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Forensic’s Top 10 News Articles of 2023
December 27, 2023
As we prepare to move into a new year, let’s take a look back at Forensic’s most popular news of the year, while reflecting on how far forensic science has come in the last 12 months. read more
Teen who Went Missing in 1979 While Looking for Her Biological Father has been Identified
December 27, 2023
After more than four decades, Sahara Sue Doe, a young woman whose remains were discovered near Sahara Avenue in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now identified as 19-year-old Gwenn Marie Story. read more
D.C.'s Dept. of Forensic Sciences Achieves Reaccreditation of Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry Units
December 27, 2023
The Department of Forensic Sciences’ application for reaccreditation of its Forensic Biology and Forensic Chemistry Units was approved. read more
Clemson Media Forensics Hub Digs into Russian ‘Narrative Laundering’
December 27, 2023
Researchers spent months digging into the ways that Russians are working to sway public perception about Ukraine through narrative laundering methods, including planting fake news stories on foreign news websites, creating fake social media accounts and even creating entire fake news websites using artificial intelligence. read more
The Health and Economic Toll of Gun Violence in Youth
December 27, 2023
The new study shows that the impact on family members is even greater when a child suffers a firearm injury than when another family member is injured. read more
Body Pulled from Lake 24 Years Ago Identified as FBI Fugitive
December 20, 2023
A body found wrapped in tire chains at the bottom of a lake in Kentucky in 1999 has now been identified as a man wanted by the FBI after an arrest for the alleged rape of a minor child one year earlier. read more
$12 M Grant Will Expand the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences
December 20, 2023
These funds will benefit the rapidly growing Harris County population by consolidating the medical examiner and crime laboratory services. read more
Genetic Genealogy Helps Identify 'Bones 17'
December 20, 2023
During a search of the area by detectives and search and rescue personnel a second set of human remains were found. These two victims were not immediately identified and have been referred to as Bones 16 and Bones 17. read more
A New Forensic Tool to Help Identify the Species of Skeletal Remains
December 20, 2023
Although most experienced forensic anthropologists can distinguish human bones from animal bones with relative ease, assigning non-human bones to a particular species can be a bit trickier if the investigator does not have extensive zoological training. read more
New York’s First Use of Genealogy to Solve Cold Case Rapes
December 18, 2023
For the first time in New York State’s history, investigators used investigative genetic genealogy to help generate a lead and make an arrest in two rapes that occurred 23 years ago. read more
Genealogy Identifies Young Woman Murdered Nearly 40 Years Ago
December 18, 2023
After 38 years, Washtenaw County Jane Doe, a homicide victim whose remains were discovered in a shallow grave in the Superior Township of Michigan, is now known to be Cheryl Coates. read more
Researchers to Examine How Much People Trust Forensic Science
December 18, 2023
The study will research the experience of marginalized groups in the criminal justice system to see where trust–and distrust–in forensic science arises and explore how to build trust in the science. read more
Jurors Recommend Death Penalty based on Looks, but New Training can Correct the Bias
December 18, 2023
Researchers found that mock jurors were more likely to recommend a ruling against hypothetical defendants with an untrustworthy facial appearance. read more
Inside the Notorious Gun Shop Linked to Hundreds of Chicago Guns
December 18, 2023
The story of one Indiana store demonstrates how the more than 60,000 gun retailers in America have little financial incentive to say no to questionable buyers and face limited penalties for failing to prevent illegal transactions. read more
Act Seeks to Give FGG Grant Money to Non-homicide Cold Cases
December 13, 2023
The “Cold Case Modernization Act" would expand the criteria for DOJ grant funds used to identify unidentified human remains through forensic genetic genealogy testing. read more
Genealogy Helps ID Remains Recovered From Atlantic Ocean in 2003
December 13, 2023
The man had an aged tattoo that appeared to be an eagle with an anchor and the letters “USN” or “USM” which were believed to mean U.S. Navy or U.S. Marines. read more
Body Farm Proves Ideal Spot for Hands-on Fire Investigation Training
December 13, 2023
During the three-day training, in addition to the field work, topics such as anthropological approaches to the study of burned remains, forensic archaeology and fire scene aftermath are also studied in depth. read more
Grant Enables Center to Add 3 Additional Forensic Sexual Assault Interviewers
December 13, 2023
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced that her office would grant a local group $269,000 to quadruple its staff of forensic sexual assault interviewers to ensure a less invasive and less intimidating experience for crime victims. read more
Genealogy Links 3 Men to 6 Cold Case Rapes
December 11, 2023
The success of a unique cold case unit in Cuyahoga County, Ohio continues with the identification of three rapists—impacting six victims—thanks to forensic genetic genealogy and familial searching. read more
Washington State Patrol Opens New Toxicology Lab to Eliminate Backlogs
December 11, 2023
The new site will allow for greater lab capacity and room for additional forensic scientists as well as more advanced equipment which will assist in the critical task of meeting rising demands for toxicology services in Washington. read more