In the Casey Anthony trial Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., has ruled that the use of gas chromatography—mass spectrometry to analyze the foul odors in the trunk of Casey Anthony’s car is established science and can be admitted into evidence.

And he is right. Right about that, but not about Dr. Arpad Vass’s use of these techniques to draw conclusions about how advanced the decomposition of a human body is based on the mix of gases found in an air sample. His technique relies on a database he collected himself through the use of gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. There are no other scientists attempting to develop a database of the gases emitted by decomposing human flesh, so there is no independent verification of his conclusions.

And multiple independent research studies must be conducted to confirm any scientific theory. That’s what the scientific method is all about.

This is exactly the sort of “science” the Supreme Court ruled inadmissible in the Daubert decision. Vass’s technique and theory are not widely accepted in the scientific community. The doctor himself may be well respected, but that isn’t the same as saying his research is established science. A single database is incapable of being “generally accepted,” by definition.

This trial is my candidate for the worst use of forensics in history. The prosecution is trying to dazzle the jury with “science” instead of presenting solid evidence that Casey Anthony intentionally murdered her child. Even if Dr. Vass can “prove” the smell in her car trunk came from a rotting body, it still doesn’t prove she put the body there or that she killed her child.