Author Profile

DNA Leads to Mother in 1992 Cold Case Death of Newborn
September 10, 2025
Thanks to advances in DNA testing, the case was reopened in October 2020 and evidence was resubmitted for testing. As a result, investigators determined the mother of the child was 58-year-old Cindy Sue Elder. read more
Maryland State Police Open New Crime Lab
September 10, 2025
The Forensic Sciences Division – Berlin, equipped with 21st century enhancements and cutting edge forensic capabilities, will upgrade the forensic services offered on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. read more
DNA Doe Project Identifies Last Child Victim of Bear Brook Murders
September 08, 2025
Nearly 50 years after her serial killer father allegedly murdered her, the DNA Doe Project has identified the little girl found in a barrel in Bear Brook State Park in 2000. read more
Othram Identifies 1984 Homicide Victim, Case Ongoing
September 08, 2025
This investigation led to the positive identification of the woman, who is now known to be Veronica Jane Miller, born on Nov. 10, 1963. Miller was 20 years old when she was killed and the homicide investigation is still open. read more
After a Skull and Femur Were Recovered, Genealogy Identifies Missing Man
September 08, 2025
Detectives from the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office recovered the skull. A visual analysis showed what appeared to be two entrance and two exit bullet holes. read more
Light-based Insect Analysis Sharpens Forensic Timelines
September 08, 2025
Researchers have developed a technique that uses infrared light and machine learning to reveal the sex of blow fly larvae found on human remains. read more
New Lab to Process 12,000 Pieces of Evidence Annually for Southern Minnesota
September 08, 2025
The new facility will include a full-service forensic laboratory and a digital crime lab. Having this laboratory available will speed up BCA evidence processing times for the entire state. read more
Firearm Suicides are Increasing Among Older Women at an Alarming Rate
September 08, 2025
While firearm suicides are higher among older men than older women, a new study found that this method of suicide is rising sharply among women 65 and older, underscoring the need for increased mental health support for older populations. read more
DNA Analysis Leads to Individual Twin in 1987 Rape Cold Case
September 03, 2025
For the first time in the U.S., an identical twin has been convicted of a crime based on DNA analysis. read more
Othram Identifies Skeletal Remains Found in 2003
September 03, 2025
In September 2003, an unknown man's body was found floating in the water under the Coast Guard Island Bridge in Oakland, California. read more
DNA Identifies Remains Found in 2009, Police Seek Information
September 03, 2025
In 2025, advanced DNA technology confirmed the remains belonged to Donald Myrel Nelson, who was reported missing to the Lacey Police Department in February 1989. read more
Tackling Drug Challenges through Global Forensic Collaboration
September 03, 2025
The global drug market is becoming more unpredictable and multifaceted, driven by rapid innovation in synthetic substances, dangerous mixtures, and toxic adulterants. read more
UK Issues New Research Reports on Violence Against Women and Girls
September 03, 2025
The College of Policing has published three new research reports examining police interventions designed to reduce violence against women and girls. read more
3 Ways AI can Support Forensic Work
August 27, 2025
Forensics experts say AI can be deployed similarly to the way other sectors are using it: to try to identify patterns and use predictive models to improve processes and reduce uncertainty. read more
Othram Identifies Skeletal Remains found in 2020
August 27, 2025
After five years, a man whose remains were found in a wooded area in 2020 in Knoxville, Tennessee has been identified as Gerald John Forsman. read more
Detectives Reopen Investigation into 1988 Death of Teens
August 27, 2025
The body was identified as 16-year-old Tamara Gifford of Florida but had relatives who resided in Starke County. Two days later, agency detectives located 17-year-old Christina Hillis, also from Florida, in the general area where Gifford’s body had been located. read more
Polysubstance Involvement in Youth Opioid Overdoses Increases with Age
August 27, 2025
A new study found that youth as young as 15 are using multiple substances combined with opioids, and by age 21, youth opioid overdoses more commonly involve other substances—primarily stimulants—rather than opioids alone. read more
Gun Injury Odds up to 20x Higher for Kids in Disadvantaged ZIP Codes
August 27, 2025
Children residing in “very low-opportunity” neighborhoods are up to 20 times more likely to be hospitalized for gun injuries than those living in the most advantaged areas. read more
Unique Fingerprints in 3D Printing may Foil Adversaries
August 27, 2025
A team has developed a way to create an embedded fingerprint in 3D-printed parts that would withstand the item being broken, allowing authorities to gain information for forensic investigation, such as the identity of the printer or the person who owns it and the time and place of printing. read more
After Reexamination Leads to DNA, Police Exhume Teen’s Body in 1993 Cold Case
August 25, 2025
After spending the last two years reviewing the cold case murder of a teen, detectives with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (Michigan) gathered enough information to make it necessary to exhume the girl’s body in hopes of solving the case. read more