Preserving Biological Evidence
A significant resource will become available for law enforcement personnel and evidence technicians in the first quarter of 2013. The Biological Evidence Preservation Handbook: Best Practices for Evidence Handlers is a definitive guide for the handling of biological evidence. The guide was produced by the Technical Working Group on Biological Evidence Preservation and co-sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Institute of Justice. With a broad range of various backgrounds, the group produced the guide to, “create best practices and guidance on how to properly preserve, process, store, and track biological evidence to safeguard against contamination, premature destruction, or degradation.” The handbook addresses many aspects of biological evidence such as details on tracking the biological evidence chain of custody and best practices for temporary and long-term storage of biological evidence. Additionally, the Technical Working Group on Biological Evidence Preservation plans to develop a document that will describe the different evidence tracking technologies available.
Source: Forensic Magazine and Evidence Technology Magazine
[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]
Citation: Mayo, K. (2013, March/April). Preserving biological evidence. Evidence Technology Magazine, 11(2) Retrieved from http://www.evidencemagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1179&Itemid=26
NFSTC Launches Forensic Science Simplified Website
A new online resource for understanding the basics of forensic science and courtroom admissibility has been announced by the National Forensic Science Technology Center.
The new website, ForensicScienceSimplified.org, is a beneficial resource for law enforcement, courtroom personnel and the general public. Developed by forensic science experts and under a cooperative effort with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the website provides valuable information for understanding forensics. The site is free to use and is available for both computers and mobile devices. Some of the forensic science topics include fingerprints, bloodstains, crime scene investigation, questioned documents, firearms, DNA, forensic photography, and trace evidence. Each topic includes basic information, expectations and limitations, frequently asked questions, and common terms and misconceptions.
Source: Forensic Magazine and NFSTC
[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]
Citation: (2013). Forensic Magazine. NFSTC Launches Forensic Science Simplified Website. Retrieved March 6, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/nfstc-launches-forensic-science-simplified-website
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 013 – “Lizzie Borden-Nothing but the Truth”
The forensicweek.com Show is airing Episode 013 – Lizzie Borden-“Nothing but the Truth” –LIVE-Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST). This show will bring viewers back to the Victorian era in New England as guests analyze the most infamous murder case of the 19th century. The case…, the arrest of Lizzie Borden for the double hatchet murders of her father and step-mother, Andrew and Abby Borden in Fall River, Massachusetts. The time, … August 4th, 1892. Special guests are Dr. Stefani Koorey, Editor and Publisher of the “The Hatchet: A Journal of Lizzie Borden & Victorian America; Michael Martins, Curator of the Fall River Massachusetts Historical Society and Dennis Binette, Assistant curator, both co-authors of the book, “Parallel Lives: A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River.” Want to know the facts about Lizzie, the murders, the evidence against her, why she was acquitted, and why the fascination with this case after 120 years? Then join host, Tom Mauriello, and the rest of the forensicweek.com webcast team and learn the “real” truth about Lizzie Borden and the legend. Watch the show LIVE or view it at your convenience after the show is aired. Remember all previous episodes are there also. Just GO TO www.forensicweek.com .
Washington Police Agencies Step Up Testing of ‘Crime Guns’
“Is the gun from your murder case hiding in the evidence vault of a neighboring police department?” firearms expert Pete Gagliardi asked the group of detectives and personnel from 31 police agencies at a Washington Criminal Justice Training Center seminar last week. Each time a gun is fired, it ejects a shell that has marks as unique as fingerprints. This important piece of evidence gives agencies that have collected firearms off the streets a great tool against murders with firearms and other gun crimes. However, many police agencies have several firearms that have not been tested and are simply sitting in their vaults. Brad Buckles, the ATF director in 1999 when the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) was created, said that “there are thousands, probably tens of thousands of firearms around the country in police department vaults that are never test-fired and are never entered into that system. Recently however, the ATF is following the Washington State Patrol’s Seattle crime lab’s lead in gaining more advanced analyses of shell casings through the use of a new 3D terminal that connects to the NIBIN network.
See the full article and a video here.
Source: forensicmag.com
[Abstract by ForensIQ Intern – Mark Lombard]
Citation:
Ingalls, C. (2013, 20). King5.com. Washington police agencies step up testing of ‘crime guns’. Retrieved February 26, 2013, from http://www.king5.com/news/local/KING-5-Investigation-prompts-WA-police-agencies-to-take-closer-look-at-their-crime-guns-192113341.html
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 012 – The National Law Enforcement Museum
The forensicweek.com Show is airing Episode 012 – The Making of a National Law Enforcement Museum – LIVE TONIGHT, Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST). Special guest Rebecca Looney, the museum’s exhibit content developer, will discuss the “Launching of the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, DC, paving the way for the nation’s largest and most comprehensive museum honoring the duty and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers.” So join host, Tom Mauriello, and the rest of the forensicweek.com team and learn the “real” truth about the development of our nation’s first of its kind national law enforcement museum. Watch the show LIVE or view it at your convenience after the show is aired. Remember all previous episodes are there also. Just GO TO www.forensicweek.com or directly to http://www.youtube.com/forensicweek/.
Robot inquisition keeps witnesses on the right track
Memory is a strange and very impressionable thing. Police constantly run into problems with witnesses recalling potential crimes, and must carefully choose their words when interviewing so as not to influence the witnesses’ recounting of events. This issue, known as the misinformation effect, refers to the influence of using intense words during questioning of witnesses. One such example is using “smash” rather than “bump” or “hit” in cases of car accidents, which actually causes witnesses to report higher speeds and more serious damage. But what happens when a robot asks the questions? Mississippi State University tested this phenomenon by conducting an interview with two separate groups: one with a human and the other with a robot, controlled in a Wizard of Oz like set-up. When asked by a human interviewer, the questions caused the accuracy of witness recall to drop by 40 percent, whereas the questions posed by the robot interviewer had no effect.
Sourced from forensicweek.com
Citation:
Hodson, H. New Scientist . Robot inquisition keeps witnesses on the right track. Retrieved February 9, 2013, from http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21729036.100-robot-inquisition-keeps-witnesses-on-the-right-track.html?cmpid=RSS|NSNS|2012-GLOBAL|crime-and-forensics
West Virginia University Forensic Science Initiative Offers Online Forensic Courses
West Virginia University’s Forensic Science Initiative (FSI) is presenting a collection of online forensic courses, including Forensic Science 101: An Introduction, Science of Fingerprints, Principles of Death Investigation, Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Crime Scene Investigation, and Fundamentals of Forensic Toxicology. FSI also offers the Continuing Education Program Tracks (CEPT) in four areas: Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Biology, and Specialized Skills. The tracks contain a capstone that is a comprehensive exam of the knowledge students have gained from the courses taken.
These courses are open to everyone from forensic professionals to the general public. Federal employees can take courses for $30 per course and the general public can take courses at a fee of $225 per course. The general public can also take advantage of the Continuing Education Program Tracks (CEPT), which decreases the cost to $100 per course.
For a complete list of courses offered by FSI and more information, please visit here.
Source: forensicmag.com
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 011 – Solving a Serial Murder
The forensicweek.com Show is airing Episode 011 – Solving a Serial Murder – LIVE TONIGHT, Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST). Special guest FBI Special Agent Robert Hilland, will discuss how the FBI brought the nearly 40 year investigation of serial killer John Smith to a successful conclusion. Smith eluded law enforcement for 26 years before his arrest in 2000. Special Agent Hilland has been featured on 20/20, Cold Case Files, The New Detectives, Forensic Files and On the Case with Paula Zahn presenting the details of this case. Forensicweek.com will focus on the role forensic science played in bringing Smith to justice. So join host, Tom Mauriello, and the rest of the forensicweek.com team and learn the “real” truth about investigating a serial murder case. Watch the show LIVE or view it at your convenience after the show is aired. Remember all previous episodes are there also. Just GO TO www.forensicweek.com or directly to http://www.youtube.com/forensicweek/.
Free training on Essentials of Forensic Science for Legal Professionals
The West Virginia University Forensic Science Initiative, in collaboration with the National Institute of Justice, is holding the 2013 Spring Essentials of Forensic Science for Legal Professionals program. This training is FREE to practicing prosecuting attorneys who work for a state or county agency and will take place March 19-20, in Tulsa, OK.
The two day program will provide the basic precepts of forensic science training and supply the tools to effectively apply this information for trial. Attendees will also be given information on evaluating the scientific rigor of expert testimony and the reliability of forensic evidence. Members of academia, scientists, and attorneys will instruct and apply practical examples to the content presented. This is an excellent opportunity for the legal community to broaden their knowledge of important forensic science topics while also receiving continuing legal education.
Topics include:
- The Forensic Analysis of Evidence: How Scientific is it?
- Crime Scene Response, Evidence Collection, and Preservation
- Quality Assurance for Forensic Laboratories
- Sufficiency of Forensic Science Laboratory Reports
- Basic Statistical Concepts in Forensics
- Frye, Daubert, and Their Application to Current Issues in Forensic Science
Registration will open January 28, 2013 at 12:00 PM (EST).
Source: forensicmag.com
NIJ Accepting Proposals for Research on Firearms and Violence
The National Institute of Justice’s solicitation on firearms and violence is now available. This means that NIJ is accepting proposals for research on topics, such as the effects of criminal justice interventions on reducing gun violence, improving data systems for studying gun violence, illicit gun markets, and the effects of firearm policies and legislation on public safety.
Deadline for applications is May 2, 2013.
View all current funding opportunities from NIJ.
Source: forensicmag.com
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 010 – Gun Control vs. Gun Safety
The forensicweek.com Show is airing Episode 010 – Gun Control vs. Gun Safety – tonight, Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST). A panel of distinguished guests will discuss the issues related to the gun violence recently terrorizing the country and causing the loss of innocent lives. Guests will include a mother who lost her 12 year old son in an accidental hand gun incident and is a “Mother on a Mission,” to help stop gun violence; a clinical psychologist, author, professor and retired corrections executive, who will delve into the criminal mind of those who use weapons as tools of aggression; a Forensic Scientist and Professor, who has examined weapon related evidence for many years; and a security and counterintelligence expert, retired special agent, and professional public speaker, who has dedicated his career to countering the threat to our national security. So join host, Tom Mauriello, and the rest of the forensicweek.com team and learn the “real” truth about this explosive subject. Watch the show LIVE or view it at your convenience after the show is aired. Just GO TO www.forensicweek.com or directly to http://www.youtube.com/forensicweek/.
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 009 – Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction
The forensicweek.com Show is airing Episode 009 this Thursday evening, January 31, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST), discussing the identification and handling of “Hazardous Materials (HazMat) & Weapons of Mass Destruction,” with special guests – Michael Hildebrand and Gregg Noll, preeminent experts and co-authors in the field. So join host, Tom Mauriello, and the rest of the forensicweek.com team and learn the “real” truth about the forensic evidence associated with Hazardous Materials (HazMat) & Weapons of Mass Destruction. Watch the show LIVE or view it at your convenience after the show is aired. Just GO TO www.forensicweek.com or directly to http://www.youtube.com/forensicweek/.
AIEWE 2013 Expert Witness Bootcamp
The American Institute for Expert Witness Education’s (AIEWE) Expert Witness Bootcamp is hosting an intensive three-day clinic designed to develop and enhance the testifying and communication skills of professionals who serve as expert courtroom witnesses in a variety of industries including accounting, financial and valuation, marital dissolution, fraud investigation, medical, high technology, fire and others.
Attendees will work on simulated case studies that incorporate their actual work product and engagements. Members of the AIEWE faculty of seasoned experts, witness preparation consultants, strategic communications coaches, and trial attorneys who have an average of more than 25 years of experience will coach participants in a variety of real world scenarios include jury and bench trials in federal and state courts, matrimonial courts, and in arbitration.
The 2013 training schedule coming to three locations:
- March 21-23 Chicago, IL
- September 19-21 Atlanta, GA
- December 12-14 Las Vegas, NV
- Customized in-house training also available. Please inquire.
Price for attending the Bootcamp is $1,755 for members and $1,950 for non-members. Early registration discounts are available. In addition, the AIEWE is offering a limited-time discount of $250 off any Bootcamp if registered and paid by February 28, 2013. To register, call Member Services at (800) 677-2009. Dates and locations are subject to change.
Date of Article: January 28th, 2013
Citation:
Forensic Magazine. AIEWE 2013 Expert Witness Bootcamp Schedule . Retrieved January 28, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/aiewe-2013-expert-witness-bootcamp-schedule?et_cid=3061739&et_rid=515363537&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.forensicmag.com%2fnews%2faiewe-2013-expert-witness-bootcamp-schedule
Biometrics for National Security and Law Enforcement: Training Summit 2013
As technology continues to advance and national security remains at the forefront of discussion, it comes as no surprise that biometrics is a hot topic. The ability for scientists to determine ways to accurately identify people based upon physical and behavioral characteristics has been achieved; however, improvements in equipment, interoperability and database accuracy are essential. Biometrics is key to our nation’s intelligence and security efforts in the fight against terrorism. Establishing an individual’s identity with certainty provides our military personnel an immediate edge and aids our national security capabilities.
Key Areas of Discussion Will Include:
- An In-depth Workshop Day Focusing on Secure Interagency Information Sharing
- Exploring Biometrics strategies and Acquisition Efforts
- Examining I.D. Verification Through Diverse Tracked Sessions on DNA, Fingerprint, and Facial/Iris Recognition Analysis
- Uncovering Requirements for Cost Effective Biometric Solutions
- Discussing Biometric Capabilities on a National and Local Law Enforcement Scale
At IDGA’s Biometrics for National Security and Law Enforcement you will have the exclusive opportunity to interact, network, and learn from leading representatives from military, government agencies, and private industry
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 008 – 012413 – The Polygraph Process
The forensicweek.com Show is airing Episode 008 this Thursday evening, January 24, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST), discussing the “Truth and Lies of the Polygraph.” This show is Part II of the series of episodes where we will discuss the polygraph (commonly incorrectly referred to as a lie detector) and focus on the polygraph process that includes the physiology, psychology, and instrumentation of the polygraph. So join host, Tom Mauriello, former federal polygraph examiner, and the rest of the forensicweek.com team and learn the “real” truth about this investigative technique for seeking the truth. Watch the show LIVE or view it at your convenience after the show is aired. Just GO TO www.forensicweek.com or directly to http://www.youtube.com/forensicweek/.
