CAREER of Oklahoma City Police Chemist Joyce Gilchrist

A review of some of the complaints lodged against Oklahoma City Police chemist Joyce Gilchrist who is under investigation by the FBI for allegedly misidentifying evidence and giving improper testimony.

• Jan. 5, 1987: Complaint lodged against Gilchrist to the Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists by a Kansas City, Mo., chemist accusing her of testimony beyond her scientific expertise.
  
• Nov. 23, 1988: Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals overturned murder conviction of Curtis Edward McCarty and ordered a new trial because Gilchrist gave ``personal opinions beyond the scope of scientific capabilities.''
  
• Aug. 27, 1999: U.S. District Judge Ralph Thompson overturned 1991 rape and sodomy convictions of Alfred Brian Mitchell but left his murder conviction intact. The judge said Gilchrist gave ``untrue'' testimony and failed to share DNA results with Mitchell's defense attorney that would have pointed to Mitchell's innocence on two of five charges.
  
• January 2001: Oklahoma Indigent Defense System asked for re-examination of the physical evidence in the rape case of Jeffrey Todd Pierce.
  
• February 2001: Police Chief M.T. Berry asked FBI to investigate after initial review of Pierce case. Gilchrist placed on administrative leave.
  
• April 25, 2001: An FBI report disclosed by The Daily Oklahoman accused Gilchrist of misidentifying hair or fibers or testifying ``beyond the acceptable limits of forensic science'' in at least six criminal cases.