Ten forensic scientists and one DNA research coordinator have volunteered to lend their expertise to assist the IDPH at the Chicago, Springfield and Carbondale laboratories. read more

Statisticians and forensic scientists across the country will keep working to put statistics behind the pattern evidence found in bloodstains and fingerprints and the digital evidence found in phones and computers. read more

California Governor Gavin Newsom has asked medical examiners and coroners across the state to review autopsies dating back to December to “help guide a deeper understanding of when this pandemic really started to impact Californians.” read more

In June 2019, a more comprehensive profile was created and submitted for investigative genetic genealogy testing. Investigators followed up on obtained leads and were able to determine the source of the DNA. read more

The President’s Commission on Law Enforcement continued to hold hearings on crime reduction, with panelists speaking about domestic violence and sexual assault, technology issues encountered by law enforcement, and leveraging technology to reduce crime. read more

The authors and Elsevier issued a correction, saying the authors were merely trying to emphasize the importance of adequate safety protection, rather than report the spread of COVID-19 from a dead body. read more

The sixth batch of untested sexual assault kits identified in the SAFE Kit Initiative inventory were shipped off to the lab. Precautions were taken to ensure that the kits could be safely dropped off while maintaining social distancing requirements. read more

A new study addresses safety concerns in an age of super-potent synthetic drugs like fentanyl, which can potentially be hazardous to chemists who handle them frequently. read more

Julie Welker, chair of Howard Payne University’s Department of Communication and coach of the speech and debate team, was recently named the Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association Educator of the Year. read more