and the extraordinary, the homely and the horrific, in a tale filled with unexpected twists and turns. On the one hand, the audience is held captive by the grave mystery of Stacey's two deceased spouses; on the other, Sarian invites listeners into her personal space with playful segments about her life and hobbies.

Balancing the severity of the crime tale with a lighter touch, Sarian excels at drawing listeners into her world. This episode goes beyond just recounting the gruesome facts of the case, providing a comprehensive exploration of the narrative that includes an investigation into Stacey's ordinary suburban upbringing and her transformation into a suspected murderer. In addition, Sarian dives into the psychological aftermath of the crimes on Stacey's daughters, underscoring the far-reaching impact of such heinous acts. Keeping listeners engaged until the very end, the episode concludes with a dive into the cultural relevance of Stacey's disturbing acts on popular culture. Tune in to Sarian's 'Murder, Mystery & Makeup' podcast to take part in this compelling journey through the darker aspects of human nature.

Dive into the murky depths of the Gilgo Beach murder case with Robert Kolker, guided by the compelling narration of Robert Petkoff in "The Daily". Together, they shed light on a startling narrative that began with a chilling find in Long Island, transforming into a tale of over a decade of mysteries and dead ends. As an esteemed journalist, Kolker offers a riveting examination of a case that seemed poised for a quick solve but soon expanded into a complex web of up to 11 potential victims and a botched hunt that rattled New York City.

The case's progress was marred by barriers ranging from societal biases to law enforcement mishaps. Kolker's "Lost Girls" played a pivotal role in changing perceptions and reigniting interest in the cold case, drawing attention to the victims' humanity against a backdrop of official negligence. As the podcast unravels, we learn about the entrenchment of corruption within Suffolk County's police force, the missed technological opportunities, and the transformation toward modern strategies such as genetic genealogy, that rekindled hopes for justice. "The Daily" invites its audience to scrutinize law enforcement's actions, highlighting the wider implications for Suffolk County's judiciary through the lens of this disconcerting case and the arresting of Rex Heuermann, a suspect whose connection to the murders unlocked through DNA evidence signifies a potential turn towards resolution.

In Black Box Thinking, Matthew Syed argues that learning from failure drives human progress, from innovation in science and business to individual and organizational growth. Yet other areas of society—including the political, judicial, and health care systems—have yet to benefit from this process of rational learning.

As long as these institutions stigmatize failure, they create a culture of misguided exceptionalism that prevents them from improving. And if we neglect to improve our stagnating institutions, they’ll continue to take the lives of innocents—whether it’s death due to preventable medical error or wrongful conviction that leads to life in prison.

Syed explains how an organization’s culture and systems either promote or prevent learning, and he lays out several steps for learning from failure in our complex world. Any organization can change its culture and systems by embracing failure as a powerful source of learning. We’ve rounded out Syed’s ideas with advice from Tribal Leadership and The Fifth Discipline, which discuss the cultures and systems of effective businesses.

If you’ve ever pushed a “pull” door or accidentally flipped the wrong light switch, you’ve experienced the impact of bad design. You may have blamed these mistakes on yourself, but in reality, the way we interact with the physical world is often driven by design. From smartphones to stovetops, faucets to fighter jets: Every object we encounter on a daily basis is designed. Good design streamlines our lives and makes everyday tasks easier. Bad design, on the other hand, causes frustration, errors, and even dangerous accidents.

In order to tell the difference, we need to understand how we perceive the objects all around us, and how our brains make sense of that information. Combining the principles of cognitive psychology and engineering makes all of us smarter consumers and helps designers create products that work with users, rather than against them.