Scientific and Technical Working Groups: An Overview
By Susan Ballou
This is the first in a series of articles about the more than 30 Scientific Working Groups (SWGs) and TechnologyWorking Groups (TWGs) active within the criminal justice system.
The European Court of Human Rights Decision: What It Did and Did Not Say
By Chris Asplen
For the last several years, the European Court of Human Rights has been considering the cases of 'S' and Marper v. the United Kingdom. On December 4, 2008, the Court issued its “Grand Chamber Judgment” considering the issue of the “retention of fingerprints, cellular samples, and DNA profiles after criminal proceedings were terminated by an acquittal."
Deadly Delicious—Mushroom Poisoning
By Oliver Grundmann, Ph.D., Ian Tebbett, Ph.D.
There has been an increase over the last few decades in foraging for wild mushrooms as ingredients for gourmet meals. This practice has however not surprisingly come with a high price, an increase in mushroom poisoning (mycetism) cases.
Small Scale Automation in the Forensic DNA Laboratory
By Melissa Schwandt, Anthony J. Tambasco, Cristopher Cowan
The availability of small automated instruments has made automation more affordable, easier to use, simpler to implement, and has also uncovered a host of additional benefits.
Forensic Art: Age Progression
By Barbara A. Martin Bailey
Surely, as we get older, we will all get the "lines on our face" we call wrinkles, but to a forensic artist who is working on an age progression or a facial reconstruction, the signs of ageing go much deeper than a crack or crease or fold in the skin.
Methamphetamine: Getting to its Roots
By Guifeng Jiang
A look at how the separation and identification of pseudoephedrine from illegal drug mixtures can help to identify the sources and the manufacturing pathway of methamphetamine seized in the illicit market.
3D Scanning: A New Tool for Cracking Tough Cases
By Peter DeLaurentis
What do U.S. federal investigators and anthropologists at the Smithsonian Institute have in common? They are both pioneering the use of 3D scanning technology to solve challenging mysteries.
Crime Scene Safety
By Dick Warrington
When a call comes in, a crime scene officer must be ready to respond, no matter the situation. Depending on the situation, you'll need to protect your head, eyes, lungs, hands, feet, and occasionally your entire body.
Planning Chemical Management for the Forensic Laboratory
By Vince McLeod, CIH, Glenn Ketcham, CIH
This column will provide fundamental information on managing chemicals in forensic facilities and offer initial suggestions and guidance for proper chemical handling.
Forensic Facilities: Strategies for Coping with an Uncertain Economy
By Ken Mohr, Susan Halla
With the current economic downturn that will continue for the foreseeable future, how can forensic facilities continue to make necessary changes and find strategies for not only thriving but even growing or improving?
Anti-Digital Forensics, The Next Challenge: Part 2
By John J. Barbara
This issue, we take a look at the general categories of anti-digital forensics.
