The Power of LDIS
By Rockne Harmon, JD
Local DNA Index System, when used to its full effect, gives local law enforcement and forensic science a valuable means to exploit the intended potential of CODIS
Next Generation Sequencing for Forensics
By Chris Asplen
You can’t look at the advent of next generation DNA sequencing, the speed at which the technology is advancing, and the rate at which the cost is dropping and—with any intellectual honesty—suggest that the forensic use of DNA is going to continue with blinders to anything phenotypic.
Why Do A Study When I Could Just Tell You?
By David McClure, MA, Kelly A. Walsh, Ph.D.
The value of social science–forensic science partnerships
The Future of Forensics Has Arrived: The Application of Next Generation Sequencing
By Walther Parson, Ph.D., Sharon Wootton, Ph.D., Lisa Lane Schade, MHR
The progression from Sanger-type sequencing (STS) to next generation sequencing (NGS) will further advance the regenerative sciences, personalized medicine, and forensics.
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.
In their DNA: Finding El Salvador’s Missing Children
By Laura Barten
Today, reuniting surviving family members with their loved ones is supported not only by a number of human rights agencies and non-governmental organizations, but also by a small-but-growing group of committed genetic and forensic scientists.
Challenges in DNA Testing and Forensic Analysis of Hair Samples
By Caroline Hughes
Forensic analysis of DNA from hair samples is commonly used for identification, however, it is in many ways the most overestimated and misrepresented DNA sample.
Innocence Projects Abroad
By Chris Asplen
Efforts focusing on the protection and exoneration of the innocent through DNA technology in two countries may help bring about safer and more just societies.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of DNA Analysis on Property Crimes and Identifying a New Model for Outsourcing
By Dr. Cecelia Crouse, Julie Sikorsky, Amy Jeanguenat , Teresa Vreeland , Amelia Looper
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Biology Unit (PBSO FBU) has taken a proactive approach to DNA testing the voluminous amount of property crime evidence submitted by Palm Beach County law enforcement agencies.
Forensic Phylogenetic Analysis: Under the Microscope
By Douglas Page
Phylogenetic analysis—sometimes given the misnomer “HIV fingerprinting”—has been used repeatedly in world courts to try cases of deliberate HIV transmission.
Maximizing the Power of Forensic DNA Databases with Next Generation STR Technology
By Tim Schellberg, Nicola Oldroyd, Lisa Lane Schade, MHR
Global DNA databasing trends are driving the need for cross-border data exchange, international loci-standardization, and efficient new technologies positioned to take DNA databases to a whole new level.
On July 30th of this year, the constitutional question of arrestee DNA testing came a lot closer to getting resolved. It appears that King may well be the case upon which the Court determines whether law enforcement can take a biological sample from an individual arrested for, but not yet convicted of a crime.
Every now and then it seems that there are markers in the historical timeline of our continuing efforts to drive the utilization of DNA technology toward its ultimate capacity to solve and ultimately prevent crime.
Forensic Phenotyping: the 21st Century Composite Sketch
By Timothy D. Kupferschmid
New methods are emerging which allow investigators to analyze crime scene DNA in order to accurately describe key physical traits of the source of the genetic material.
Easy Reporting of Hard DNA: Computer Comfort in the Courtroom
By Mark W. Perlin, Ph.D., MD, Ph.D.
How can an analyst translate uncertain DNA data into understandable testimony for a non-expert jury?
Touch DNA Analysis: Using The Literature To Help Answer Some Common Questions
By Suzanna R. Ryan
This article is intended to update the reader on the latest touch and transfer DNA research and attempts to answer some of the most common questions that are asked regarding the topic.
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.
The Power of Information
By Dr. Tom S. Witt, Dr. Paul J. Speaker
Banishing backlogs and budget cuts with “Foresight”
Forensic Science In The Information Age
By Mark W. Perlin, Ph.D., MD, Ph.D.
Reliable computer interpretation can address the scientific need for thorough, objective, and informative analysis of DNA evidence.
Fighting Back Against the Worst of Nature and Human Nature
By Chris Asplen
DNA-Prokids provides an example that we possess the technology, the resources, and most importantly, the will to fight back hard against the some of the worst nature and human nature has to offer.
Illegal Immigration
By Chris Asplen
Seven years ago, the decision was made to include in a DNA database those individuals identified as being in the United States illegally. A brilliant idea for several reasons.
Rapid DNA Analysis is Coming—Rapidly
By Chris Asplen
R-DNA testing, when fully implemented and integrated into CODIS, will be the most transformational event in the use of forensic DNA since the advent of PCR.
Observation of a Validation
By Sara E. Hochendoner
The Full-Scale Implementation of Automation in a Small Casework Laboratory
Ushering in a New Generation of DNA Analysts
By Arthur Eisenberg, Ph.D., Lisa Lane Schade, MHR, Jaiprkash Shewale, Meredith Turnbough
Establishing the Life Technologies Center for Forensic Excellence
Ted Bundy vs. Arrestee DNA Databasing
By Chris Asplen
It’s more than a little ironic that the week before the DNA of Ted Bundy, one of America’s most notorious serial killers, is entered into a DNA database, the First Appellate Court in California has ruled its arrestee database to be unconstitutional.
