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Former Soldier Uses Archaeology Training in MIA Recovery
David Brown has wanted to be an archaeologist since he was 8-years-old. He said he loved the idea of uncovering ancient artifacts and bringing history back to life. But Brown first had a different mission to fulfill read more
Genealogy Names Suspect in 1972 Murder of 9-Year-Old Girl
Using a 51-year-old DNA sample, bones dead and buried for 49 years, and forensic genetic genealogy technology, the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office working with DNA Labs International have identified the murderer of 9-year-old Debbie Lynn Randall. read more
The Polysubstance ‘Fourth Wave’ of the Overdose Crisis Continues to Grow
New research out of UCLA shows the proportion of overdose deaths in the U.S. involving both fentanyl and stimulants has increased more than 50-fold since 2010—from 0.6% (235 deaths) in 2010 to 32.3% (34,429 deaths) in 2021. read more
Team to Triple Size of Forensic Database of Mitochondrial DNA
The National Institute of Justice has awarded a team of researchers from Penn State $770,000 to sequence the mitochondrial genomes of 10,000 Pennsylvanians. This will more than triple the size of the existing database. read more
DNA Reveals Native American Ancestry, Leads to John Doe's Family
After a half-century, an unidentified man found in the Spokane River has been identified as Bruce Frank Sherman, a member of the Ojibwe Tribe from Deer River Minnesota. read more
Mummified Remains Found in 2000 Identified
The body was discovered on September 15, 2000, in Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton. She had been outdoors for several months, resulting in the mummification of her remains. read more
Experts: Inappropriate for Officers to Take a Photo with Escaped Murderer After Catching Him
A group photo of about two dozen officers in tactical gear posing with escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante minutes after his capture last week in southeastern Pennsylvania drew criticism from policing reform advocates and some members of the public. read more
The Growing Field of Firearms Audio Forensics
Can you match a gun that was allegedly used in a crime to an audio recording from the crime scene of a gun being fired. Robert Maher's initial reaction was, “I really don’t think that is possible.” read more
Suspect Arrested After Victim Asks to Reopen Cold Case
The case was reopened after the victim observed the 2015 press conference awarding the Fayetteville Police Department the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s FY2016 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Grant. read more
Skeletonized Remains with Gunshot Wound Identified after 3 Years
They found a young man, mostly skeletonized, lying face-down. The PMI was estimated at 2 weeks to a month and the cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound. read more
$31 Million in Grants for South Carolina Victims’ Services Groups
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that groups that help crime victims across South Carolina will soon be getting more than $31 million in federal and state grants. read more
Professor Working on a Faster, More Effective Breathalyzer for THC
Emanuele Alves is developing a device that could offer results within minutes and reduce false positives. read more
Suspect Confesses to 1994 Murder Hours After Police Visit
In a series of unusual happenings, cold case detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department (Virginia) have obtained a full confession from the prime suspect in the brutal 1994 murder of a 37-year-old mother. read more
Genealogy Identifies Army Vet Shot to Death in 1996
The man's cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head. Despite investigators multiple attempts to identity the man, his identity remained a mystery. read more
Hawaiian Researchers Working to Identify Unmarked Burials
Work to identify unmarked burials—at the invitation of the Saint Damien Burial Council on Moloka?i—will be ramping up, thanks to a $168,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to the University of Hawai?i–West O?ahu. read more