Author Profile

Colorado Sheriff's Office IDs Body Found in 1993
August 28, 2020
Redeker's body was found, unidentifiable, in June 1993 near the Rainbow Falls campground in the Pike National Forest in Douglas County Colorado. read more
Professor: Use SNPs, not STRs, to Reduce Errors in Familial Testing
August 26, 2020
In a study, Ge reviewed worldwide familial practices, ultimately concluding STR-based technology has limitations and is more prone to errors than SNP-based technology. read more
Phoenix Police: Hot Desert, Cold Cases Series Profiles Marcus Dickson
August 26, 2020
Back in 2009, 21-year-old Marcus Dickson was riding his skateboard when he was murdered—a bullet to the head. His sister Tina said he was on his way to Desert West Park to practice for an upcoming skateboard competition. read more
Gene Sleuths Suggest Wide Virus Spread from Boston Meeting
August 26, 2020
All of their samples were found to contain a tiny but distinctive genetic variant, which the the researchers then used as a marker to look for other cases related to the conference. read more
Professors Call COVID-19 Pandemic 'Largest Criminological Experiment in History'
August 26, 2020
Changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic are prompting an MTSU professor to reconsider the way crime statistics are analyzed. read more
Remains Dug from Japan Mass Grave Suggest Epidemic in 1800s
August 26, 2020
Archaeologists have dug up the remains of more than 1,500 people, many of them believed to have died in an epidemic, who were buried in a 19th century mass grave that is being excavated for a city development project in Osaka in western Japan. read more
Field Trace Vapor Generator Can Accurately Detect Explosives, Narcotics
August 24, 2020
Researchers with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory have just made it easier and safer to detect explosives and illegal drugs with a small footprint, second-generation vapor generator that can be used in the field. read more
Phoenix Police: Hot Desert, Cold Cases Series Profiles Lynsey Chainhalt
August 24, 2020
This summer, the Phoenix Police Department launched a new initiative to bring attention to cold case homicides- "Hot Desert, Cold Cases." read more
A Closer Look at the Public Art at Chicago Police Stations
August 24, 2020
While communities in Chicago and across the country are challenging the role of police, I thought I’d catch up with a few of the artists whose work is on display at police stations to reflect on their projects and get their thoughts on how those pieces hold up today. read more
Firefighters Exposed to More Potentially Harmful Chemicals Than Previously Thought
August 24, 2020
A new Oregon State University study suggests that firefighters are more likely to be exposed to potentially harmful chemicals while on duty compared to off duty. read more
Golden State Killer Sentenced to Life for 26 Rapes, Slaying
August 22, 2020
Joseph James DeAngelo, 74, pleaded guilty in June to 13 murders and 13 rape-related charges under a plea deal that avoided a possible death sentence. read more
Field Kit Can Distinguish Hemp from Marijuana in 10 Minutes
August 21, 2020
Without being able to test a sample in the field, law enforcement must seize any suspected controlled substance and submit it to a crime lab for full analysis, which can take months and cost thousands. read more
Forensic Psychiatrist Launches Center for Mental Health, Policy and Law
August 21, 2020
Jennifer Piel is a forensic psychiatrist on a mission to provide psychiatric help for people involved in the justice system–both those facing criminal and civil entanglements–and those working with them. read more
Army CID's Defense Forensic Science Center on the Frontline of COVID-19 Pandemic
August 21, 2020
In the middle of March as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States, the Army made mission adjustments to focus on protecting the force, posturing for global operational readiness, and supporting the national effort to fight the new novel coronavirus. read more
Negative Side Effects of Opioids Could be Coming from Users’ Own Immune Systems
August 21, 2020
Scientists report in a pilot study that opioid side effects like inflammation and pain sensitivity might be influenced by the body’s own immune system, which can make antibodies against the drugs. read more
Human Remains Found in Virginia Could Date Back to 1700s
August 21, 2020
Remains found at a house in Virginia could date back between the 1700's and 1800's. A large portion of the remains were exhumed for examination. read more
App Seeks to (Eventually) Provide Instant Estimate of Time of Death
August 19, 2020
The goal of geoFOR is to capture as much information as possible on body decomposition across a variety of geographic areas. Ideally, after years of data input, the app should contain enough data to provide near-instant estimates of time of death. read more
Singapore Launches First Center for Wildlife Forensics
August 19, 2020
The Center for Wildlife Forensics will strengthen NParks’ detection and diagnostic capabilities by drawing upon expertise across NParks to identify and analyse specimens involved in the illegal wildlife trade. read more
NCMEC, Othram Try to ID 1966 Drowning Victim
August 19, 2020
In 1966, a young woman drowned in Ropers Motel pool in Pecos, Texas and more than 50 years later this young woman remains unidentified. read more
Latest DDP Case Illustrates Value of Citizen Genealogists
August 19, 2020
Patty Williams Childress, herself a genealogist, social worker and private investigator, had been researching the cases in DDP’s pipeline when she spotted the similarities in this one. read more