Author Profile

DNA Reanalysis Leads to Suspect Match in 1996 Murder
December 20, 2021
A DNA match has helped cold case investigators solve the killing of a San Francisco Bay Area waitress whose body was found in a restaurant’s basement bathroom 25 years ago. read more
Alaska Clears Sexual Assault Kit Backlog
December 20, 2021
Of the 2,493 previously unsubmitted, untested sexual assault examination kits received from local law enforcement agencies under the capital project, 2,442 (98 percent) have been tested. read more
New Tech Points to Suspect in 1978 Killing, May Be Tied to More Unsolved Homicides
December 20, 2021
A man was arrested in Colorado on suspicion of killing a teenage girl in San Francisco more than four decades ago and detectives say he may be a suspect in other unsolved homicides. read more
California Cannabis Companies Warn of Impending Industry Collapse
December 20, 2021
Leading California cannabis companies warned Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday that the state’s legal industry was on the verge of collapse and needed immediate tax cuts and a rapid expansion of retail outlets to steady the shaky marketplace. read more
Improving the Collection of Digital Evidence
December 17, 2021
Two projects introduce new methods and tools for collecting and processing digital evidence in cases involving child sexual abuse materials and large-scale computer networks. read more
Winnebago County John Doe ID'ed After 6 Years
December 17, 2021
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office (WI) teamed with Othram to use advanced DNA testing to attempt to generate new investigative leads that might point to the unknown man's identity. read more
Judge Rejects Purdue Pharma’s Sweeping Opioid Settlement
December 17, 2021
A federal judge rejected OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy settlement of thousands of lawsuits over the opioid epidemic Thursday because of a provision that would protect members of the Sackler family from facing litigation of their own. read more
Genealogy ID's Rohnert Park John Doe from 2015
December 17, 2021
The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office received confirmation that a John Doe death reported on Jan. 2, 2015, has been positively identified using genetic genealogy and the assistance of the DNA Doe Project. read more
New Way to Find Genetic Variations Removes Bias from Human Genotyping
December 17, 2021
Since the first sequencing of the human genome more than 20 years ago, the study of human genomes has relied almost exclusively on a single reference genome to which others are compared to identify genetic variations. read more
Remains Found in 1982 are Those of Former O’Jays Guitarist
December 15, 2021
With the help of DNA Doe Project, unidentified remains discovered on Feb. 18, 1982, have now been identified as Frank “Frankie” Little, Jr., a guitarist who once played with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame R&B group the O’Jays. read more
Q&A: Ancient DNA Researchers Set Guidelines
December 15, 2021
From the first full ancient genome published in 2010 to the more than 4,000 analyzed today, the DNA collected from ancient human remains has advanced researchers’ understanding of the origins and history of human populations around the world. read more
N.C. Investigators, Othram ID Body Found in 1995
December 15, 2021
The skeleton was covered with a thin layer of soil and leaves. It was clothed in a pair of brown pants and a dark coat. read more
New Synthetic Opioid ID'ed During Forensic Death Investigations in U.S., Canada
December 15, 2021
Etodesnitazene is a new synthetic opioid bearing structural resemblance to etonitazene, a synthetic opioid that is nationally and internationally controlled. read more
FIU Awarded $2M to Create Digital Forensics Center of Excellence with HBCUs
December 15, 2021
The Forensic Investigations Network in Digital Sciences (FINDS) Center of Excellence (COE) will provide a vital research hub and workforce pathway for digital forensics professionals entering the Department of Defense and other governmental departments and agencies. read more
NPS Alerts: New Synthetic Opioid and ‘Unusual’ Overdose Symptoms
December 13, 2021
The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) has issued two public alerts this month regarding next-generation opioids. read more
Australian Federal Police First in Country to Use Next-generation Sequencing
December 13, 2021
The AFP has been carefully testing and assessing MPS to ensure its accuracy, prior to any use in forensic investigations. This validation for use in forensic analysis is an Australian first for law enforcement. read more
Maryland Forensic Labs Receive $2M to Reduce DNA Backlogs
December 13, 2021
The funding comes from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) at the Department of Justice through the BJA DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction program and is directed to multiple police. read more
Illinois Police, Parabon, ID Body Found in 1975
December 13, 2021
On Dec. 23, 1975, the Davie Police Department discovered the body of an unidentified white female floating in a canal. read more
Smartwatch Sensor May Help Prevent Opioid Relapse, Overdose
December 13, 2021
A research team has received a $1.1 million grant to further develop a smartwatch sensor designed to support the long-term recovery of people with opioid use disorder (OUD). read more
Digital Forensics: Training Best Practices for Officers, Investigators
December 10, 2021
In a world where just about every suspect and witness has a digital device, cutting digital training eliminates an investment in people – and therefore, a force’s future. read more