Author Profile

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
2021 Federal Budget Proposal Focuses on Violent Crime
February 13, 2020
The 2021 budget focuses on violent crime and mass violence, the opioid crisis, cybersecurity, and state, local and tribal assistance. read more
Improving Eyewitness Identification Key to Protecting Innocent People
February 13, 2020
More than 70 percent of all DNA exoneration cases involved mistaken eyewitness identification. read more
Fingerprinting, In-person Application Linked to Fewer Fatal Mass Shootings
February 13, 2020
Firearm purchaser licensing laws that require an in-person application or fingerprinting are associated with an estimated 56 percent fewer fatal mass shootings in states that have them. read more
Two States Endorse Bills for Mental Care for First Responders
February 12, 2020
Spurred by the health of their constituents, representatives from Nebraska and New Mexico are shining light on the mental health risks of first responders, specifically firefighters and police officers. read more
AAFS Recognizes Livermore Director with Early Career Achievement Award
February 12, 2020
A chemist who is the director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Forensic Science Center is the recipient of the 2020 “Outstanding Early Career Achievement in Forensic Science Award.” read more
Missouri A.G., Joplin PD Send Second Batch of Untested Sexual Assault Kits to Private Lab
February 12, 2020
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Joplin Police Department Chief Sloan Rowland announced today that the second batch of untested sexual assault kits identified in the SAFE Kits Initiative inventory were sent to a private lab last week. read more
Rifles and Shotguns Used More Often in Youth and Rural Suicides
February 11, 2020
Researchers found that long guns were used more often in suicides by kids and teens than by adults, and were more commonly used in suicide by people in rural counties. read more
State Reviews LA Police Use of California Gang Database
February 11, 2020
The California Department of Justice is reviewing the Los Angeles Police Department's records and policies regarding use of the state's gang member database after allegations emerged that officers in an elite crime suppression team falsified records and listed innocent people as gang members. read more
Deputies Hope Forensic Reconstruction Will Help ID Woman in 1991 Cold Case
February 10, 2020
Onslow County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying a deceased female in a cold case. read more
Solitary Confinement Significantly Increases Post-prison Death Risk
February 10, 2020
Even just a few days of solitary confinement may significantly increase inmates' risk of death after serving their sentences. read more
Incarceration of a Family Member During Childhood Associated with Diabetes in Men
February 10, 2020
Men who experienced a family member's incarceration are 64% more likely to have diabetes in later adulthood, compared to those who were not exposed to this childhood adversity. read more
Secret Service May Leave Homeland Security, Rejoin Treasury
February 10, 2020
The White House is throwing its support behind a plan to transfer the U.S. Secret Service back to the Treasury Department to better focus on the growing threat of online financial crimes. read more
Fingerprint Test Can Tell if a Person Used Cocaine or Simply Touched it
February 10, 2020
Forensic researchers have debuted a new fingerprint test using high-resolution mass spectrometry that is sensitive enough to tell if an individual has ingested cocaine or merely handled it. read more