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Othram Announces Project 525 to Identify Missing and Murdered Children
February 26, 2025
Othram is proud to announce the launch of a new project focused on the identification of 525 unidentified children. The project name and initial scope commemorates National Missing Children's Day, held each year on May 25. read more
CBI Launches Public Dashboard to Track Progress on Sexual Assault Kit Backlog
February 26, 2025
The sexual assault case backlog, currently at approximately 1,400 cases, has been significantly impacted by the demands of the Yvonne “Missy” Woods internal investigation. read more
Study is Largest-ever Examination of Brady Violations
February 26, 2025
In 1963, the U.S. Supreme Court held in the case Brady v. Maryland that prosecutors must turn over any evidence favorable to a criminal defendant prior to trial. This rule is routinely violated, including in many high-profile cases. read more
AI Tool Could Enhance Forensic Investigations of Traumatic Brain Injuries
February 26, 2025
In forensic investigations, determining whether an impact could have caused a reported injury is crucial for legal proceedings, yet there is currently no standardized, quantifiable approach to do this. read more
Colorado Bill Would Require Reporting of Misconduct at CBI
February 24, 2025
Colorado lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill last week that aims to strengthen the rules for reporting and investigating misconduct at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) crime laboratory in the wake of the Yvonne “Missy” Woods scandal. read more
Advanced DNA Techniques ID Suspect in 1990 Park Murder
February 24, 2025
Evidence collected from Jon Lipari, who died by suicide in Oregon in November 2024, was linked to the victim Maria Weidhofer. read more
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Police and Othram Team to ID Missing Jane Doe
February 24, 2025
For months after her disappearance, investigators with the Rapid City Police Department collaborated with various tribal and private entities to generate leads about her whereabouts. read more
Investigators Seek New Leads in 1983 Cold Case
February 24, 2025
Despite years of investigative genealogy, media outreach and social media posts, she remained unidentified for more than 40 years. read more
BIA Launches Operation Spirit Return to Help Solve Missing and Unidentified Person Cases
February 24, 2025
The Bureau of Indian Affairs announced that the Office of Justice Services has launched Operation Spirit Return, an initiative to help solve missing and unidentified person cases involving American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States. read more
AFDIL Brings New SNP Capture Method Online
February 24, 2025
By bringing this new SNP capture method online, AFDIL can support expeditious DNA identifications using our existing FRS DNA database. read more
Unique ‘Sexome’ Could Help Solve Sex Crimes
February 19, 2025
Scientists show that bacterial species are transferred between both individuals during sexual intercourse, and these species can be traced to a sexual partner's unique genital microbiome. read more
Sex Offender Charged With Another Murder After Genealogy Identifies Missing Woman
February 19, 2025
In September 2021, a hiker found a human skull while walking along the Chautauqua Rails. An extensive search was organized and the remains of another woman were also found. read more
Now Identified, Police Investigate Cause, Manner of Man's Death
February 19, 2025
The cause and manner of death for Ryan L. Stone, who was 22 years old when last seen by his family in 1994, are still undetermined, but his family has finally been notified that he was found. read more
DOJ Identifies Industrial Chemical in Seized Fentanyl
February 19, 2025
The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office issued a community alert regarding seized fentanyl that criminalists at the California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services determined contained an industrial chemical commonly known as BTMPS. read more
College to Open an Expert Witness Training Center, Crime Scene Lab
February 19, 2025
Cedar Crest College will address a critical justice-system need with the creation of an Expert Witness Training Center and Crime Scene Lab. read more
Child Sexual Abuse Material Often Associated with Other Forms of Violence
February 19, 2025
The researchers analyzed 2,384 anonymous responses gathered from users of the dark web. Most respondents were young men aged 18–34 who sought child sexual abuse material involving girls. read more
How IDEMIA STORM ABIS is Impacting Law Enforcement in Florida
February 19, 2025
In this webinar, hear from Lindsay Jones, Latent Print Supervisor at the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and Eric Ray Technical Project Leader, from IDEMIA as they discuss How IDEMIA STORM ABIS is Impacting Law Enforcement in Florida read more
AI Tool Estimates Biological Sex Faster, More Accurately than Humans
February 12, 2025
The study authors say the tool can support forensic anthropologists when results are needed rapidly, such as in a mass casualty event. It also can better account for a more diverse population. read more
Remains Found in 2005 Identified as Escaped Inmate
February 12, 2025
Unidentified remains discovered by hunters in Blount County almost 20 years ago have officially been identified as Patrick Grayson Spann from Mississippi. read more
Investigators Use Genetic Genealogy to ID 1986 Rapist
February 12, 2025
In 2023, the DNA results were found to be a candidate for genetic genealogy and resulted in identifying a family line tied to the DNA evidence. read more