Man Shot by FBI Had Ties to Boston Bombing Suspect
Ibragim Todashev, a 27-year-old with Chechen roots and a mixed martial arts background that mirrors that of the Boston bombing suspects, was fatally shot by authorities early Wednesday at his Orlando home during a meeting with an FBI agent and two Massachusetts state troopers, authorities said. The FBI gave no details on why it was interested in Todashev except to say that he was being questioned as part of the Boston investigation. However, two officials briefed on the investigation said he had implicated himself as having been involved in the 2011 triple-slaying in a Boston suburb that authorities believe may have been connected to Tamerlan Tsarnaev. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release details of the investigation.
Source: forensicmag.com and The Associated Press
Citation:
Hightower, K. (2013, 23). Forensic Magazine. Man Shot by FBI Had Ties to Boston Bombing Suspect . Retrieved from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/man-shot-fbi-had-ties-boston-bombing-suspect?et_cid=3272217&et_rid=515363537&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.forensicmag.com%2fnews%2fman-shot-fbi-had-ties-boston-bombing-suspect&location=top
NIST and NIJ Release New Handbook for Preserving Biological Evidence
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) have released a new handbook, The Biological Evidence Preservation Handbook: Best Practices for Evidence Handlers (NIST Interagency/Internal Report 7928). The handbook provides law enforcement agencies, forensic laboratories, and the judicial system with specific guidelines and recommends the best practices for preserving biological evidence. Written by experts in forensics, law enforcement, the sciences, legal scholars, medical personnel, and various professional organizations, the handbook provides valuable information to ensure quality preservation of evidence. The handbook is divided into five main sections: retention, safe handling, packing and storing, chain of custody and tracking, and disposition.
Source: Forensic Magazine
Read the full article here.
To view the handbook, click here.
Citation: (2013). Forensic Magazine. New a-z guide for preserving biological evidence. Retrieved May 2, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/new-z-guide-preserving-biological-evidence
[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]
Expert Witness – The Role of a Computer Forensic Expert From Retention Through Trial
Yet another free webinar is being presented by Forensic Magazine, covering the important role for computer forensic investigators as they serve as an expert witnesses. The presentation will cover the attorney’s expectations from the case formation through the actual trial. Join the webinar to learn how to work effectively with attorneys, how to educate them as needed, and how to successfully perform your duties from the start of your investigation through the end of the trial.
Register free here and receive CPE credit.
Source: forensicmag.com
Rapist Gets Life in Prison in Montgomery County Cold Case
Richard E. Ricketts has been sentenced to life in prison for the October 24, 1977 rape of a woman in Montgomery County, Maryland. In 2011, The Montgomery County cold-case detectives reopened one of their oldest unsolved cases and tested old evidence for DNA that led them to a direct match to Richard Ricketts. The DNA test from the victim’s body was checked against a national database of convicts that matched Ricketts’s DNA. Ricketts had been convicted in Florida in 1999 of burglary and sexual battery. Ricketts went on trial in Montgomery County in February 2013 and was convicted by a jury in April 2013 of first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree sex offense. Now in his mid-sixties, Ricketts will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Source: Forensic Magazine and the Washington Post
Read the article here: Forensic Magazine and The Washington Post
Citation: Morse, D. (2013, April 26). Rapist gets life in montgomery county cold case. The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/rapist-gets-life-in-montgomery-county-cold-case/2013/04/26/4052ada2-ae8f-11e2-a986-eec837b1888b_story.html
[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]
Boston Plotters Said to Initially Target July 4 for Attack
During the F.B.I. questioning of the surviving suspect of the Boston Marathon bombings, interrogators discovered that he and his brother originally considered suicide attacks and strikes on the Fourth of July. According to Dzhokhar, he and his older brother, Tamerlan finished building the pressure-cooker bombs and other homemade explosives in their Cambridge, MA apartment earlier than they had expected. This led them to accelerate their attack plans to take place on April 15, which is also known as Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts. The F.B.I found this new information from Dzhokhar, when trying to determine if Tamerland’s wife, Katherine Russell, had any part in the plot or in aiding the brothers as they evaded authorities. According to law enforcement authorities, Russell’s fingerprints and DNA do not match those found on the recovered evidence.
Source: forensicmag.com, and The New York Times
[Abstract by ForensIQ Intern – Mark Lombard]
Citation:
Schmitt, E., Mazzetti, M., Schmidt, M., & Shane, S. (2013, 7). The New York Times. Boston Plot Said to Initially Target July 4.Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/us/Boston-bombing-suspects-planned-july-fourth-attack.html?_r=0
Tracking Gunfire with a Smartphone
Computer engineers at Vanderbilt University’s Institute of Software Integrated Systems (ISIS) have developed a smartphone-based system for identifying the location from where gunshots are fired. The system is based off a hardware module and related software that can turn a regular smartphone into a shooter location system. The researchers at Vanderbilt University developed in the past, mobile “smart nodes” in a wireless network in soldiers’ combat helmets that can rapidly identify the location of enemy snipers with relatively decent accuracy. The team has since then adapted their system to the smartphone. The system consists of an external sensor module that contains the microphones required to detect the acoustic signature of gunshots and then transmits the information to the smartphone via a Bluetooth connection. The smartphone then uses the incoming information and transmits it to the other modules, then determining the origin of the gunshot by way of triangulation.
Source: Forensic Magazine
Read the full article here.
Citation: (2013). Forensic Magazine. Tracking gunfire with a smartphone. Retrieved April 29, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/tracking-gunfire-smartphone
[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]
Entomologist Studies Blow Flies and Crime Scenes
Aside from the typical clues at crime scenes such as fingerprints and DNA, Rutgers University graduate student, Lauren Weidner, is an entomologist who studies blow flies and their value to clues in a crime scene. Blow flies, which are attracted to a dead body within minutes after death, can help provide information involving the time of death and sometimes where the person died. Weidner stated that she must work backwards to determine when the eggs were laid and then uses that information to assist investigators. The life cycle and the larvae are much more predictable timeframes to work off of than the vastly different rates of body decomposition. Weidner’s research focuses on studying the differences in blow fly life cycles along with the impact of temperature on the life cycle.
Source: Forensic Magazine
Read the full article here.
Citation: (2013). Forensic Magazine. Entomologist studies blow flies and crime scenes. Retrieved April 30, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/entomologist-studies-blow-flies-and-crime-scenes
[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]
Forensic Confirmation Bias: When the Evidence Doesn’t Speak for Itself
Decades of psychological research have consistently shown that humans exhibit “confirmation biases” in decision-making. This phenomena is where we naturally gather, interpret, and even create evidence in biased ways that support our previous beliefs. As a growing number of wrongful convictions in the United States judicial system are being discovered, psychologists are exploring the effects of these biases in the field of forensic science and how they can be prevented. Such was the case in the 2004 Madrid train bombings, where a “loss of objectivity” led examiners to see similarities in fingerprint identifications that “were not in fact present.” This led to investigators to wrongfully accuse and detain American Muslim attorney, Brandon Mayfield, until Spanish authorities identified the true perpetrator. Based off the context of the Mayfield case, Itiel Dror and his colleagues developed an experiment that tested whether forensic examiners can be biased by their expectations, and found that their judgments were indeed sensitive to contexts surrounding a case.
Read the full article here.
Source: forensicmag.com & The Huffington Post
[Abstract by ForensIQ Intern – Mark Lombard]
Citation:
Kukucka, J. Huffington Post Canada. Forensic Confirmation Bias: When the Evidence Doesn’t Speak for Itself. Retrieved May 1, 2013, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-kukucka/forensic-evidence_b_3178848.html
Safeguarding Forensic DNA Samples
DNA evidence is invisible and remarkably easy to transfer, making it possible for a sample to be spilled or even planted on a piece of evidence. Boise State University professor, Greg Hampikian has developed a solution for this contamination problem by discovering tiny DNA and protein sequences that can be used to permanently mark DNA samples. Several years ago, Hampikian and Boise State computer science colleague Tim Andersen identified these sequences that were not present in nature and Hampikian termed them ‘nullomers.’ Hampikian explained that “DNA contamination is a fact of life in all laboratories,” and the key to protecting these samples may be stamping them with the nullomers as a permanent DNA bar code.
***Note: Hampikian’s research will be published by The Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. Pre-publication available here.
Source: forensicmag.com & Boise State Univ., Sherry Squires
[Abstract by ForensIQ Intern – Mark Lombard]
Citation:
Squires, S. Forensic Magazine. Safeguarding Forensic DNA Samples. Retrieved May 1, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/safeguarding-forensic-dna-samples?et_cid=3227680&et_rid=515363537&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.forensicmag.com%2fnews%2fsafeguarding-forensic-dna-samples&location=top
Department of Justice Updates Standards for Forensic Examination of Sexual Assault
The Department of Justice announced the revised version of the National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations (SAFE Protocol) on April 24, 2013. The SAFE Protocol is a guide for handling sexual assault medical forensic examinations in order to promote supportive exams for victims of rape and sexual assault. The revised version of the protocol has been updated to include numerous advances in technology. It also includes increased emphasis on victim-centered care and information on changes from the Violence Against Women Act of 2005. The revisions also include information on special need populations such as victims with disabilities or victims in the military. Additional information also involves drug and alcohol facilitated sexual assault and updated confidentiality and reporting procedures. Research has proven that examiners with the proper training who are using modern guides like the SAFE Protocol significantly increase evidence collection and the investigation of sexual assaults.
Source: Forensic Magazine and Department of Justice
Read the full article here.
Citation: (2013). Forensic Magazine. DOJ updates standards for forensic examination of sexual assault. Retrieved April 25, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/doj-updates-standards-forensic-examination-sexual-assault
[Abstract by ForensIQ, Andrea Williams]
Experts Speak to Advances in DNA Forensics at 2013 International Symposium on Human Identification
The 24th International Symposium On Human Identification (ISHI) will be held October 7-10, 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia. The ISHI is the largest conference on DNA analysis for human identification. The symposium will include topics such as forensic DNA analysis, cell typing, expert witness testimony, and much more. This year’s keynote speaker, Kevin Davies, author of Cracking the Genome and The $1000 Genome and editor-in-chief of Bio-IT World and John Butler, National Institute of Standards and Technology fellow and group leader are two of the confirmed presenters for this symposium. The ISHI attracts more than 750 forensic DNA analysts from all over the world and gives attendees the opportunity to openly discuss and debate numerous topics in the forensic DNA analysis field.
Source: Forensic Magazine and Promega
Read the full article here.
To register and get more information on the agenda, click here.
Citation: (2013). Forensic Magazine. Experts speak to advances in DNA forensics at 2013 ISHI. Retrieved April 25, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/experts-speak-advances-dna-forensics-2013-ishi
[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]
Putting More Science Behind Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Bloodstain pattern analysis is full of uncertainties in the forensic science field. Scientific studies and research support some pattern analysis but much more is needed to take out the uncertainness. Daniel Attinger, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Iowa State University and his team are using a three-year grant from the Department of Justice to perform numerous studies on bloodstain pattern analysis to help bring more science to the understanding and investigation of these unique patterns. Attinger and his highly qualified team are working to understand the physics behind the impact and drying of blood droplets and are working to develop tools for crime scene investigators to analyze bloodstains at the crime scene. In the lab, the team is working on tasks such as trying to understanding the trajectory of blood droplets through the air, reconstructing the trajectory, and developing a 3D device to measure the thickness of bloodstains at a crime scene.
Source: Forensic Magazine
Read the full article here.
Citation: (2013). Forensic Magazine. Putting more science behind bloodstain pattern analysis. Retrieved April 25, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/putting-more-science-behind-bloodstain-pattern-analysis
[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]
Photonics-enabled Tools Help Sort Clues in Boston Bombing
Photonics-based technology could play a central role in improving efficiency of investigations and possibly help prevent similar incidents to the Boston Bombings. Today, advances have reached the point to where it can identify suspects simply by their gait caught on camera, to identify shifting emotional states by calculating their pulse, and even identify explosives from as much as 100 meters away. With the huge array of cell phones with cameras being used by the public, the amount of video and image surveillance available to investigators of domestic terrorism, such as the Boston bombings, has increased. This image and video evidence can then be integrated into a huge panorama of the scene of an event, and can make faces and actions more recognizable when enhanced in the lab. As was the case in the recent Boston bombings, where surveillance, private, and even cell phone images and video sources were complied by investigators to identify the two male suspects.
Check out the full article here.
[Abstract by ForensIQ Intern – Mark Lombard]
Citation:
Burkhart, F. Forensic Magazine. Photonics-enabled Tools Help Sort Clues in Boston Bombing. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/photonics-enabled-tools-help-sort-clues-boston-bombing?et_cid=3211923&et_rid=515363537&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.forensicmag.com%2fnews%2fphotonics-enabled-tools-help-sort-clues-boston-bombing&location=top
West Virginia University Forensic Science Webinars
West Virginia University is offering free upcoming webinars on several very interesting topics in the forensic science field.
The first webinar, What Prosecutors and Defense Counsel Need To Know About Eyewitnesses, will be held June 11, 2013 at 1:30pm, lead by Associate Professor of Law at Widener University School of Law, Jules Epstein. Topics to be discussed include examination of eyewitness evidence, the psychology of perception and memory, the law governing eyewitness identification cases, assessing the strength of identifications, and the best practices for identification.
To register for this webinar, click here.
The second webinar, Reliability and Validity of Fire Science Examination, will be held July 31, 2013 at 12:00pm. Lead by Paul Bieber, director and founder of the Arson Research Project, this webinar will focus on the reliability and validity of fire investigation, application of the scientific method and emergence of a standard of care, and expectations and bias in fire investigation.
To register for this webinar, click here.
The third webinar, Fingerprint Fundamentals for the Legal Professional, will be held August 8, 2013 at 12:00pm. This webinar is an overview of fingerprint evidence and is geared towards helping attorneys understand the latent fingerprint process from the crime scene into the courtroom. Some topics to be discussed include latent print preservation and collection, chain of custody, friction ridge patterns, development techniques, and AFIS. West Virginia University instructor, Martin Overly, will lead this one-hour long webinar.
To register for this webinar, click here.
To read more about these courses and find out more information, click here.
Source: West Virginia University and Forensic Magazine
Citation: (2013). Forensic Science Initiative West Virginia University. Applications of forensic science for the legal professional—webinar series. Retrieved April 23, 2013, from http://fsi.research.wvu.edu/training/onsite-training/legal-professionals/webinar-series
[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]
Suspects Seemed Set for Attacks beyond Boston
Now that the second of the two male suspects from the Boston Marathon bombings has been detained, the small arsenal of guns, ammunition, and explosives found in their possession have led authorities to believe that they likely planned several other attacks. More details have been uncovered as to the types of weapons used by Tsarnaev and his older brother, Tamerlan, and the designs of the bomb have been linked to a terrorist manual. United States officials have said that the two suspects had acted alone in the bombings last Monday, but they are still searching for any clues or links to anyone who may have trained or inspired them to the ghastly assault near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
Source: forensicmag.com and The New York Times
[Abstract by ForensIQ Intern – Mark Lombard]
Citation:
Schmitt, E. The New York Times. Investigators Dig for Roots of Bomb Suspects’ Radicalization. Retrieved April 23, 2013, from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/22/us/boston-marathon-bombing-suspects-hoped-to-attack-again.html?_r=0
