Author Profile

MS Method for Semen, Condom Identification Could Revolutionize Rape Investigations
August 05, 2020
Scientists have pioneered a mass spectrometry-based technique for semen detection that can provide more reliable identification for the justice system while placing less stress on the victim. read more
Genetic Genealogy Points to Original Suspect in 1993 Kidnapping, Murder of 15-Year-Old
August 05, 2020
Detectives from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit arrested a 62 year-old Washington man for the April 1993 murder of 15 year-old Melissa Lee. read more
Student Develops Protocol to Train K9s to Detect Gunshot Residue
August 05, 2020
Since firearms are involved in many crimes, the Connecticut State Police wanted to also be able to train dogs to detect firearms and gunshot residue after a shot is fired. read more
Surge in Firearm Purchasing During COVID-19 Linked to Higher Rates of Violence
August 05, 2020
States with the most excess firearm purchases: New Hampshire, Mississippi, Kentucky, Vermont, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Arizona. read more
NIST Launches Investigation of Face Masks’ Effect on Face Recognition Software
August 04, 2020
Even the best of the 89 commercial facial recognition algorithms tested had error rates between 5% and 50% in matching digitally applied face masks with photos of the same person without a mask. read more
Vermont State Police Working with Parabon on 1982 Murder of Infant
August 03, 2020
Detectives used the time during the pandemic-related stay-home orders to pursue many unsolved cases,and the DNA techniques now available may help advance the Baby Boy Doe investigation. read more
Community, Law Enforcement Partnerships Best Help Kids Who Witness Home Violence
August 03, 2020
The Child Trauma Response Team, a police and community-based partnership, demonstrated success at screening and treating children for PTSD immediately following incidents of intimate partner violence. read more
FBI Study: M-Vac System Collects More DNA Than Swabbing
August 03, 2020
The study demonstrated that the M-Vac system is capable of collecting blood on multiple types of challenging surfaces, often with increased collection efficiency over traditional swabbing techniques. read more
Genetic Genealogy Helps Solve 52-Year-Old Murder in Orange County
August 03, 2020
After a 52-year manhunt, investigative genetic genealogy has helped identify the victim in Orange County’s oldest unsolved Jane Doe murder and find her killer. read more
Innocence Project: DNA Testing Could Prove Pervis Payne’s Innocence
July 31, 2020
The presence of DNA belonging to someone other than Payne would support the consistent story that he has told for more than 30 years: he was an innocent bystander who came upon the crime scene. read more
Air Force's Child Forensic Interview Course Earns National Accreditation
July 31, 2020
The Office of Special Investigations Behavioral Sciences Directorate, or XB, Child Forensic Interviewing Training Course has been accredited by the National Children’s Alliance, the national association and accrediting body for a network of more than 850 Children’s Advocacy Centers. read more
When Coughing is a Crime: COVID-19 and Bio-assaults
July 31, 2020
Targeted coughs, sneezes, even spitting, by individuals who claim to be infected with the virus have been recorded. read more
Colorado Court Rules Evidence Produced by STRmix is Relevant, Reliable
July 31, 2020
Rejecting a defense motion to exclude expert testimony regarding DNA evidence, the District Court for Weld County, Colorado has ruled that evidence produced by STRmix is relevant, reliable and therefore admissible in court proceedings. read more
Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office Partners with Othram to ID Remains Found on Beach
July 31, 2020
The Galveston Police Department has not been able to establish an ID from fingerprints and the decedent doesn’t match any record for missing persons. read more
Sexual Lubricant Survey, Database Seek to Understand Needs of Forensic Community
July 29, 2020
The primary goal of the database is to provide the community with a resource for analyzing sexual lubricants in sexual assault cases. read more
Is it Hemp or Marijuana? Achieving Accurate THC, CBD Measurements
July 29, 2020
NIST has launched a program to help laboratories accurately measure key chemical compounds in marijuana, hemp and other cannabis products including oils, edibles, tinctures and balms. read more
AAFS Publishes New Probabilistic Genotyping Standard
July 29, 2020
This standard was produced through ASB's DNA Consensus Body and sets requirements to be used by laboratories for the validation of probabilistic genotyping systems related to interpreting autosomal STR results. read more
Skull Recovered from Mississippi River Bank
July 29, 2020
A human skull recovered from the Mississippi River bank in Natchez is being sent to the state crime lab for forensic analysis. read more
2,500-year-old DNA Confirms Existence of Amazon Warrior Women
July 29, 2020
According to cutting-edge DNA analysis, the body actually belongs to a female, confirming Herodotus’ 2,500-year-old accounts of the Amazons, previously considered mythical. read more
Bio-crime and COVID-19
July 27, 2020
The global harm caused through COVID-19 provides extortion and terrorist opportunities for those able to synthesize and release new potentially catastrophic viruses or claim they can do so. read more