Author Profile

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
University Center to Address Global Challenges in Crime, Justice
April 06, 2022
The CCJS brings together an interdisciplinary community of experts in forensic science, policing, law, sociology, criminology, data science and computing to conduct nationally and internationally leading research, consultancy, innovation, enterprise and knowledge exchange. read more
Spike in 2016 Chicago Youth Homicides Linked to Pause in State Funding
April 06, 2022
Several competing theories attempt to explain the rapid spike and decline in youth homicides, such as the 2015 consent agreement with the Chicago Police Department to reform “stop and frisk.” read more
83 Bipartisan Representatives Ask for Clemency in Lucio Case
April 04, 2022
“She was convicted based on discredited forensics and the testimony of a medical examiner who didn’t follow protocol and put another innocent person in prison just two months after.” read more
Illinois Forensic Science Commission Marks First Meeting, Reviews 72 Percent Backlog Reduction
April 04, 2022
Director Brendan Kelly kicked off the first meeting of the Forensic Science Commission charged with ensuring the efficient delivery of forensic science to help ensure swift justice for victims, as well as to exonerate the wrongly accused. read more
Ballistics Testing Initiative Gives Law Enforcement More Tech
April 04, 2022
The joint initiative will provide more opportunities for law enforcement to submit firearm evidence for scientific analysis, while simultaneously decreasing turnaround time on testing results. read more
States Look for Solutions as Fentanyl Deaths Keep Rising
April 04, 2022
In statehouses across the country, lawmakers have been considering and adopting laws on two fronts: reducing the risk to users and increasing the penalties for dealing fentanyl or mixing it with other drugs. read more
Origins of the Avars Elucidated with Ancient DNA
April 04, 2022
The Avars did not leave written records about their history and these first genome-wide data provide robust clues about their origins. read more
Applying Modern Investigation Methods to Cold Cases
April 01, 2022
Law enforcement agencies faced with investigating long-unsolved cases must address both practical and philosophical considerations before doing so. read more
Jailing Adults Convicted of Sex Crimes Against Children Tops $5 Billion a Year
April 01, 2022
“We spend billions of dollars on criminal justice remedies after child sexual abuse has already occurred, and yet there are very limited resources for preventing this abuse from occurring in the first place.” read more
Law Enforcement Sees Growing Number of Pills Containing Fentanyl
April 01, 2022
Seizures of pills containing fentanyl increased 834% between 2018 to 2021, putting many at risk for unintentional exposure and overdose. read more
DDP Identifies Young Man Found Stabbed to Death in 1992
April 01, 2022
Authorities speculate the deceased died from stab wounds 1 to 3 years prior to being found. read more
Forensic Lab to Retest Up to 250 Blood Alcohol Samples
March 30, 2022
The laboratory has confirmed the instrumentation and reagents are working properly now, and are currently retesting samples to determine the scope of affected tests. read more
Skin Cells Leave their Mark for Crime Scene Investigators
March 30, 2022
Depositing skin cells and their DNA varies between individuals, but new data shows that some people have higher intra-variability in their cell deposits. read more