Investigating Beyond the Fender Bender
By Dick Warrington
When responding to multiple car accidents, hit and runs, fatalities, and high speed chases, officers can benefit by calling in Crime Scene Officers to assist with the investigation.
Touch DNA: From the Crime Scene to the Crime Laboratory
By Joe Minor
While touch DNA has become a much requested and successful test for DNA laboratories to perform, we must remember its limitations and be aware of the factors which may affect the results.
Properly Packaging Evidence
By Dick Warrington
Preserving and maintaining evidence collected at a scene is crucial. The key is understanding evidence and understanding the proper way to package it.
Product Insight: Mobile Forensics Fights to Stay Ahead
By Tim Studt
Law enforcement groups are staying ahead of criminals’ ability to conceal information with the use of new data extraction tools.
Forensic Gunshot Acoustic Analysis is Heating Up. Don't Get Burned
By Douglas Page
Gunshot acoustics hold plenty of investigative promise, but analysis can be difficult even for experts.
The Science Behind GSR: Separating Fact from Fiction
By Allison C. Murtha, Linxian Wu, Ph.D.
Here is a behind the scenes look at the science surrounding GSR investigations and the facts that make them dynamic.
Arson: Crime Scene Processing Basics
By Dick Warrington
Some of the most challenging scenes to process involve suspected arson. Such scenes call for the special expertise of an arson investigator.
Impression Evidence: Building Your Case with Duplicate Evidence
By Dick Warrington
Collecting impression evidence is definitely worth the effort—once you do so, you have duplicate evidence that can help make your case.
Setting the Standard: Maintaining Professionalism
By Dick Warrington
In this column, we’ll look at some ways to set a high level of professionalism even when you’re watching the bottom line.
Taking Control: Less Taxpayer Funding, But More DNA Testing
By Chris Asplen, Detective Sergeant William McVey
Through a local DNA database, Bensalem, Pennsylvania, has begun to leverage DNA in every possible case and has created a truly investigative tool.
Taking the Crime Scene to the Scientists
By Steve Renteria, Ron Becker, Cortney Boccardi
Forensic scientists need a dose of yearly education in order to stay informed on modern forensic science. Ideally, hands-on experience along with well-designed lectures would comprise the total learning experience.
CSI Cell Phone
By Douglas Page
Mobile device forensics forecast: continued oscillation, chance of cloud computing.
Scanning For Answers
By Greg Richards
Laser scanning technology helps investigators piece together a champion boxer’s death.
Clandestine Graves: Geophysical Methods Used In Their Discovery and Subsequent Exposure
By James S. Mellett, Ph.D., CPG
Geophysics involves the use of a variety of electromagnetic techniques that can be used to outline, discover, and plan an exhumation.
The Truth About Deception
By Douglas Page
Forensic scientists, police detectives, and other authorities concerned with finding the truth have access to many behavioral identification techniques. The trouble is, these techniques aren’t used nearly enough.
On the Scene: Improvised Tools of the Trade
By Dick Warrington
Sometimes the techniques taught in classes and workshops, or the tools or equipment we have at our disposal simply won’t work given the specifics of the crime scene in front of us. When you find yourself in such a situation, you need to think outside the box.
Understanding The World of Cellular Telephones: Part 3
By John J. Barbara
Cell phones can and do store data or information that the user may not be aware of. It should come as no surprise that this can provide a tremendous amount of potential probative information (evidence) to investigators.
Mycology: Missing Weapon In Forensic Arsenals?
By Douglas Page
If anyone bothered to look, crime-solving clues can often be found in fungi.
Recently scientists have developed a new technique for processing DNA called “touch DNA.” With this technique, scientists can test for DNA without a sample from blood or bodily fluids.
Crime Scene Bugs
By Dick Warrington
By studying the types of bugs present at the scene and their stage of development, forensic entomologists can estimate the time of death, and in many cases, determine if the body was moved or disturbed and whether the deceased person had ingested drugs.
Property Crime Sample Processing: Law Enforcement Experiences and Crime Laboratory Efficiencies
By Lisa Calandro, Lynne Burley, Detective Joseph Blozis, Lisa Lane Schade, MHR
Careful attention to sample collection and improved extraction methods coupled with implementation of enhanced amplification systems will greatly benefit laboratories seeking to harness the power of DNA evidence for property crime samples.
Triage A Computer
By John J. Barbara
Triaging a computer allows investigators to gather volatile data that would be lost by pulling the plug on a live system.
LABRADOR: New Alpha Dog in Human Remains Detection?
By Douglas Page
The newest advance in clandestine grave detection may come from a handheld device, not from the next generation of human remains detection dogs.
DNA-PROKIDS
By Arthur Eisenberg, Ph.D., Lisa Lane Schade, MHR
Using DNA Technology to Help Fight the Trafficking of Children
Before You Pull the Plug
By John J. Barbara
Collecting a computer into evidence requires careful consideration.
