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A Key FBI Photo Analysis Method Has Serious Flaws, Study Says
February 25, 2020
After ProPublica’s reporting last year, scientists at UC Berkeley tested one of the FBI Lab’s photo analysis techniques, identifying bluejeans by the pattern on their seams, and found flaws that challenge the method’s reliability. read more
Face-to-face Contact with Police Builds Trust in Fledgling States
February 24, 2020
Personal contact between police officers and citizens encourages a positive attitude about the country's central authority because such relationships provide information and facilitate social bonds. read more
Wisconsin AG: Survivior Justice on Tap After 4,000-Rape Kit Backlog is Processed
February 24, 2020
As of January 31, 2020, 1,038 kits with foreign DNA identified have been added to a national database of DNA profiles, out of 4,472 tested sexual assault kits. read more
DEA's Operation Crystal Shield Will Focus On Methamphetamine 'Transportation Hubs'
February 24, 2020
The DEA will direct enforcement resources to methamphetamine “transportation hubs” — areas where methamphetamine is often trafficked in bulk and then distributed across the country. read more
New Podcast Seeks to Dispel Forensic Pathology Myths
February 24, 2020
Doing its part to fight against the CSI Effect, “Detroit’s Daily Docket” is a weekly podcast dedicated to educating the lay public and armchair detectives about forensic pathology. read more
Helping State and Local Canine Teams be REDDI for Anything
February 21, 2020
The Regional Explosives Detection Dog Initiative (REDDI) provides state and local law enforcement canine handlers and trainers with the tools, techniques and knowledge to better understand, train and deploy detection canines. read more
It’s a Crime, but for Meth Cooks It’s Also a Job
February 21, 2020
Researchers say the study offers insight into the world of meth production and an understanding of why cooks chose this lifestyle, which can help with the development of prevention and rehabilitation efforts. read more
Half of Americans Okay With DNA Testing Companies Sharing their Data
February 21, 2020
The market for at-home DNA testing services has skyrocketed in the past 5 years. At first, privacy concerns were largely swept under the rug but mainstream crime cases, like the apprehension of the Golden State Killer, have brought the issue to light. read more
Study: Courtroom Psychology Tests are Unquestioned, May be Unreliable
February 20, 2020
While increasingly used in courts, new research shows the tests are not all scientifically valid, and once introduced into a case they are rarely challenged. read more
First-ever TrueAllele CODIS Search Frees Innocent Man Sentenced to Life for Murder
February 20, 2020
Cybergenetics' reanalysis of DNA using probabilistic genotyping was key to freeing an innocent man convicted of murder almost 10 years ago., read more
Medical Investigator Database Boasts Nearly 20,000 Full-body CT Scans, Wealth of Information
February 19, 2020
The website offers high-resolution full-body CT scans along with associated demographic, lifestyle, and health data at no charge to users who study forensic pathology, health issues, and human evolution. read more
Law School's Exoneration Project Wins Freedom for Two Men Wrongly Convicted
February 19, 2020
The Last Resort Exoneration Project at Seton Hall University School of Law has won the freedom of two men wrongly convicted of a double murder in Camden in 1995. read more
Illinois State Police Launch Interactive Forensic Stats Dashboard
February 19, 2020
The dashboard shows the number of assignments completed by each department, the average turnaround time and the current case backlog. read more
DNA Doe Project IDs 2004 Jane Doe in 48 Hours
February 18, 2020
Fifteen years later, DNA Doe Project produced a lead on the woman within 48 hours and has now positively identified the remains as Ginger Lynn Bibb. read more
'Code Out Violence' Event Builds Data-driven Tools to Combat Crime
February 18, 2020
For the past 10 years, the University of Chicago Crime Lab has worked closely with law enforcement agencies across the country to help integrate data analytics into their decision-making processes. Data analytics training for crime analysts has been a growing part of the work. read more
NM Senate OKs Bill to Stop Forcing Police to Erase Evidence
February 18, 2020
A measure that would stop police from having to destroy seized electronic evidence obtained through a search warrant but not the target of an investigation has unanimously passed the New Mexico Senate. read more
S.D. Governor Wants Agreements with Tribes to Tackle Crime, Meth
February 17, 2020
Gov. Kristi Noem is asking the nine Native American tribes in South Dakota to enter into law enforcement agreements with the state to better tackle crime and meth on reservations. read more
DNA Doe, Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office ID Woman in 40-Year-Old Cold Case
February 14, 2020
The identification of one of the agency’s most publicized “Jane Doe” homicides finally has been accomplished with the assistance of the DNA Doe Project’s volunteer genealogists and the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office. read more
NY Suburb Police to Use Vacuum Metal Deposition to Retrieve Fingerprints
February 14, 2020
Known as Vacuum Metal Deposition, the technology allows detectives in the Forensic Investigations Unit to retrieve fingerprints from multiple items where there was once a low rate of success. read more
Med Student Kickstarts School’s Human Trafficking Curriculum
February 14, 2020
Thanks to a medical student, the Mayo Clinic and other medical schools are beginning to integrate the topic of human trafficking into their curriculum. read more