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Nitazenes Detected in Wastewater for First Time During 2 Major Events
February 18, 2026
For the first time, researchers have used real-time wastewater monitoring to track nitazene compounds in municipal wastewater. read more
UK Committee: Collapsing Forensic Science System is a National Scandal
February 18, 2026
Forensic science in England and Wales is not working. Not for the police, not for forensic scientists or lawyers and ultimately, it is not working for the public and the criminal justice system. read more
Genealogy Identifies Doe as Man Missing Since 2009
February 18, 2026
The Clermont Police Department announced that human remains located in 2009 have been positively identified as Ernest Joe Manzanares, whose disappearance had remained unresolved for years. read more
From complexity to clarity—mixtures meet their match
February 18, 2026
DNA evidence is only as powerful as its interpretation. With increasingly complex mixtures, low-template samples, and the scrutiny of courtroom testimony, forensic scientists need tools and approaches that enable confidence, clarity, and defensibility. read more
With New John Doe Identification, Florida Police Clear Cold Case List
February 18, 2026
This marks the final unidentified individual on St. Petersburg Police Department's John/Jane Doe cold case list. read more
NIST Releases New Genetic Reference Material for Challenging Cases
February 18, 2026
NIST has released a new forensic DNA reference material, the first to include degraded DNA as well as mixtures of high-quality DNA from different individuals. read more
Baring the ‘Silent Violence’ of Philippine Jails
February 18, 2026
New research shifts attention from numbers to lived experience, examining how carceral punishment in Philippine jails extends far beyond legal sentences by permeating every bodily sense. read more
Genealogy Identifies Exhumed Remains Recovered in 1985
February 11, 2026
The case saw a significant breakthrough in 2019, when the man’s remains were exhumed. The exhumation enabled investigators to obtain a DNA profile from a femur bone. read more
Team Identifies 1978 Homicide Victim
February 11, 2026
It is believed Patricia Ann Ritchie was last seen in 1977 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It is unknown at this time exactly when and with whom Ritchie traveled to Florida before her death. read more
Partial Remains Found in 2024 Tied to Previously ID'ed Missing Person
February 11, 2026
These efforts ultimately led to the positive identification of the remains found in 2024 as belonging to Luke Micheal Butler, whose partial remains were previously identified in 2022. read more
Ongoing Pet Study Examines DNA Transfer Dynamics in Mock Dog Napping
February 11, 2026
New research confirms the potential for police forensic investigators to carefully consider the presence of pets at crime scenes as a credible new avenue for finding and investigating DNA leads to solve the case. read more
Mixture Matters: Practical Strategies for Interpreting Complex DNA Mixtures
February 10, 2026
Mixture interpretation begins at collection. Sampling strategy, substrate type, and environmental exposure all affect how contributors are represented in a profile. read more
CFSRE, Tennessee See Rise of Opioid 10x Stronger then Fentanyl
February 09, 2026
A new synthetic opioid that is 10x stronger than fentanyl has been identified in the fatal overdoes of 25 people in just the last few months. read more
Genealogy Identifies Skeletal Remains after 40 Years
February 09, 2026
Jeanette Marcotte was last seen in Saskatchewan in 1981 or 1982, three years before her remains were found in Florida. read more
Genealogy IDs Suspect in 1998 Cold Case, Victim in 2018 Case
February 09, 2026
Last week, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) identified the suspect involved in a 1998 murder, as well as the remains of a woman found on the side of the road in 2018. read more
CPD Seeks Public Assistance in Identifying Skeletal Remains
February 09, 2026
The Columbus Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying an unknown male whose remains were recovered in 2018, as the case remains an active and ongoing investigation. read more
Idaho State Police Forensic Services Earns Accreditation Renewal
February 09, 2026
Idaho State Police Forensic Services (ISPFS) has renewed its forensic testing accreditation through the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation. read more
Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Rising, But Better Access Needed
February 09, 2026
Methadone treatment for opioid use—which cuts the risk of death by overdose in half—among individuals insured by Medicaid-insured increased substantially after 2010. read more
Medical Examiner’s Office Launches Unidentified Persons Project
February 04, 2026
Hennepin County (Minnesota) has launched a new project to help identify some of the 150 unidentified persons cases in the Medical Examiner’s Office. read more
John Doe Identified After 45 Years
February 04, 2026
Despite a lengthy investigation that included releasing a composite sketch of what the man likely looked like when he was alive, he could not be identified and became known as Robeson County Doe. read more