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.
A Pre-mortem Meeting with the Coroner
By Daniel Schmeeckle
I recently sat down with Portage County Coroner, Scott Rifleman, to explore the many responsibilities of the Coroner.
The Medicolegal Autopsy Facility: Specialized Design for Specialized Needs
By Jeff Arnold, Adam Denmark
Medicolegal autopsy facilities represent a particularly challenging set of criteria for project design teams. The facilities generally require core spaces developed for subsections of analysis and must support a specimen processing flow.
Case Study: Theft and Murder Unraveled by Forensic Investigation
By Mukesh Sharma, B. S. Khajja, D. R. Godara, Girish K. Mathur
A recent murder case in Rajasthan, India, involving a young married woman was unraveled by the crime scene team. The evidence and laboratory examination provided proof that the victim’s in-laws were trying to mislead the Investigating Officer by fabricating a story of burglary and murder.
Mycology: Missing Weapon In Forensic Arsenals?
By Douglas Page
If anyone bothered to look, crime-solving clues can often be found in fungi.
From Concept to Construction: Ontario's Forensic Services and Coroner's Complex
By Jeff Arnold
Ontario’s new, state-of-the-art forensic facility will allow for continuing education, future programmatic growth, and for the recruitment and retention of highly specialized staff, contributing to the advancement and evolution of forensic science and medicine.
Necro-Radiology: Postmortem CT Scans Are On The Rise
By Douglas Page
The efficacy of forensic postmortem computed tomography is no longer in dispute. What is still in question is whether radiologists proficient at interpreting clinical imaging of the living can be expected to be equally adept at rendering precise postmortem forensic findings without special training.
The Virtual Autopsy: The Doctor Will Scan You Now
By Douglas Page
Advanced imaging tools such as MDCT are being used more and more in forensic medicine, sometimes beyond morgue walls.
Pickled Think!
By Vince McLeod, CIH, Glenn Ketcham, CIH
In this column, we will take a closer look at the hazards of formaldehyde and how to safely use this common preservative.
The Ostrich and Overachiever: How to Plan For A Mass Casualty
By Ken Mohr, Susan Halla
Unfortunately, mass casualties are a reality. How would your facility handle a mass casualty? Quite often, a Medical Examiner (ME) facility does not have a sufficient plan or facility in place to adequately deal with a mass casualty.
Forensic Psychiatry: Policing the Intersection of Mental Health and the Law
By Douglas Page
One realm of forensics has nothing to do with crime scene evidence, but its intangible contributions are no less important to the flow of criminal and civil justice. Forensic psychiatry deals with matters of mental health. Its own health is robust.
Forensic Disaster Response: The Crash of Comair 5191
By Douglas Page
Challenges, issues, and solutions of identification in mass disasters differ with the type and scope of the catastrophe.
A Look at Forensic Odontology
By Robert E. Barsley, DDS, JD
Some define forensic odontology as the intersection of the law and the science of dentistry. Others simply state that it happens when dentists assist law enforcement in solving crimes.
Visible Proofs: Forensic Medicine History on Display
By Douglas Page
New government exhibit portrays historic trajectory of forensic medicine.
Life in a Disaster Morgue
By Douglas Page
Mass disasters mean two things: multiple deaths and DMORT deployment.
After Katrina: Identifying the Dead with Biometric ID
By F. Key Kidder
Disaster victim identification is an emerging challenge for forensic practitioners, driven by the deadly upsurge in national catastrophes and the ongoing threat of terrorist strikes.
Dead Reckoning
By Douglas Page
Criminal foul play and medical malpractice often go undiscovered unless post-exhumation autopsy is performed. Declining autopsy rates is the likely culprit.
