Michelle Taylor

Editor-in-Chief

Forensic

Michelle Taylor has worked on the Forensic brand since 2016. Well established in the industry, Michelle has attended dozens of scientific conferences and conducted interviews with key opinion leaders, including multiple Nobel Prize winners and award-winning forensic scientists. Michelle enjoys writing about investigative forensic genetic genealogy, novel psychoactive substances, next-generation sequencing, sexual assault kits and more. Michelle received her BA in journalism from Elon University in North Carolina. Michelle can be reached at [email protected] Michelle can be reached at [email protected]

Journal Editor Calls Out ‘Emotional’ Response to Controversial Study
September 29, 2021
Michael Peat, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Forensic Sciences, says he is disappointed by the “emotional” nature of letters submitted in response to a February 2021 study by Itiel Dror et al., that claims to show the potential for racial cognitive bias in the forensic pathology field. read more
Anthropologists Propose ‘Clearer’ Professional, Diversity Guidelines for AAFS
September 24, 2021
An update by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) to its vision and mission statement has spurred a broader conversation about language, inclusivity and room for growth. read more
Maryland Chooses Experts for Post-Floyd OCME Audit
September 22, 2021
After testifying in the murder trial of George Floyd, Maryland has assembled a team to review in-custody death determinations made by medical examiner David Fowler. read more
FBI to Run Multi-lab Study on Rapid DNA Enhancements
September 20, 2021
While states are still building the infrastructure needed to use these systems, the FBI and other stakeholders are already paving a path for Rapid DNA at the crime scene and for use in CODIS. read more
What Genetic Genealogy is Revealing about CODIS
September 17, 2021
Colleen Fitzpatrick used a different lens to examine CODIS—one that explores what her field has revealed about the DNA database and the criminal justice system as a whole. read more
Forensic Panel Details Lessons Learned from 9/11 Attacks
September 15, 2021
On Tuesday, just days after the 20th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history, forensic scientists who worked and are still working on identifying victims of the 9/11 attacks came together at ISHI 32 in a special panel titled, “From the Ashes- Lesson Learned from 9/11.” read more
Opioid Abuse Vaccine Enters Phase 1 Testing
September 13, 2021
A team is leading a Phase 1a/1b clinical trial for an experimental vaccine for treatment of opioid use disorder. The vaccine is the first to be tested in the United States for such a purpose. read more
Ancient DNA Suggests Hep B, HPV Caused Epidemics in Colonial New Spain
September 10, 2021
Researchers have reconstructed and characterized ancient genomes from skeletal remains buried in a Colonial hospital and chapel, where records suggest victims of epidemics were buried during outbreaks in Mexico City. read more
2 More 9/11 Victims ID'ed Days Before 20th Anniversary
September 08, 2021
As part of the largest and most complex forensic investigation in the history of the U.S., Dorothy Morgan and a man whose name is being withheld at the request of his family have been identified through DNA analysis. read more
Research on Uranium Cubes from Nazi Germany Could Inform Future Forensic Investigations
September 03, 2021
Robertson has modified some existing forensic-based analytical techniques, and turned to radiochronometry, or the measurement of radioactive materials and their decay products to determine the ''age'' of the material. read more
PCR Method Enables Better Analysis of Degraded, Challenging DNA Samples
September 01, 2021
In a new proof-of-concept study, researchers have validated a reverse complement PCR (RC-PCR) short amplicon 85 SNP-plex panel that can be used to improve library preparation for DNA analysis of difficult samples. read more
Team IDs Novel Urinary Biomarkers for Synthetic Cannabinoid
August 30, 2021
Two years after it was first detected in Europe in January 2019, researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have identified three biomarkers for APP-BUTINACA (also called APP-BINACA), an emerging synthetic cannabinoid. read more
Study Shows Use of Prescription Opioid Spiked 72% in Early Pandemic
August 27, 2021
A team of researchers from Kentucky is shedding light on increased drug consumption in the early days of the pandemic through wastewater epidemiology analysis. read more
Study Defines New Method to Detect, Visualize Sperm Cells
August 25, 2021
The new method is based on the development of aptamers, single-stranded DNA molecules capable of selectively binding to a given target. read more
Despite Widespread Belief, Fentanyl Can’t Cause Overdose by Contact
August 23, 2021
Earlier this month, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department released body camera footage of an officer overdosing after coming into contact with fentanyl. They called it a “public safety video.” A group of 400+ doctors and experts called it misinformation. read more
Study Evaluates the Use of Hands as a Biometric Identifier
August 18, 2021
Researchers from Lancaster University argue there is a strong need to investigate the potential for identification from digital images of the hand, especially in cases of sexual assault where hand information may be the only biometric available for analysis. read more
Touch DNA from Pills Can Snare Drug Makers, Dealers
August 16, 2021
Using PCR-based methodology that is common in most of today’s forensic DNA laboratories, the scientists recovered DNA quantities ranging from 0.006 to 3.700 ng, with an average of 0.267 ng. read more
Infrastructure Bill Would Require Breathalyzers for All New Cars
August 11, 2021
The Senate has approved a $1 trillion infrastructure bill that—if signed into law—will have an effect on transportation for decades to come. And thanks to section 24220 on page 1066 of the proposed bill, that transportation includes drunk driving. read more
Evidence, Accuracy of ShotSpotter Gunshot Detection System Called into Question
August 04, 2021
On the heels of a peer-reviewed study that concludes ShotSpotter may be of little benefit to police agencies and does not reduce violent crime, VICE News has taken aim at the gunshot detection system, alleging that police are altering evidence—a claim ShotSpotter has vehemently denied. read more
Responding Deputy Adopts Boy Who Survived Biological Father's Murderous Rampage
August 02, 2021
As Ronnie Oneal III was sentenced showing no remorse for his actions, Ronnie Blair was across town with his family—safe, loved and physically recovered from the events of March 18, 2018. read more