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]

Study: Comics Help Jurors Better Understand DNA Evidence
February 10, 2025
Imagine having absolutely no training or education in DNA analysis but being expected to decide if a person should spend the rest of their life in jail based on DNA evidence an expert explains to you in 10 minutes or less. read more
Research Moves Toward Blood Test to ID Babies at High Risk of SIDS
February 10, 2025
The researchers identified 35 biomarker “predictors” of SIDS—including ornithine, a substance critical to the body’s ability to dispose of ammonia in urine. read more
Corpses and Corpse Flowers: The Scent of Decomposition
February 05, 2025
Over the years, Thurn’s research has focused on the chemical profile of human remains, and how this profile changes. The aim is to develop technology that can help locate victims of mass disasters. read more
CODIS Hit Leads to Arrest in 2005 Cold Case Murder
February 03, 2025
Investigators in Salt Lake County (Utah) have arrested a suspect in the 2005 cold case murder of Jason Royter after a recent CODIS hit. read more
Study Shows Where to Sample Drug Bags for Max DNA Recovery
January 29, 2025
A new study from researchers at Flinders University aims to guide investigators on which area of the plastic bag may be most informative when sampling for DNA. read more
Cold Case Task Force IDs 1985 Victim of Serial Killer Duo
January 27, 2025
In November 2022, the Calaveras Cold Case Task Force—a non-profit group funded entirely by donations—conducted a reexamination of unidentified remains found in 1985. read more
Reports Highlight Idaho Forensic Lab’s New Programs, 2024 Efforts
January 22, 2025
Two recently released reports are showcasing the efforts of the Idaho State Police Forensic Services in 2024, including a new drug pilot program and successful SANE training initiative. read more
‘Amber’s Law’ Seeks to Earmark Monies for Understaffed Forensic Labs
January 15, 2025
The Spradlin family and their lawyer cited a backlog at the critically understaffed Kentucky State Police Forensic Laboratory as a reason for the case delay. read more
Global Drug Symposium Reports Increasing Use of Nitazenes
January 13, 2025
At a recent symposium on emerging global synthetic drug threats, multiple countries reported an increase in the number of deaths linked to nitazene use—including North America, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and more. read more
Study: Blowflies Can Retain DNA Evidence from Crime Scenes
January 06, 2025
A new study has shown that blowflies can inadvertently collect and retain DNA evidence from sexual assault crime scenes. read more
Over 1,000 Cases Impacted by Misconduct from Former CBI Forensic Scientist
December 23, 2024
After 14 months of investigation, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has completed its review of former forensic scientist Yvonne “Missy” Woods. read more
Forensic’s Top 10 News Articles of 2024
December 18, 2024
As we prepare for the holiday season and rapidly approaching new year, let’s take a look back at Forensic’s most read news of 2024 while reflecting on how far forensic science has come in the last 12 months. read more
The Newest Synthetic Opioid Enters the U.S. from Canada
December 04, 2024
ortho-Methylfentanyl (oMF) is an active mu-opioid receptor agonist with potency similar to that of fentanyl. It bears structural resemblance to fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, such as para-fluorofentanyl. read more
Police Deny Sitting on Evidence, Say They Must Balance Transparency and Active Case in JonBenet Investigation
December 02, 2024
In the Boulder Police Department’s annual statement on the JonBenet Ramsey case, Police Chief Stephen Redfearn refuted the idea that there is viable evidence or leads in the case that they are not pursing. read more
Police Deploy Hologram of Murder Victim to Generate Witnesses
November 27, 2024
Investigators in Amsterdam have deployed a unique campaign to try to generate leads in the 2009 murder of 19-year-old Bernadett “Betty” Szabó: a hologram of Szabó sits behind a window and asks for help. read more
Concerns Over CBI’s Response to DNA Scandal as Murder Cases Impacted
November 18, 2024
The Korey Wise Innocence Project and the ACLU of Colorado have sent a letter to the Director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with concerns over its response to the misconduct of former DNA analyst Yvonne “Missy” Woods. read more
After Initial Disappointment, Study Sees 37% Drop in Specific Overdose Deaths
November 06, 2024
Results published recently as part of a planned study of secondary outcomes show that the practices likely led to a 37% reduction in overdose deaths from opioids combined with stimulant drugs other than cocaine. read more
The Chimera Case: 1 Victim, 1 Suspect, 3 DNA Contributors
October 30, 2024
During the routine processing of a sexual assault kit, the victim’s standard was discovered to be a two-person mixture. read more
M-Vac Used to Help Link Serial Killer Bruce Lindahl to 1981 Murder of Teen
October 28, 2024
Four years after genetic genealogy linked the 1993 murder of 16-year-old Pamela Maurer to serial killer Bruce Lindahl, advanced DNA analysis has confirmed 19-year-old Kathy Halle as another one of his victims. read more
Digital Forensics, Cold Case Team’s Work Leads to Arrests in 2019 Murder
October 21, 2024
It’s extremely difficult to work a murder case without the victim’s body, but—with dogged investigation, persistent witness interviews and some digital forensics magic—that’s exactly what the Douglas County (Colorado) Cold Case Team did, culminating in the arrest and indictment of two individuals last week. read more