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Forensic’s Top 10 News Articles of 2020
December 23, 2020
This year brought unprecedented challenges that sometimes felt more like a movie than real life. Despite the hardships, individuals rose to the occasion to do what they could. For forensic scientists and law enforcement professionals, that meant continuing to do what they are best at—uncovering the truth and preserving justice. read more
Researchers Turn to STR Analysis to Fight Poaching
December 21, 2020
Researchers at the Wildlife Institute of India have, for the first time, used unique DNA markers to provide forensic evidence for alleged poaching cases involving the Indian rhino. read more
Genetic Genealogy Helps Solve 1999 Cold Case Rape, Murder of Young Mother
December 21, 2020
In the investigation of the homicide of Jennifer Watkins, Parabon submitted the genetic data profile created from the unknown crime scene DNA sample collected from the pants of Jennifer Watkins to a public genetic genealogy database for comparison. read more
A Non-destructive Method for Analyzing Ancient Egyptian Embalming Materials
December 21, 2020
The method provides clues to the bitumen's geographic origin and, in one experiment, revealed that a mummy in a French museum could have been partially restored, likely by collectors. read more
Man Shot by Philadelphia Police is Exonerated after 19-Year Cover Up
December 21, 2020
He was exonerated after the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office conceded that lead police officers lied under oath to cover up shooting Hicks—who was innocent of any crime—in the back three times. read more
Pandemic Fears Driving Firearm Purchases
December 21, 2020
Stress related to the coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainty of what the future holds is motivating people to purchase firearms, a trend that may be more prevalent in those who already own firearms. read more
Scientists Investigate Fingerprint Detection on Biodegradable, Compostable Bags
December 18, 2020
Researchers at De Montfort University Leicester are exploring how precious metals can be used to detect fingerprints on biodegradable and compostable plastic bags. read more
New Research Could Lead to Better Eyewitness Recall in Criminal Investigations
December 18, 2020
From a half-hidden corner in a crowded scene, a thief emerges to snatch a purse. Three days later, can you remember what he looks like? read more
Study: Immersive Reality Worsens Implicit Racial Bias
December 18, 2020
These results challenge the vision of virtual reality as an empathy machine and may have implications in the way virtual reality should be used to reduce implicit biases. read more
Experimental Vaccine Can Counter Dangerous Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoids
December 18, 2020
In a new study, Scripps Research scientists have devised a way to deactivate designer drugs after they've been administered—offering a potential path for treating addiction and overdose. read more
Beyond Borders: Connecting Female Scientists to Each Other on a Global Level
December 18, 2020
After an education and multiple degrees, Barbaro entered the industry, seeing an immediate need for community and collaboration across borders. In 2011, she founded the Worldwide Association of Women Forensic Experts. read more
Applied Biosystems SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer for Human Identification
December 17, 2020
The Applied Biosystems SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer for HID is a 4-capillary, easy-to-use, and convenient benchtop system that delivers gold-standard STR fragment analysis and Sanger sequencing with just one click. It is easily used across a broad range of forensic STR kits and applications as well as by multiple users. read more
Applied Biosystems Precision ID NGS System for Human Identification: Targeted Sequencing for Forensic DNA Analysis
December 17, 2020
The Applied Biosystems Precision ID NGS System for human identification can help you solve tough cases by getting more information from your challenging samples. Adopting next-generation sequencing (NGS) for forensic DNA analysis in your laboratory is simpler than ever when you combine the Ion Chef System and Ion GeneStudio S5 Systems with optimized Precision ID library preparation, template preparation and sequencing kits, and forensically relevant panels. read more
SAKI Grant Offers Tool to Help Identify Sex Offenders in Hiding
December 16, 2020
The Akron Police Department was awarded its third National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Grant in the amount of $150,000. The funds will be used over three years specifically for genetic genealogy testing of approximately 20 cases per year. read more
Forensic and Justice Center Awarded $7 million to Prepare Global Labs
December 16, 2020
The U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) has awarded $4.49 million to the GFJC to prepare laboratories in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Panama, and Morocco for accreditation. read more
Zodiac Cipher Solved 51 Years After it was Sent to Newspaper
December 16, 2020
A coded letter mailed to a San Francisco newspaper by the Zodiac serial killer in 1969 has been deciphered by a team of amateur sleuths from the United States, Australia and Belgium. read more
Study: Militarizing Local Police Does Not Reduce Crime
December 16, 2020
New research shows that the militarization of local law enforcement through weapons, armored vehicles, combat attire, office equipment and other items provided by the Department of Defense does not reduce crime. read more
Missouri Bill Aims to Get Forensic Investigators to Crime Scenes Faster
December 16, 2020
A Missouri state representative has filed a bill designed to help forensic investigators arrive at the scene of a crime more quickly—something that feels like it should be common sense, but is actually a problem for forensic personnel. read more
Forensic Approach IDs Illegal Medicine, Simplifies Data Sharing Between Labs, Police
December 14, 2020
Two forensic experts from Italy and the UK have collaborated to develop a first-of-its-kind technique that enables quick and accurate characterization of illegal pharmaceuticals and other products. At the same time, they have developed an approach to better share this information across forensic laboratories at a global level. read more
$100,000 Federal Grant to Aid University Forensics Training
December 14, 2020
A $100,000 federal grant will assist a law enforcement education program at Jacksonville State University. read more