Author Profile

Study Details Lessons for Large-Scale Prisoner Releases during COVID-19
September 06, 2021
A large-scale prisoner release in NJ “stress tested” the services system—social and health programs to help prisoners successfully transition from prison to community life—for their reentry into society and illuminated gaps between service provision and needs of former inmates. read more
How Rape Affects Memory, and Why Police Need to Know About That Brain Science
September 03, 2021
Scientists who study trauma and memory say it’s common for sexual assault survivors—as well as survivors of other serious traumas—to be unable to recall an attack fully. read more
Virginia Department of Forensic Science Achieves 15,000 DNA Data Bank Hit
September 03, 2021
The Department of Forensic Science reached its 15,000th DNA Data Bank “hit.” This is a significant milestone in the history of the Data Bank, which was created in Virginia in 1989. read more
Genetic Genealogy Helps ID Man Found in Wilderness
September 03, 2021
After returning investigative leads back to law enforcement, the Montana State Crime Lab conducted DNA testing of close family to confirm that Granite County John Doe's identity was in fact David Jon Milek. read more
Student Perspective: Developing a Raman-based Pre-screening Tool for DNA
September 03, 2021
There is no known research that has attempted to use Raman spectroscopy as a pre-screening tool for assessing DNA quantity and quality for forensic casework applications. read more
Research on Uranium Cubes from Nazi Germany Could Inform Future Forensic Investigations
September 03, 2021
Robertson has modified some existing forensic-based analytical techniques, and turned to radiochronometry, or the measurement of radioactive materials and their decay products to determine the ''age'' of the material. read more
PCR Method Enables Better Analysis of Degraded, Challenging DNA Samples
September 01, 2021
In a new proof-of-concept study, researchers have validated a reverse complement PCR (RC-PCR) short amplicon 85 SNP-plex panel that can be used to improve library preparation for DNA analysis of difficult samples. read more
DNA Helps ID Homicide Victim After 40 Years
September 01, 2021
On Feb. 3, 1981, skeletal remains of a man wrapped in an electric blanket were discovered at a remote site. No identification was found with the remains, which investigators believed had been out in the elements for months. read more
DNA Exonerates Ron Jacobsen After 30 Years of Wrongful Conviction
September 01, 2021
Jacobsen had been awaiting a retrial at home in New York since November, despite DNA evidence proving his innocence. read more
Chemical Fingerprinting Method Could Track Ingredients in Illicit Drugs
September 01, 2021
Researchers are developing methods to create a chemical profile that will help determine if a medication is authentic or not—and possibly even trace where the ingredients in illicit drugs come from. read more
Researchers Develop Hardware-based Cybersecurity Education Program
September 01, 2021
Many commonly reported cyberattacks focus on computer software vulnerabilities. But what about computer hardware? read more
Team IDs Novel Urinary Biomarkers for Synthetic Cannabinoid
August 30, 2021
Two years after it was first detected in Europe in January 2019, researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have identified three biomarkers for APP-BUTINACA (also called APP-BINACA), an emerging synthetic cannabinoid. read more
Snohomish County, Othram to ID Man Discovered Last Year in Shallow Grave
August 30, 2021
The unidentified man stood between 5'3" and 5'9" and was likely between the ages of 20-40. Investigators suspect that he was possibly Native American, Asian, Hispanic or mixed race. read more
State Forensic Lab Says New Methodology Reduces Sample Needs by 97%
August 30, 2021
Building on funds invested in the Department from the California Legislature, the new process— based on validated methodology— uses state-of-the-art equipment to combine five drug analytical methods into one and dramatically reduces sample needs by as much as 97%. read more
Next-generation Sequencing Approved to Identify 9/11 Remains
August 30, 2021
Thousands of human remains from Sept. 11 have yet to be identified because they’re too damaged and degraded to be analyzed by conventional methods. read more
New Branch of Cyber Forensics to Advance National Security
August 30, 2021
Researchers are working to develop a new branch of cyber forensics called AI Psychiatry that seeks to keep data more secure in a constantly evolving technological landscape. read more
Study Shows Use of Prescription Opioid Spiked 72% in Early Pandemic
August 27, 2021
A team of researchers from Kentucky is shedding light on increased drug consumption in the early days of the pandemic through wastewater epidemiology analysis. read more
NIST Expert Team to Investigate the Surfside Condo Collapse
August 27, 2021
The Champlain Towers South investigation will be the fifth investigation NIST has conducted using authorities granted by the 2002 National Construction Safety Team (NCST) Act. read more
DNA Match Leads to Arrest of Suspect in 1981 Murder of Single Mom
August 27, 2021
Police discovered there were several pieces of evidence in the case file that could likely be tested using modern DNA technology. read more
Michigan Inmate Charged in Florida Teen’s 1985 Death
August 27, 2021
DNA evidence helped investigators match the 1985 kidnapping, sexual assault and death of a 17-year-old Florida girl to a man already serving two life sentences in Michigan on sexual assault charges. read more