The Changing Forensic Science of Arson is Freeing Innocent Convicts

New changes in the forensic science of arson field are freeing innocent convicts. The earlier and very poor practices of arson investigation have had extremely detrimental consequences. The new practices and standards of forensic science of arson are revealing the faults of the past. Louis C. Taylor spent forty-two years in prison, convicted of setting a fire in a hotel that killed twenty-nine people. The evidence of arson in his case has been revealed to be faulty. The New Yorker reported from an earlier case that certain evidence of arson also shows up in accidental fires as well. Earlier forensic science of arson standards were extremely lax, for example arson investigators having very little training and resisting new evidence within their field. In Louis Taylor’s case, modern fire investigator John Lantini looked at the evidence that originally convicted Taylor and stated it is impossible to determine how the hotel fire started.

Source: POPSCI

Read the full article here.

Citation: Diep, F. (2013). Popsci. The changing forensic science of arson is freeing innocent convicts. Retrieved April 14, 2013, from http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-04/science-arson-and-how-its-changed

[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]

Miami Cops Arrested an Innocent Man for Murder Based on a Single, Uncorroborated Witness

The human memory is a complex thing. Most of us can’t even remember what we ate for breakfast two days ago. So why are eyewitness accounts having such a large influence on the arrests of suspected criminals, despite their horrible track record? It is true that good eyewitness testimony can be the key to solving a case and successfully convicting criminals. However, their involvement in the crime has to be supported by solid physical evidence, not just the uncorroborated testimony of a single eyewitness. For 20-year-old, Walter Collier, this was exactly what happened. On the basis of one eyewitness testimony and little else, Collier was arrested, booked, and charged with second-degree murder.

Read the full article here.

[Abstract by ForensIQ Intern – Mark Lombard]

Citation:

Peters, J. (2013, 12). Slate.com. Miami cops charge wrong man with murder in a one-witness case.. Retrieved April 14, 2013, from http://mobile.slate.com/blogs/crime/2013/04/12/walter_collier_marquise_bess_miami_cops_charge_wrong_man_with_murder_in.html

Forensic Scientists in Britain Recover Fingerprints From Foods

Forensic scientists from the University of Abertay Dundee in the United Kingdom have successfully recovered latent prints from foods in a new scientific breakthrough for Britain. This accomplishment has been published in the forensic science journal, “Science & Justice” as Britain’s first academic paper on the subject. Two other studies in India and Slovenia have been done on this topic and both have also reported successful recovery of prints however these studies used a chemical substance not often used in Britain. This success will help assist law enforcement by providing more opportunities to recover evidence. The team at the University of Abertay Dundee first began trying to recover latent prints by using the techniques currently recommended by the Home Office. These techniques yielded low-quality fingerprints not acceptable for presentation in a court of law. The team modified the substance, powder suspension (PS), to find that this produced a high-quality mark on smooth-surfaced foods.

Source: University of Abertay Dundee

Read the full article here.

Citation: (2013). Abertay University. Forensic scientists recover fingerprints from foods. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from http://www.abertay.ac.uk/about/news/newsarchive/2013/name,11743,en.html

[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]

University of Maryland Places 3rd at Crime Scene Investigation Challenge

University of Maryland College Park students participated for the first time in Mount Saint Mary’s University’s ninth annual Crime Scene Investigation Challenge on Saturday, April 6^th, 2013. Professor Tom Mauriello and his student team of Criminal Justice majors, Tim Fromm, Mark Lombard, and Andrea Williams placed 3^rd out of 35 teams. The CSI Challenge is a crime scene competition where students from several universities both in the United States and Canada demonstrate their knowledge, skill, and proficiency in crime scene investigation and evidence collection. Students assume the roles of both a crime scene investigator and evidence technician and are presented with their crime scene scenario and given a limited amount of time to process the crime scene, collect pertinent evidence, and write all necessary reports. Students were required to perform crime scene tasks to include surveying and securing the scene, interviewing witnesses, crime scene sketching, crime scene photography, proper evidence collection, and thorough report writing. Law enforcement and forensics professionals and educators observed and critiqued the students throughout the crime scene scenario and recorded a final score for all teams at the conclusion of the event.

Finding Closure: Identifying Human Remains Helps Law Enforcement Solve Cases

Forensic anthropology is a field that can directly assist law enforcement with numerous cases. Human bones are put back together and analyzed by forensic anthropologists to determine the sex, age, height and nationality of a deceased individual. Determining these characteristics provides law enforcement with clues to unsolved cases and can help provide closure. Forensic anthropology helps with missing person cases in determining the identity of the individual and providing closure for the family of a missing person. Tools such as scalpels and dermestid beetles are used to analyze human remains and bones. The age of an individual is determined by analyzing the growth plates and specific areas of the human skeleton that deteriorate with age. Analyzing the pelvis bone determines the sex of the individual and height is determined by analyzing the length of the bones and looking at ancestry. Forensic anthropologists are also able to identify evidence of traumatic injuries such as stabbings and gunshot wounds.

Source: Forensic Magazine and Times Standard

Read the full article here.

Citation: Rodriguez, L. (2013). Times-Standard. Finding closure; identifying human remains helps law enforcement solve cases. Retrieved from http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_22973608/finding-closure-identifying-human-remains-helps-law-enforcement

[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]

How Forensics Plays a Role in Civil Litigation

Forensic science plays a role in many scenarios, many being criminal investigations and crime scenes. However, the value of forensic science and evidence collection can be used in many other areas as well. Civil law and litigation is a branch where forensic science is also very crucial because just like a criminal case, civil cases need evidence to prove a particular case. Many ways a criminal case is analyzed for evidence, similarly a civil case can be analyzed also. For example, cases involving some type of property damage can be analyzed by looking at some form of trace evidence. Forensic science can be beneficial in many types of civil litigation cases, using many of the methods and techniques commonly used to analyze criminal cases and crime scenes.

Source: Forensic Magazine and Gateway Analytical

To read the full article, click here.

Citation: Wagurak, R. (2013). Gateway Analytical. How forensics plays a role in civil litigation. Retrieved April 11, 2013, from http://www.gatewayanalytical.com/blog/how-forensics-plays-a-role-in-civil-litigation/?goback=%2Egde_3473162_member_227338971

[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]

12th Annual Advanced DNA Technical Workshop

Bode Technology is sponsoring the 12th annual Advanced DNA Technical Workshop series that will be held May 20-24. The various workshops included are designed to provide DNA training on the latest techniques and technologies to the forensic scientific community, as well as the opportunity for scientists to openly share experiences from their own laboratories. Leaders from various law enforcement and federal agencies will provide lectures, demonstrations, and mini-workshops on new technologies, concepts, and challenges in the DNA identification field. Included in this DNA forensic workshop is a 2-day Technical Session, comprised of  presentations and mini-workshops. Attendees are encouraged to register for the workshops and a ½ day Technical Leader Session on the 24th.

For the full schedule and registration information, click here.

Citation:

Bode Technology, Forensic DNA Analysis, DNA Collection Products. 12th. Annual Advanced DNA Technical Workshop.Retrieved April 9, 2013, from http://www.bodetech.com/training-and-workshops/workshops/annual-advanced-dna-technical-workshop-east/

NFSTC Launches Forensic Update News Series on YouTube

The National Forensic Science Technology Center announced April 9^th, 2013 its bi-weekly Forensic Update, a show series that will be broadcast on the NFSTC’s YouTube channel. Each episode will cover the latest forensic science news and technology and discuss forensic science events occurring all over the world. Every episode will also have a “Technique of the Week” clip, where forensic science experts or crime scene technicians will demonstrate a common technique used in the forensic science field. Viewers also have the opportunity to have their forensic science questions answered by sending an email to NFSTC.

Source: National Forensic Science Technology Center

To read the full article, click here.

To access the NFSTC YouTube Channel, click here.

Citation: (2013). National Forensic Science Technology Center. NFSTC launches forensic update news series on YouTube. Retrieved April 11, 2013, from http://www.nfstc.org/nfstc-launches-forensic-update-news-series-on-youtube/

[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]

NYPD Developing App for Officers with Crime Scene Data and Criminal Records

The New York Police Department is in the process of developing a new high-tech department-issued smartphone application for officers to use to access a wide variety of data and information about the people in the buildings they are dispatched to. A preview of the application was revealed on April 9, 2013 but Deputy Chief Ruben Beltran stated that it is still in the works but has so far yielded positive results by the 400 officers who are testing the application. With the application, officers will not be entering buildings blindly. The smartphone application would also give officers access to criminal and vehicle records and ideally to check for outstanding warrants, gun charges, high-risk sex offenders, and previous domestic violence incidents. As funding and approval are still being worked out, the NYPD stated that they will soon present the proposal to Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.

Source: New York Daily News

To read the full article, click here.

Citation: Slattery, D., & Hutchinson, B. (2013). New York Daily News. NYPD developing app for officers with crime scene data and criminal records. Retrieved April 11, 2013, from http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nypd-developing-detailed-app-officers-article-1.1312254

[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]

Seeking truth: meet the deacon who is a forensic scientist

Part Catholic deacon and part forensic scientist, Gary Pusillo uses the latest forensic technology to investigate problems in animal husbandry.  He considers everything from feed to air quality while investigating causes for animals dying or getting sick on farms that supply food to major corporations.  He also provides nutritional programs for animals, including the top level race horses like the 14 2012 Kentucky Derby winners. Pusillo describes his work as “putting together a puzzle” being “no different than a mystery” where his role is to simply seek the truth.

Full article here.

Citation:

Kandra, G. (2013, 6). Patheos: Hosting the Conversation on Faith. Seeking truth: meet the deacon who is a forensic scientist. Retrieved April 7, 2013, from http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2013/04/seeking-truth-meet-the-deacon-who-is-a-forensic-scientist/

Rapid DNA Analysis Webinar: Understanding How it Can Expedite Forensic Investigations

Rapid DNA analysis has the potential to become one of the most powerful biometric tools to be implemented in decades. This webinar will  host two speakers currently involved in the investigative genetic, forensic, and scientific fields from both the University of North Texas  and NetBio. The webinar will explain several things about Rapid DNA technology including how DNA is used in forensic applications, and how Rapid DNA technology complements current biometric technology while shortening the time from sample collection to results. This free webinar will be hosted by forensicmag.com and will take place on April 11 at 11:00 AM ET.

Register here.

Source: forensicmag.com

Robotics Cuts Crime Lab Back Log

New advances in DNA processing have once again aided investigators in shortening the turnaround time for DNA evidence. The six month back log of DNA evidence analysis that use to swamp the Miami Valley Regional Crime Lab in Ohio has been cut down into a two to four weeks completion time. With these faster turnaround times comes the quicker adjudication of innocent suspects and sooner charges levied against the true criminals. Denise Rankin, assistant director of the crime lab, said that this new innovation will enable the processing of DNA evidence from local departments to begin as soon as it is received and that each case may have 10 to 50 evidence samples for testing. Laboratory testing has become an increasing and vital aspect of law enforcement, and new advances such as these aid in closing the gaps in cases that have remained unsolved for months or even years.

Full article here.

Source: Forensicmag.com

[Abstract by ForensIQ Intern – Mark Lombard]

Citation:

Smith, J. News, information & entertainment for Middletown and Butler. Robotics cuts crime lab back log. Retrieved March 28, 2013, from http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/robotics-cuts-crime-lab-back-log/nWzST/

Seminar Brings Legal, Forensics Experts Together to Win Cases

Penn State Law is offering a day-long seminar on April 5, that will provide attendees an opportunity to learn from experts about forensic tools that can help win cases. “Forensic Science Legal Tools” is designed for prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys and civil litigators as well as members of the science and law enforcement communities who may be expert witnesses. Students who are interested in careers in law, law enforcement and/or forensics are also encouraged to attend. The seminar is free to the public but there is a fee to register for continuing education credits.

“The ‘CSI effect’ has created the perception that forensic science can solve and win cases with ease, but forensic scientists and law enforcement and legal professionals are continuing to face serious challenges on the collection and use of this evidence,” said David Kaye, a professor at Penn State Law. Kaye, who has written a comprehensive history of DNA evidence, will be one of the featured speaker and will be joined by Cedric Neumann, a member of Penn State’s Eberly College of Science Forensic program, and a renowned expert on fingerprint evidence who helped develop the digital ink library for the U.S. Secret Service.

For more information on the seminar’s agenda and location click here. 

Source: forensicmag.com

NIST Guides Seek Interoperability for Automated Fingerprint ID Systems

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released three new publications to assist forensic examiners in matching a set of fingerprints to those on file in local, state, or federal fingerprint databases. In 2008, NIST’s Law Enforcement Standards Office partnered with NOBLIS, a non-profit research corporation to implement the Extended Feature Set (EFS). The EFS is a method for encoding fingerprint, palm print, and footprint features regardless of what automated fingerprint identification system is being used. The first publication, Extended Feature Set Profile Specification, defines the EFS Profile, sets of reference friction ridge characteristics that allow examiners to “triage” their search strategy for a particular latent print. The Markup Instructions for Extended Friction Ridge Features provides forensic examiners with instructions to encode a set of latent ridge print information using the Extended Feature Set. It also ensures that examiners use common terminology to enable information sharing between other examiners. The third publication Latent Interoperability Transmission Specification describes the application profile language by which different automated fingerprint identification systems can communicate with each other.

Source: Forensic Magazine and NIST

To read the full article and download the publications, click here.

Citation: (2013). Forensic Magazine. NIST guides seek interoperability for automated fingerprint ID systems. Retrieved from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/nist-guides-seek-interoperability-automated-fingerprint-id-systems.

[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]