Forensic Resources

Filter

Hide Filter

Now-identified Suspect in 1987 Rape, Murder was Previously Convicted of Sexual Assault
Detectives learned Michael Ruff Wigley was investigated in the early 1980’s for two separate incidents of sexual assault cases in central Texas. read more
Who’s Liable in a Self-driving Car Crash?
Police officers can often identify which driver is responsible for a traffic accident. But what about when a self-driving vehicle is involved? Which driver should be liable for that? read more
University Spin-off Uses AI to Detect Deepfakes
Steg.AI, a startup company based on artificial intelligence technology developed at Rutgers, is aiming to help businesses and organizations protect their media assets and intellectual property by making it easier to detect deepfakes. read more
Genealogy Links Possible Tulsa Race Massacre Remains to Surnames, Locations
In the most promising breakthrough yet, forensic scientists and researchers have generated investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) profiles for 6 unidentified individuals excavated from Oaklawn Cemetery during the 1921Graves investigation to identify victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre. read more
Florida Bill Seeks to Add Privacy Protections for Genealogy Customers
A new bill in Florida that seeks to add privacy protections for people who share their DNA with third-parties unanimously passed the Senate committee late last week. read more
Genealogy Identifies Jane Doe 43 Years to the Day Her Body was Found
Exactly 43 years to the day after a woman’s body was found on the shores of Lake Erie, in Sandusky, Ohio, police have verified her identity as that of Patricia Eleanor Greenwood, born 1948. read more
Grant to Alabama Forensic Lab Funds New Equipment Purchases for Opioid, Gun Cases
Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $276,803 in grant funds to help the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences purchase equipment and supplies to increase its capacity to assist with criminal investigations statewide. read more
Colorado Pilots First-of-its-kind Legal Competency Program for People with Brain Injuries
Colorado's Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health is piloting a first-of-its-kind program to identify and treat individuals with brain injuries who are either already receiving or are on the waitlist for competency services. read more
Illegal Trade and Poor Regulation Threaten Pangolins in China
Pangolins, unique scale-covered mammals, are drastically declining in numbers across Asia and Africa, largely due to illegal trade. read more
Ohio Finally Makes Strangulation a Felony
On Tuesday, a new law took effect in Ohio that makes strangulation a felony offense. Up until that time, Ohio was the only state in the U.S. that failed to recognize the potentially deadly crime as a felony. read more
Study: Household Dust Can be an Investigative Tool
A North Carolina State University-led study found it is possible to retrieve forensically relevant information from human DNA in household dust. read more
Hemp or Marijuana? Forensic Chemist Receives Funding for Rapid Test
While many states have relaxed regulations on growing and possessing marijuana, it remains illegal at the federal level. Federal legalization of hemp, however, happened in the United States several years ago. read more
DNA Shows a Woman was Aboard Doomed 17th Century Swedish Warship
A U.S. military laboratory has helped Swedes confirm what was suspected for years: A woman was among those who died on a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage. read more
Cal State LA, California Forensic Science Institute Project Fights for Wrongfully Convicted
After serving 38 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, Maurice Hastings was declared innocent on March 1, 2023—a decision that followed an October 2022 court order overturning his conviction. The victory was won through the advocacy efforts of the Los Angeles Innocence Project. read more
Zombie Drug Spreads to 48 States, Proposed Bill Seeks Crack Down
The DEA says they have seized xylazine and fentanyl mixtures in 48 of 50 states. In fact, 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized by the DEA in 2022 contained xylazine. read more