Forensic Psychologists Can Provide Supporting Evidence In Court

Forensic psychologists, particularly in the city of Chicago, may be summoned to court to provide clinical assessments and other supporting evidence that can essentially resolve disputes and accelerate decision-making in complex family cases. Forensic psychology combines the disciplines of forensics and psychology to provide both objective and independent assessments to questions and issues concerning law and the legal system. With this in mind, forensic psychologists can assist families in court by providing assistance with child custody, assessments of addictive disorders, psychotherapy and rehabilitation, and forensic psychology and financial distress.

Interested in reading more about forensic psychologists? Click here for the full article!

Source: Forensic Nexus

[Abstract written by Noel Andres, ForensIQ Intern 3/6/14]

3D FingerPrinting

Anil Jain and a team of Michigan State University computer scientists and research collaborator Nick Paulter at the National Institute of Standards and Technology built the first three-dimensional model of a fingerprint. What they develeoped was a method that takes a two-dimensional image of a fingerprint and maps it to a 3D finger surface. It has all the ridges and valleys of the human fingerprint and its made using a 3D printer. They call this a fingerprint “Phantom.” This technology gives a “precise fingerprint model with known properties and features that can be used to calibrate existing technology used to match fingerprints.” This could improve the accuracy in fingerprint sensing and matching.

Anil Jain’s Technical Report on 3D Fingerprint Phantoms

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Source: Michigan State University

[Abstract written by Alicia Terrell, ForensIQ Intern, 030614]

Fun Crime Scene Cheat Sheet Infographic

This infographic gives a quick visual representation of the different types of crime scene professionals and the work each must contribute to collectively solve a crime. Quickly yet clearly, this inforgraphic summarizes some of the key concerns and uses of evidence found at a crime scene by giving brief descriptions on: how to lift fingerprints, suggesting clues to look for while estimating the time of death, the use of forensic entomology, analyzing DNA profiling and bloodstains patterns, and describing the process of how an autopsy is completed. Do not substitute this crime scene cheat sheet infographic for training, but use it as a guide for recalling tips and advice of the different types of crime scene professionals and their work.

Click here to view the fun crime scene cheat sheet infographic!

Source: Forensic Nexus

[Abstract written by Noel Andres, ForensIQ Intern 3/6/14]

DNA Evidence Solves Boston Strangler Cold Case

In January of 1964, Marry Sullivan was raped and murdered shortly after moving to Boston. Her murderer was not found, however Alberto DeSalvo, known as the Boston Strangler, admitted to murdering her and 10 other victims. He later went back on his confession and left room for doubt in the case. Almost 50 years later, DNA evidence surfaced that would put an end to all doubts and solve the case.

Click here to read the full article.

[Abstract by Walter Tates, ForensIQ Intern. 030614]

Study Shows How Dogs are Trained to Detect Explosives

Training a dog is no easy feat. Training a dog to detect explosives is considerably much more difficult. This article overviews a study conducted by Indiana University-Perdue University Indianapolis that explored the method used to train police dogs and determine its effectiveness. With the results of the study, options can be discussed on what can be done to make canine detection legally admissible evidence in court.

Click here to view the article.

[Abstract by Walter Tates, ForensIQ Intern. 030614]

Legal Professionals – Spend Two Days Learning the Essentials of Forensic Science

WVU Forensic Science Initiative, in collaboration with the National Institute of Justice, will host a free two-day program entitled, Essentials of Forensic Science for Legal Professionals, for legal professionals to expand their understanding of forensic science topics. The program will be held March 11 – 12, 2014, on the West Virginia University Campus in Morgantown, WV. Interpretation of physical evidence, wrongful arson conviction, bias in forensic science evidence, and basic statistical concepts in forensics are a few of the topics that will be discussed. Members of the academic community, lab personnel, and legal specialists will instruct and apply real-world examples to the content presented in this two-day program.

Register now to attend the free Essentials of Forensic Science for Legal Professionals Program. The first 20 individuals to register will receive a free hotel stay while attending the two-day training program! Registration closes March 3, 2014, 5:00 p.m. ET.

For more information about the program and to register now click here!

Source: West Virginia University

[Abstract written by Noel Andres, ForensIQ Intern 2/27/14]

Nile Blue Improves Crime Scene Fingerprinting

West Australian chemists, at Curtin University, are developing a new technique that could provide crime investigators with a safer, simpler and more versatile method for obtaining good quality fingerprints from non-porous surfaces and in wet or humid conditions.

The compound Nile red is presently used, providing investigators with both contrast and photoluminescence, making it easier to detect fingerprints on non-porous materials. Although proven useful, Curtin University’s Professor Simon Lewis states that this is expensive and the process uses toxic materials that pose health and safety risk to personnel. Professor Lewis’s team of researchers have found that when the compound Nile blue A is made up in water, a small amount converts to Nile red in sufficient quantities to develop fingerprints. Nile blue A is a less expensive reagent and can be used on non-porous surfaces like ceramic, glass, plastics, and adhesive tape.

Professor Lewis also states that while more work needs to be done, testing shows great potential for the new process, particularly in staff training and for use in developing countries. The main objective of his Australian research team is to improve crime scene fingerprinting by finding a way to obtain clear prints from different surfaces and extracting clear prints in wet or humid conditions.

Interested in reading more about improvements in crime scene fingerprinting? Click here!

Source: Science Network Western Australia

[Abstract written by Noel Andres, ForensIQ Intern 2/27/14]

Smart Gun

With the height of gun control debate there is a new technology that can possibly bring some ease. A large firearm store in California has added to its inventory a smart gun called the Armatix iP1. What is so unique about this firearm is the accessory that is required with its purchase. For this smart gun to fire a watch has to be worn. There are electronic chips in the watch and the gun that communicate with each other. If the watch is close enough to the gun a green light turns on and it is able to be fired. This could change the future of gun making technology.

Click here for full article

Source: Washington Post

[Abstract written by Alicia Terrell, ForensIQ Intern, 022714]

First-ever Application of Rapid DNA Technology

The Palm Bay Police Department in Florida was the first to use Rapid DNA technology in a criminal investigation. The DNA profiles were obtained from California based IntegenX’s RapidHIT 200. It is one of two stand-alone devices available in the world that can produce DNA profiles in less than 90-minutes. In January 2014, the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) began processing samples from active criminal cases. The results from the RapidHIT 200 were compared to those from a lab and more than 100 samples matched. The Palm Bay PD is now using the RapidHIT 200 weekly. Chief Doug Muldoon of the Palm Bay PD is very satisfied with the technology saying “The ability to solve selected crimes in less than a day is essential to protecting the public.”

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Source: Space Coast Daily

[Abstract written by Alicia Terrell, ForensIQ Intern, 022714]

Packaging Evidence

In the process or collecting evidence, it is of crucial importance to store and package it properly. If packaged incorrectly, the evidence can be damaged, destroyed, or compromised. Knowing how to store specific types of evidence so that they may be transported from crime scene to crime lab can make the difference between having useless evidence, and evidence that can be helpful in an investigation. This article gives tips and guidelines on how to properly package various types of evidence, ranging from DNA and blood evidence to physical evidence such as liquids, powders, and weapons of various natures.

Click here to view the full article.

[Abstract by Walter Tates, ForensIQ-Inc. Intern.]

Protecting the Crime Scene at the Initial Response

Protection of a crime scene begins with the initial responding officer, and because of this, it is important for responding officers to know what should be done to make sure that the crime scene is not tampered with or disturbed. This brief article provides the basic procedures that all initial responding officers should follow to ensure that they are doing their part to protect a crime scene.

Click here to view the full article.

[Abstract by Walter Tates, ForensIQ-Inc. Intern.]

“Why some people don’t have finger prints”

It’s always been a thought that someone who wasn’t born with fingerprints could commit the perfect crime. But how could this rare condition happen? Dermatologists refer to this condition as “immigration delay disease”. This is because it causes problems when the person tries to move to a different country. But the scientific term is adermatoglyphia. For years this phenomenon was not understood till a couple of years ago when dermatologist figured out that this was related to a genetic mutation. This was discovered two dermatologists studied a Swiss woman with the condition. Come to find out this was a condition that ran in her family. The dermatologist found that this was caused by a section of DNA that codes for protein. This mutated gene blocks the protein from forming. People who have this disease only have symptoms of having no fingerprints and fewer sweat glands. Without this rare family researchers may have never discovered the cause.

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Source: Mother Nature Network

[Abstract written by Alicia Terrell, ForensIQ Intern, 021914]

New Technology uses Body Odor for Identification

In Spain, scientists have created an “electric bloodhound” that can smell out individuals based on identifying qualities. They say that there are patterns that are recognizable in humans. These patterns are steady therefore everyone has their own odor that would separate them from others. These scientist claim that this technology is so correct that it could replace things like fingerprinting or iris scanning. This would be a less aggressive and less intrusive way for personal identification. This type of technology could be used in places like airports or borders checkpoints where the only identify verification are based on physical resemblance from a photo.

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Source: Washington Times

[Abstract written by Alicia Terrell, ForensIQ Intern, 021914]

Research Grant Awarded to Evaluate Footwear Evidence

Jacqueline Speir, Assistant Professor in the Forensic and Investigative Science Program at West Virginia University, has been awarded approximately $389,000 in grant funds to conduct research that will help uncover the forensic value of footwear evidence.

The goal of this research is to better understand potential discrimination of shoe print evidence. In order to determine this, Jacqueline Speir, and her research group will collect, characterize and compare randomly acquired accidental characteristics on the outer sole of hundreds of shoes. The data collected will provide insights into how well footwear impressions deposited at crime scenes can be linked to a single shoe and a suspect.

Funded for the next two and a half years, Speir’s research group will evaluate the similarities of accidental patterns present on shoes and the reported impressions left during the commission of a crime, as well as between impressions collected from different shoes. This research is exceptionally important and the findings could reveal the forensic value of footwear evidence.

To view the full article and to find out more information click here!

Source: West Virginia University

[Abstract written by Noel Andres, ForensIQ Intern 2/19/14]