What began with just 20 grantees in 2015 has grown into the largest cold case program in the country (arguably, the world), with over 100 grantees spanning 45 states. read more

A pioneering new test that can recover fingerprints from ammunition casing, once thought nearly impossible, has been developed by two Irish scientists. read more

Deaths due to illicit ketamine use have increased twenty-fold since 2015, but these deaths are increasingly occurring in complex polydrug settings, raising doubts over whether single-substance drug policies can reduce harms. read more

The only physical evidence located at the scene of a quadruple assault and homicide of teenagers has been linked to known serial killer Robert Eugene Brashers who, years later, died by suicide during a police standoff—with the same gun he used to murder 13-year-old Amy Ayers on that night in 1991. read more

After many attempts to obtain a DNA profile for Jane Doe, Astrea Forensics' work resulted in a genealogy profile that has been uploaded to accessible investigative genetic genealogy databases. read more

Based on nationwide survey data from more than 40,000 teenagers, the study also showed that individuals who slept less than the recommended 8-10 hours per night were more likely to engage in violent behaviors, such as carrying weapons or fighting. read more

In the 1950s, critical evidence, including the victim’s remains, went missing from law enforcement custody, with no documentation of their disposition. This halted further progress in the case. read more

A method was developed to identify the link between chemical warfare agents and the origins of the substances used in their manufacture. read more

In addition to the unit receiving recognition, Latent Print Examiner Elizabeth Molina was recognized as Latent Examiner of the Year. read more

In March 2023, I got a call from our partners at the FBI and the Latah County Prosecutor. The FBI had lawfully accessed the phone and laptop of the accused murderer, Bryan Kohberger (BK), and after parsing through the data, they were disappointed to learn there wasn’t much there. read more