"There is no landscape that we know as well as the human face. Twenty-five odd square inches containing the features is the most intimately scrutinized piece of territory in existence, examined constantly, and carefully, with far more than an intellectual interest. Every detail of nose, eyes, and mouth, every regularity in proportion, every variation from one individual to the next, are matters about which we are all authorities." (read all)
A companion to John Barbara's Computer Forensics Standards and Controls
Appropriate standards and controls must always be specified in the analytical procedure and their use documented in the case notes. This is a necessary quality assurance practice which will ensure that forensic hardware, operating systems, and forensic software are working correctly. However, they must be used prior to imaging evidentiary digital media. Likewise, any forensic software tools that are updated from previous versions or newly installed forensic software must be performance verified and/or validated prior to their use in casework. (read all) Note: this is the companion article to John J. Barbara's article, Computer Forensics Standards and Controls
According to the much anticipated crime laboratory study report released by the National Academy of Science (NAS) on February 18, 2009, a “badly fragmented” forensic science system needs an overhaul. (read all)
Every now and then, although much less recently, a reporter asks me the inane question, “Is DNA a silver bullet?”While the obvious answer is “no,” the follow-up is always, “DNA will never replace a thoughtful, creative detective with the proper resources. (read all)
Biometrics technology has matured, offering some exciting new forensic products — and promising revolutionary innovations in the near future. (read all)