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]

Austin to Remove Forensics Lab from Police Oversight
August 14, 2020
The City of Austin has chosen to remove the troubled forensics laboratory from under the control of the Austin Police Department as part of its City-Community Reimagining Task Force. read more
Anthropologists Rip Ancestry Estimates as Unscientific, Racist
August 12, 2020
In a letter addressed to the forensic anthropology community, two university anthropologists call for an immediate moratorium on the use of morphoscopic cranial traits in the estimation of ancestry, claiming the traits are not grounded in science and only serve to promote the debunked biological race concept. read more
New Stats Model Strengthens Accuracy of Footwear Evidence
August 10, 2020
The researchers found their models more successfully fit the location of accidentals on shoes than current models—and it did so quicker. read more
Arrest Made in 1986 Cold Case, Genetic Genealogy Provides Key Lead
August 07, 2020
Over the course of 32 years, Minnesota investigators interviewed and collected DNA from more than 100 people but were never able to link anyone to the rape and murder of 38-year-old Nancy Daugherty, a mother, nursing home aide and first responder. read more
MS Method for Semen, Condom Identification Could Revolutionize Rape Investigations
August 05, 2020
Scientists have pioneered a mass spectrometry-based technique for semen detection that can provide more reliable identification for the justice system while placing less stress on the victim. read more
FBI Study: M-Vac System Collects More DNA Than Swabbing
August 03, 2020
The study demonstrated that the M-Vac system is capable of collecting blood on multiple types of challenging surfaces, often with increased collection efficiency over traditional swabbing techniques. read more
Sexual Lubricant Survey, Database Seek to Understand Needs of Forensic Community
July 29, 2020
The primary goal of the database is to provide the community with a resource for analyzing sexual lubricants in sexual assault cases. read more
Bill Questions Proprietary Algorithms Used in Probabilistic Genotyping Software
July 27, 2020
A new bill brought forward by Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., is making the legality of using proprietary forensic software to unravel complex DNA mixtures just that—complex. read more
Two Security Breaches at GEDmatch Open All Users’ Profiles to Law Enforcement
July 23, 2020
On Sunday, July 19, GEDmatch experienced a security breach on one of the servers through an existing user account. The breach reset all user permissions, making all profiles visible to others for approximately 3 hours. read more
Missouri Bill Streamlines Rape Kit Testing, Adds Survivor Resources
July 20, 2020
Missouri’s governor has signed into law a sweeping bill that addresses sexual assault crimes, including an electronic tracking system for rape kits and a telehealth network for forensic examinations of victims. read more
Florida First to Protect Consumer DNA from All Insurance Companies
July 17, 2020
House Bill 1189 prohibits life, disability and long-term care insurance companies from requiring or soliciting genetic information from applicants and forbids DNA testing companies from providing consumer genetic information to insurers without permission. read more
Medical Examiners, Pediatricians Issue First Guidelines for Sudden Pediatric Death
July 15, 2020
An expert panel of over 30 multidisciplinary contributors from across the country came together to publish “Unexplained Pediatric Deaths: Investigation, Certification and Family Needs.” read more
Illinois State Police Reduce DNA Backlog by 33%, Debut Plan to Keep Momentum
July 13, 2020
Through a combination of laboratory accountability measures, lab robotics, rapid DNA, lean six-sigma efficiencies and the hiring of additional forensic scientists, the Illinois State Police have achieved a 33% overall reduction in the Biology/DNA forensic backlog. read more
3D Technology Brings Burnt Bones Back to Life for Investigators, Jury
July 08, 2020
The first-of-its-kind study used 3D imaging and 3D printing to reconstruct small burned bone fragments into both a virtual and physical replica a jury would be able to understand. read more
Forensic Artist Reconstructs Face of 8,000-Year-Old Skull-on-a-Stake
July 06, 2020
Dark hair and beard, light blue eyes, a light complexion and a scar on his head—this is what the 50-year-old man looked like nearly 8,000 years ago when his head was placed on a wooden stake during an ancient ritual. read more
DNA, Genetic Genealogy Solve 1982 Murder of 8-Year-Old Girl
July 01, 2020
This week, detectives solved Kelly Ann Prosser’s case through genetic genealogy, nearly 38 years after she vanished walking home from school on September 20, 1982. read more
Complex Family Trees, Genetic Genealogy Mark the Last of the Finalists in 2020 DNA Hit of the Year Program
June 30, 2020
Genetic genealogy has undoubtedly revolutionized forensic work, making its largest impact in cold case investigations. read more
NIST Spectral Library Adds Over 40 Fentanyl Analogs
June 29, 2020
The 2020 update sees the addition of more than 14,000 human and plant metabolites, including over 40 new fentanyl analogs. read more
Familial DNA, Search Highlight Finalist Cases in 2020 DNA Hit of the Year Program
June 26, 2020
Familial DNA and a kinship search were vital components of the cases selected as runner-up and third place in the 4th annual DNA Hit of the Year program. read more
Brazilian ‘Robbery of the Century’ Selected as 2020 DNA Hit of the Year
June 24, 2020
This transnational investigation of a major Brazilian gang has the markings of a history-altering moment—which is one of the reasons the case was selected as the 2020 DNA Hit of the Year just minutes ago. read more