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Texas Investigators Increase Reward for Info in 1992 Murder
December 04, 2020
Based on forensic examinations, the woman is believed to be white or Hispanic, between 20 and 35 years old and approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall. read more
Spotting Liars is Hard, but our New Method is Effective and Ethical
December 04, 2020
We have developed a new approach to spot liars based on interviewing technique and psychological manipulation, with results published in the Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition. read more
Pennsylvania County Experiences Cybersecurity Breach
December 04, 2020
On November 24, the County of Delaware, Pennsylvania discovered a disruption to portions of its computer network. They commenced an immediate investigation that included taking certain systems offline and working with computer forensic specialists to determine the nature and scope of the event. read more
Commission Calls for Overhaul of Law Regulating DNA Use by Police in New Zealand
December 02, 2020
Detailing significant “gaps” in current law, including lack of human rights values, the New Zealand Law Commission has released a 572-page report that recommends a completely new framework for police use of DNA in criminal investigations. read more
Florida Cold Case Team Uses DNA to Solve 1990 Murder
December 02, 2020
The Cold Case Team recently received confirmation that evidence submitted by the team produced viable DNA connecting Roland (Rollie) Thomas Davis to the murder. read more
Tennessee Police, Othram Team to ID 1978 Murder Victim
December 02, 2020
What was initially thought to be a pile of burning trash was in fact the remains of an unidentified male. The homicide victim was wrapped in a blanket and had been shot four times, twice in the face. read more
Chicago Hospital Piloting Forensic Mental Health Unit
December 02, 2020
Under the pilot program, Ingalls clinicians and staff will provide mental health treatment to these forensic patients, with the goal of improving their ability to understand the allegations against them and/or participate at their defense trial. read more
Hemp or Not: New Version of Portable Cannabis Analyzer for Law Enforcement
December 02, 2020
LightLab 3 Cannabis Analyzer, Law Enforcement Version, is specifically designed to support rapid presumptive and quantitative cannabis analysis by non-technical personnel in a non-laboratory setting. read more
Webinar Alert: Genetic Genealogy Pioneers to Host Webinar Friday
December 02, 2020
A webinar training event on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020 will cover cold case investigation and solving crime through new technology: forensic genetic genealogy and familial DNA searching. read more
Method to Estimate Body Mass of Human Remains Yields More Accurate Profile
November 30, 2020
Researchers will use high-resolution computed tomography scanning to examine joint size, trabecular bone structure, bone shaft cross-sectional properties and whole bone shape to see if there are any visible differences that can be attributed to obesity and its effect on weight-bearing bones of the skeleton. read more
Researchers Use eDNA to Combat Terrorism
November 30, 2020
Forensic science experts are refining an innovative counter-terrorism technique that checks for environmental DNA in the dust on clothing, baggage, shoes or even a passport. read more
UK Doctor Can’t Exclude Sex Assault of Dead Teen in Malaysia
November 30, 2020
A British pathologist said Monday there was no positive evidence that a French-Irish teenager found dead last year near a Malaysian jungle resort was sexually assaulted, but he couldn’t fully rule it out due to severe body decomposition. read more
GBI Arrests 8 in Child Sex Trafficking, Gang Investigation
November 30, 2020
After a year-long joint investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested 8 people in Albany, GA on charges of child sex trafficking and violation of the gang statute. read more
States Unfairly Burdening Incarcerated People with 'Pay-to-Stay' Fees
November 30, 2020
Pay-to-stay, the practice of charging people to pay for their own jail or prison confinement, is being enforced unfairly by using criminal, civil and administrative law, according to a new study. read more
Forensic Sample Collection: 5 Reasons to Automate Sample Punching
November 26, 2020
With the size of DNA databases increasing, forensic laboratories are faced with a rising number of samples to be processed. Doing more with less means ensuring high-throughput processing, while maintaining a high degree of accuracy. read more
Rare Review of Cases Handled by Judge Forced Into Retirement by Dementia
November 25, 2020
A review of dozens of Judge ShawnDya Simpson’s cases found the decisions to be rational, a disappointment for a man whose claims of innocence had been one of the judge’s last cases. read more
DNA, Witnesses Help Exonerate Jaythan Kendrick After 25 Years in Prison
November 25, 2020
The wrongful conviction, plagued with racial profiling and highly suggestive eyewitness identification procedures, was vacated based on newly discovered DNA evidence. read more
George Mason to Unveil its New Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory
November 25, 2020
With the addition of the new five-acre facility, Mason becomes just the eighth location in the world capable of performing transformative outdoor research in forensic science using human donors. read more
Report: Inmates Killed in Colombia Riot Shot Intentionally
November 25, 2020
New evidence indicates most of the 24 inmates killed during a prison riot in Colombia’s capital earlier this year over fears that crowded, unhygienic conditions would fuel a virus outbreak were shot to death intentionally. read more
Nurse Practitioners Play Key Role in Opioid Addiction Treatment in Rural Areas
November 25, 2020
Giving nurse practitioners the authority to prescribe buprenorphine has brought that gold standard treatment for opioid addiction to people who might not have had access to it before. read more