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Sweat-testing Strip Could Be Breathalyzer’s Replacement
For most people, sweat is an unwelcome part of their day. In Jan Halamek’s laboratory, it’s an important biometric research tool and sample. Researchers have developed strips that can test the ethanol levels in a person’s sweat to detect their blood alcohol content. read more
Gender-tailored Treatment Could Ease Opioid Epidemic
Gender-tailored methods to address the harmful mental health effects of childhood adversity may help alleviate the current opioid crisis and make treatment more effective. read more
How Vulnerable is Your Car to Cyberattacks?
The emergence of smart cars has opened the door to limitless possibilities for technology and innovation – but also to threats beyond the car itself. New research from Michigan State University is the first to apply criminal justice theory to smart vehicles, revealing cracks in the current system ... read more
Verogen CEO: ‘GEDmatch Will Be Improved, Not Changed’
When Verogen announced its acquisition of GEDmatch last week, some were apprehensive. But Verogen CEO Brett Williams told Forensic there will be no massive changes to the database and the privacy concerns of its users will be upheld. read more
Study Evaluates Effect of Demographics on Facial Recognition Software
How accurately do face recognition software tools identify people of varied sex, age and racial background? According to a new study by NIST, the answer depends on the algorithm at the heart of the system. read more
OSAC Adds 25th Standard to the Registry
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science has added the 25th standard to its registry of approved standards. read more
Evidence Testing Awaited in Mississippi Police Killing Case
Prosecutors are asking the Mississippi Crime Lab to speed up testing on evidence in the death penalty case of a man charged in the 2018 shooting deaths of two police officers. read more
DOJ Awards Over $62 Million to Support Health, Safety of Law Enforcement
The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs announced it has awarded funding totaling over $62 million to provide services designed to protect officers and improve overall public safety. The grants go to law enforcement departments, local jurisdictions, and training, technical assistance ... read more
Year-long Initiative Hopes to Make a Dent in Cold Cases
Innovative Forensic DNA is partnering with the Southeastern Homicide Investigators Association (SEHIA) and Project: Cold Case to launch "Upload for Justice," a year-long collaborative initiative to encourage law enforcement officers, families of victims, survivors, advocates, and the public to ... read more
Justice Dept. Plans Crackdown on Violent Crime in 7 Cities
The Justice Department announced a crackdown Wednesday aimed at driving down violent crime in seven of the nation’s most violent cities. read more
Search Finds Possible Graves of Tulsa Race Massacre Victims
Scientists surveying a cemetery and a homeless camp in Tulsa, Oklahoma, found pits holding possible remains of black residents killed nearly 100 years ago in a race massacre, investigators have revealed. read more
New Digital Forensics Hub Opens in Cayman
The state-of-the-art hub will be used to help safeguard children from child sexual abuse and exploitation, and to combat various other forms of cybercrime, which are not restricted by borders. read more
Rape Kit Backlog Act Passes Senate 3 Months after Lapsing
The Senate has passed the Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2019 by unanimous consent, authorizing the Justice Department to spend up to $151 million in grants to states and localities to address the rape kit backlog. read more
Justice Department Awards More than $333 Million to Fight Opioid Crisis
The Department of Justice announced awards of more than $333 million to help communities affected by the opioid crisis. The funds support families, children and crime victims dealing with the impact of substance abuse, along with first responders whose actions can often mean the difference between ... read more
Fake Social Accounts Bring Down Police Chief, Successor
Hours after the police chief in Vermont's largest city resigned over using a fake social media account to heckle a critic, the mayor announced that the officer acting as chief revealed she too has used a fake account. read more