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.
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[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.
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[Abstract by Walter Tates, ForensIQ-Inc. Intern.]
The ForensicWeek.com Show airing Episode 52 – Exposing Junk Science in the Courtroom
| ForensicWeek.com is airing Episode 52 this Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 7:00 PM (EST). The topic for discussion is “Exposing Junk Science in the Courtroom.” Their special guest is, Dorothy Clay Sims, attorney and author of the book, “Exposing Deceptive Defense Doctors,” who has spent over a decade teaching lawyers tips on exposing bad experts. Ms. Sims is also retained in criminal cases to assist the defense attorney in cross-examining the state’s forensic expert, as she did most recently in the Casey Anthony case. So join host, Tom Mauriello, LIVE or view the recorded show archived on www.ForensicWeek.com . Thank you for watching!
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“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]
New Handheld Drug-Testing Device
Intelligent Fingerprinting’s innovative device is offering a revolutionary approach to drug screening. The handheld portable drug-testing device analyzes the sweat from a single fingerprint sample for drug metabolites, which if present, indicate drug use. The device provides results in less than 10 minutes and screens for multiple drugs including Amphetamines, Benzodiazepines, Cannabis, Cocaine and Opiates. This product will launch 2015 so mark your calendars!
For more information about this fingerprinting drug-testing device click here!
Source: Intelligent Fingerprinting
[Abstract written by Noel Andres, ForensIQ Intern 2/19/14]
“Japan and U.S. to share Criminal fingerprint database”
The United States and Japan have made an agreement on sharing fingerprint databases that would benefit criminal investigations. This database of international fingerprints will aid law enforcement authorities to prevent domestic and foreign threats. This agreement will provide Japanese authorities with data from the FBI and the Department of homeland security. Japan is the first country the U.S. has shared fingerprint databases with.
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Source: Japan Daily Press
[Abstract written by Alicia Terrell, ForensIQ Intern, 021914]
6 Don’ts of Crime Scene Laser Scanning
Documenting crime scenes is important and crucial business, and with technology advancing at such a rapid pace it is becoming easier to do. One advancement that has helped the documentation of crime scenes is that of laser scanning, a method of using lasers to digitally construct a three dimensional copy of the crime scene. Advances with this technology have made it even easier and more efficient to accurately document crime scenes while preserving the integrity of both the scene and the scan data. However, no method is perfect and provided in this article is a list, with thorough explanations, of six don’ts when it comes to using laser scanning technology to document your crime scene.
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[Abstract written by Walter Tates, Forensiq Inc. Intern. 021914]
Criminal Justice Related Internships Available at Illinois Central College
Illinois Central College is offering internship opportunities for students and graduates of their Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement and Paralegal Programs. The Criminal Justice Internship (Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, and 9-1-1 Dispatch) is being offered for the Summer of 2014 and has been rated by students as their most rewarding and favorite elective course. Guidelines for how to apply, deadlines for required meetings, course requirements, and people to contact for more information about the program are listed on their website. If you are a student or graduate of ICC’s Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement and Paralegal Programs, do not miss this opportunity to gain experience in the criminal justice field.
Click here to visit the website.
[Abstract written by Walter Tates, Forensiq Inc. Intern. 021914]
ForensicWeek.com Broadcasting LIVE from Seattle, WA
ForensicWeek.com is broadcasting this week’s show on location from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), 66th Annual Scientific Meeting in Seattle, WA. The show will be LIVE from the Washington State Convention Center on, Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 9PM (Eastern) – 6PM (Pacific) Time. This episode showcases the Meeting’s Annual University Fair with representatives from an estimated 10 universities nationwide promoting their accredited forensic sciences programs. So join host, Tom Mauriello as he interviews these forensic science educators and brings the benefits of the University Fair content right to your desktop and mobile devices, on www.ForensicWeek.com. This special webcast is being brought to you through the support of our co-sponsors, Sirchie Laboratories and Dr. Richard Saferstein, Forensic Consultant and Author of the most well-known forensic science textbooks worldwide.
Touch DNA
DNA evidence is crucial when it comes to identifying suspects, victims, and whomever else is of interest in an investigation. Finding and retrieving this evidence is a delicate process which requires technique and proper knowledge of retrieval in order to maintain the integrity of the evidence. This article provides the reader with steps to ensure the proper attainment of DNA evidence left behind by touch.
Click here to view the article.
[Abstract written by Walter Tates, ForensIQ Intern 021214]
Thief’s Kiss Leads to DNA Evidence & Arrest
In an attempt to rob a jewelry store, two young thieves allegedly tied up, gagged, and threatened the owner of a Paris jewelry store after following her home. Out of frustration of the victim not cooperating, the thieves poured petrol over her head and threatened to set it alight if she did not provide the alarm codes for the jewelry store. Eventually the 56-year-old jeweler storeowner gave in and provided the alarm codes.
Hours later after the thieves cleaned out the store of all its precious jewels, one culprit returned to release the tied up woman. As a sign of compassion, the 20-year-old thief gave the victim a kiss on the cheek. This was indeed his biggest mistake!
DNA on the victim’s cheek was obtained and analyzed and forensic scientist at the scene swabbed the woman’s cheek to isolate the genetic profile. The thief’s DNA was identified and found to be on the National DNA Database. Months later the detectives discovered that the DNA matched a man who was being detained in Southern France on suspicion of other crimes. The alleged thief admitted to the crime and stated that he kissed the victim to “make up for the trauma”. The kissing bandit remains in custody while detectives trace his co-conspirator.
Click here for the full article!
Source: The Guardian
[Abstract written by Noel Andres, ForensIQ Intern 2/12/14]
WVU offers Free Forensic Workshops for Middle & High School Students
The popular CBS television show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, has manipulated the public into believing that crime scene evidence can be instantaneously analyzed, evaluated, and eventually linked to suspect; all within a 60 minute episode. This can be best described as the CSI effect.
Institutions across the United States want to bring the public back to reality from this fictional ideology, WVU is no acceptation. Charles Bily is an instructional coordinator with West Virginia University’s Next Generation Forensic Science Initiative, which is offering free workshops to both middle and school students. Fingerprints, Footwear impression evidence, Firearm identification, and Bloodstain pattern analysis workshops will each take place on February 22, March 22, April 26, and May 24, at West Virginia University’s Crime Scene Complex. Students who attend these workshops will learn both the process and value of lifting fingerprints and footwear impression; the importance of ammunition in firearms identification, and how to interpret bloodstain patterns at a crime scene.
Bily stated that it is a “really neat experience for the kids to take classes in that complex because that normally is reserved for the forensic science majors, So this is an opportunity for kids that don’t go to school here to get some experience in that complex.” Workshops are one and a half hour long, limited to a maximum enrollment of 25 students and are filled on a first-come, first served basis.
For the full article and to register for these workshops click here!
Source: Charleston Gazette
[Abstract written by Noel Andres, ForensIQ Intern, 2/12/14]
Modified Method for Obtaining Tool Mark Impressions
In the field of investigations, there are various methods and techniques to accomplish different tasks. New techniques and methods are developed frequently to help gather evidence more efficiently, effectively, and in ways that may be easier for others. This article provides a modified method to obtaining tool mark impressions with the step by step process to do so.
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[Abstract written by Walter Tates, ForensIQ Intern 021214]
