Author Profile

Poverty, Crime Linked to Differences in Newborns’ Brains
April 15, 2022
A new study shows pregnant mothers from neighborhoods with high crime rates gave birth to infants whose brains functioned differently during their first weeks of life than babies born to mothers living in safer neighborhoods. read more
Media Heeding Call to Limit Naming Perpetrators in Mass Shootings
April 15, 2022
For the past 10 years, the news media has followed suit by reducing the number of times the name of a mass shooter is reported. read more
Study Confirms Success of Geoelectrical Methods in Search for Hidden Graves
April 13, 2022
Doro and his team worked to validate a method based on electrical resistivity, a measure of how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current, in combination with ground-penetrating radar. read more
How Portable Mass Spec Technology Can Reduce Forensic Lab Backlogs
April 13, 2022
This partnership between advanced technology in the field and the certifying laboratory enables the judicial system to act quickly to deliver charges, a critical measure in decreasing unlawful activity in the community and bringing criminals to justice. read more
After 40 Years, Will County Jane Doe is Identified
April 13, 2022
The young woman's case was entered into NamUs as UP3153 and standard analysis of STR markers and dental records was performed. Unfortunately these methods did not yield an identity. read more
Multiple Partners Collaborate to Form Institute for Global Explosive Mitigation
April 13, 2022
Several United States-based non-governmental organizations working to dismantle and neutralize these explosive remnants of war—as well as university organizations—have partnered with Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences’ School of Forensic Sciences to form the Institute for Global Explosive Mitigation. read more
Found Guilty Despite Chain of Custody Concerns, Man's Conviction Now Vacated Due to Trial Antisemitism
April 13, 2022
Renowned fire science expert John Lentini, a leading expert in the field of arson investigation, provided an affidavit that the chain of custody procedures used by the state police officers in the case rendered the key evidence of arson unreliable. read more
Nasal Naloxone Not as Effective as Injected, But Key to Friend Overdose Rescue
April 11, 2022
The researchers’ study of 201 patients is the world's first trial of a commercially available and medically approved nasal naloxone spray in real cases of heroin overdose. read more
Team IDs 'Mr. Bones' after 33 Years
April 11, 2022
Skeletal remains recovered in 1984 near the Powell Ranger Station in Idaho have been confirmed as Roger Brian Bennett, who went missing shortly after his discharge from the U.S. Air Force in 1982. read more
Study Examines Impact of DNA Evidence in Sexual Assault Prosecutions
April 11, 2022
When DNA evidence is available that matches the suspects in sexual assault cases, prosecutors are more likely to litigate and the odds of conviction are more than nine times greater than cases without biological evidence. read more
Bode Technology to Invest $2 M to Expand Forensics Operations
April 11, 2022
The company will hire additional senior and entry-level laboratory technicians, information technology and engineering professionals and other business support roles, creating more than 70 new job read more
Q&A: ASPCA Experts Shine Light on Forensic Role in Dogfighting Rescues
April 11, 2022
Dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, yet this barbaric and violent form of animal cruelty persists. read more
Drones as Investigative Tools: How an Alabama PD Started an Exemplary Program
April 08, 2022
Drones have become increasingly popular tools for law enforcement departments across the country. Huntsville, Alabama is one such place, with a very successful drone program that was implemented with careful planning and support from city leaders. read more
Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office, Parabon ID Skeletal Remains from 2009 Cold Case
April 08, 2022
Law enforcement recovered the almost-complete skeleton of a male individual, a large suitcase full of clothing, and a small backpack with toiletries. No identification for the deceased was found within these items. read more
Forensic Experts to Travel to Ukraine to ID the War’s Dead
April 08, 2022
An international organization formed to identify the dead and missing from the 1990s Balkan conflicts is preparing to send a team of forensics experts to Ukraine as the death toll mounts more than six weeks into the war caused by Russia’s invasion. read more
DNA Match helps Police Solve 1980 Murder on Long Island
April 08, 2022
A DNA match helped police solve the murder of a 20-year-old woman who was killed in 1980, authorities in New York announced last week. read more
The Invisible Hand of Steve Twist
April 08, 2022
How an Arizona man who’s never held elected office has shaped one of America’s most punitive criminal justice systems. read more
Genealogy Helps ID Once-escaped Convict as I-65 Killer
April 06, 2022
Through the use of genetic genealogy, well-preserved evidence, and the unending cooperation of the sole surviving victim, the Indiana State Police (ISP) have now linked an Iowa man to the murder of three motel clerks and the sexual assault of a fourth in Indiana and Kentucky from 1987 through 1990. read more
Unknown DNA on Weapon Could Reopen Tennessee Death Row Inmate's Case
April 06, 2022
Newly available touch DNA technology allowed the previously impossible analysis of evidence left on an awl—a leatherworking tool similar to an icepick—that was found at the crime scene. read more
Man Sentenced for 1980s Rapes after Genealogy, DNA from Utility Bill Ties Him to Crimes
April 06, 2022
A man linked to a series of sexual assaults in central Indiana more than 30 years ago by his DNA on an envelope for a utility bill payment was sentenced last week to 650 years in prison. read more