Author Profile

Baltimore Police Lawyers: Surveillance Planes Should Fly
April 22, 2020
Lawyers for the Baltimore Police Department told a federal judge that plans for camera-equipped planes to conduct aerial surveillance of the city should proceed, despite the objections of civil liberties advocates. read more
The Women Behind DNA Doe Project Inspire New Drama Series
April 20, 2020
“No, you can’t have the touch DNA results in time for the next commercial. It really does take time.” That’s one of the phrases Colleen Fitzpatrick has found herself saying to television writers and producers as she consults on a new crime drama inspired by her life and work. read more
Artifact of the Month: April 2020
April 20, 2020
The FBI's artifact of the month for April 2020 is Special Agent Barry Black's Hard Hat, which he wore responding to the "Oklahoma City bombing" on April 19, 1995. read more
Would You Give Up Personal Data to Return to Work?
April 20, 2020
As countries around the world edge toward ending lockdowns and restarting their economies and societies, citizens are being more closely monitored, in nations rich and poor, authoritarian and free. read more
Study: Visitor’s Garden is Improving Prison Visitation Experience for All
April 20, 2020
New research shows that a visitor’s garden at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women is helping to strengthen connections between the women and their children. read more
Forensic Lab Profile: Microtrace Looks Toward ‘Nanotrace’ Evidence
April 17, 2020
Using a combination of state-of-the-art instrumentation and techniques, Microtrace, specializes in the characterization and identification of small quantities and single small particles of unknown substances. read more
New Law in Virginia Removes Barrier to Proving Innocence
April 17, 2020
Governor Ralph Northam signed legislation to strengthen Virginia’s writ of actual innocence law, representing the most significant improvements for overturning wrongful convictions in over a decade. read more
Some California Sex Assault Victims Collect Own Evidence Amid COVID-19
April 17, 2020
Fears of getting infected with the coronavirus have prompted authorities in Northern California to allow some sexual assault victims to collect evidence with a nurse directing them in the hours-long process through a video call. read more
23andMe to Launch Genome-wide Association Study of COVID-19 Patients
April 16, 2020
The testing company will conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in an effort to identify genetic variants that contribute to COVID-19 severity levels. read more
Policies that Target Crime Reduction Around Parks Can Directly Benefit Communities
April 15, 2020
Crime directly affects the use that people get from their local parks. If crime is reduced, the environmental value can be unlocked. read more
COVID-19 Creates New Dangers for Police, But Opportunity Awaits for Police Reform
April 15, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity for police reform that could break the chains of outdated, and perhaps ineffective, approaches to policing. read more
New Approach to Combat Opioid Crisis in Rural Tennessee
April 15, 2020
PROMPT TN will combine the expertise of multiple institutions to develop opioid-specific resources designed to increase understanding of underlying causes of opioid misuse. read more
Evidence Preservation Key to Arrest Made in 42-Year-Old Murder Case
April 15, 2020
DNA testing and a fingerprint identification database that were not available in 1978 has led the Phoenix Police Department to arrest a man wanted for murder and sexual assault that occurred more than four decades ago. read more
Thailand Reports First Case of COVID-19 Spreading to Forensic Examiner From Deceased
April 14, 2020
Writing in the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, a pathologist from Thailand and one from China say they have observed the first fatal case of COVID-19 transferring from a deceased patient to a medical examiner. read more
ASCLD Recognizes the Top Performing Forensic Labs in the World
April 14, 2020
The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) has announced the recipients of its 2020 Foresight Maximus Award, which recognizes the top performing forensic laboratories in the world. read more
DNA Labs International Says New Genetic Genealogy Tech is Coming
April 13, 2020
DNA Labs International is announcing the introduction of new, advanced testing technologies, available later this year, which will yield more efficient genetic results with more targeted testing. read more
Utica College Awarded Federal Grant for Development of Cybercrime Investigation Training
April 13, 2020
Utica College was awarded a grant for more than $214,000 from the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance to develop an educational opportunities program in cybersecurity. read more
Survey: Majority of Washington State's Heroin Users Want to Reduce Use
April 13, 2020
A new survey of people who inject illicit drugs in the state of Washington yields positive and important findings for policy makers as the world struggles to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. read more
Deep Dive: Scott Hopkins and the Invisible Semen Case of 1979
April 10, 2020
The appellate court has now ruled that the prosecution's "topographic distribution" theory of old semen stains "shall not be admissible" at the new trial. read more
Grant Funds First College-in-Prison Program for Women
April 10, 2020
The Northwestern Prison Education Program has received a $1 million grant to support the expansion of educational opportunities for incarcerated people. read more