NFSTC launches YouTube channel
The National Forensic Science Technology Center has just launched a new YouTube channel that contains recorded conferences, lectures, and technology transition workshops for forensic science practitioners. With over 380 videos ranging from one minute to over an hour, this new “treasure trove of information” provides access to presentations from some of the world’s leading forensic science experts. Viewers can subscribe to the channel to get notified each time a new video is uploaded and it’s all available for free.
Link to NFSTC YouTube channel.
Date of Article: January 10th, 2013
[Abstract by Mark Lombard, ForensIQ Intern, January 15th, 2013]
Citation
National Forensic Science Technology Center . NFSTC launches YouTube channel. Retrieved January 15, 2013, from http://www.nfstc.org/nfstc-launches-youtube-channel/
Houston ahead of curve in forensic science
ATF Firearm Serial Number Restoration Training
The National Institute of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms are offering a free course in serial number restoration for those currently working as a firearms/toolmark examiner or trainee in a forensic laboratory. This is an advanced and technical 3-day class offered throughout the country that supports the identification and tracing of firearms recovered in criminal investigations. Also, the course will provide students with hands-on training, utilizing various methods to raise severely damaged or obliterated serial numbers from firearms. (NOTE: Prospective students must provide documentation verifying that they perform restorations for their department.)
Three sessions are scheduled at:
- Scottsdale Police Department, Scottsdale, Ariz., February 26-28, 2013
- Illinois State Police, Chicago, Ill., March 12-14, 2013
- National Laboratory Center, Ammendale, Md., July 16-18, 2013
More information about this course.
NIJ Forensic Toxicology Training
RTI International, with funding from NIJ, is offering new online forensic toxicology courses.
All three courses are free and a variety of continuing education credits are available for each:
- Fundamentals of Sample Preparation Used in Forensic Toxicology
- Fundamentals of Chromatography used in Forensic Toxicology
- Fundamentals of Mass Spectrometry Used in Forensic Toxicology
More information on RTI forensic toxicology courses.
For a list of all NIJ funded courses click here.
DOJ Issues Report on Campus Sex Crime Investigations
The U.S. Department of Justice, aided by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and others, has recently released a report titled Promoting Effective Criminal Investigations of Campus Sex Crimes. The report provides college administrators and law enforcement officials recommended tools for investigations of campus sex crimes, as well as various creative approaches for training and educating students beyond the standard orientation sessions that gloss over important issues. The recommended investigative tools include templates for communicating with victims and offenders, checklists for the initial response to an incident, and written materials for victims on what to do and types of available assistance. Although these investigative tools and procedures are not required, they can aid administrators and campus safety agencies in strengthening campus awareness, victim assistance efforts, and investigations of campus sex crimes.
Date of Article: January 8th, 2013
[Abstract by Mark Lombard, ForensIQ Intern, January 14th, 2013]
Citation
Barran, P. Barran Liebman LLP – Labor and Employment Law Firm . DOJ Issues Report on Campus Sex Crime Investigations.Retrieved January 14, 2013, from http://www.barran.com/display-alert.asp?AlertID=175
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 006 – Forensics in the High Schools
The forensicweek.com Show is airing Episode 006 this Thursday evening, January 10, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST), discussing Forensic Sciences being taught in our high schools. Special guests are, high school teachers from Howard and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland: Emily Moore, Roosevelt HS; Terri Bradford, Riverhill HS; Susanne Hughes, Reservoir HS and one of her students, Whitney Ceverino; and return guest, Dr. Jay Tobin, Stevenson University. So join host, Tom Mauriello and the forensicweek.com cast and learn the “real” facts about how forensic sciences is being taught at the high school level; what the students are learning; how they need to prepare for college; and who are the talented teachers who quickly mastered the art of teaching this 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/ .
Forensic scientists need skeletons to train – but they’re down to bare bones
Heavy increases in the need for forensic science courses in unison with strict laws governing human tissue use and legislation repatriating historic remains have left universities struggling to provide actual remains for study and practice. In result, forensic science students are becoming more and more dependent on technology to provide hands-on experience. A British company named Anthronomics is working with computer game developers to alleviate this need by designing new software that creates 3D digital images from scans of existing skeletal collections. These scans can then be used by universities that, as Dr Piers Mitchell, President of the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteroarcheology, says “do not have well established archaeological collections and may not be connected to a medical school.” Many students currently rely on studying remains from Anglo-Saxon times or on plastic casts, but as skeletal remains are returned and universities look for a cheaper alternative, 3D images may be the best substitute.
Date of Article: January 4th, 2013
[Abstract by Mark Lombard, ForensIQ Intern, January 8th, 2013]
Citation
Brown, J. The Independent The Independent | News . Forensic scientists need skeletons to train â but theyâre down to bare bones – Science – News – The Independent. Retrieved January 8, 2013, from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/forensic-scientists-need-skeletons-to-train–but-theyre-down-to-bare-bones-8439073.html
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 005 – Computer Forensics and Cyber Security
The forensicweek.com Show is airing Episode 005 this Thursday evening, January 3, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST). Special guest, Paul Woodie, Computer forensics Expert, will be discussing how computers have become tools of the trade for today’s criminals in the form of identity theft; viruses; cyber intrusions into critical infrastructures; and cyberharassment, stalking and pornography. This highly technical field of science and engineering has evolved into a skill set that requires highly technical analysis to uncover the evidence needed to successfully investigate these cases . So join host, Tom Mauriello and the forensicweek.com cast and learn the “real” facts about computer forensics and cyber security. 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/ .
26th Annual FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY COURSE – JUNE 3-7, 2013
This annual course is sponsored by the National Museum Of Health and Medicine; Maryland Office of Chief Medical Examiner; the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System; and the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. Forensic anthropology is concerned with the scientific recovery, analysis and identification of human remains in the medicolegal context. Forensic pathologists, death investigators, forensic dentists, attorneys and other specialists engaged in multi-disciplinary forensic investigations will find this course an excellent survey of forensic anthropology. Marilyn London, Forensic Anthropologist and special guest on The forensicweek.com Show, Episode 002, is one of the faculty presenting at the course. ForensIQ’s, Tom Mauriello attended the course last year in 2012, and found it to be valuable and well presented. Lots of hands-on lab sessions with lectures that provide the theoretical and methodological basis of human osteology and introduction of applications used by anthropologists in their work. See more information and how to register.
NIST and Dutch Agency Team to Improve Forensic Science
On November 29, 2012, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NF) forged partnership to promote the advancement of technologies, methods, practices and standards in the field of forensic science. These two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the recent event, Forensics@NIST 2012, in which is held at NIST headquarters in Gaithersburg, Maryland. They agreed to work together through focusing on such areas as research and development in forensic science, standards, education, training, and ethical practices. This will help to improve the accuracy and reliability in forensic science in the United States and Netherlands.
Source: Forensic Magazine
Date of Article: December 13, 2012
[Abstract by David Miller, ForensIQ Intern, December 19, 2012]
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 004 – Forensic Chemistry and Stevenson University Forensic Sciences Program
Want to learn about the role of Forensic Chemistry in a criminal investigation? Want to hear about a new forensic sciences program at Stevenson University, Baltimore County, MD? Then tune in to “forensicweek.com,” this evening, Dec. 20, 2012 at 7:00 PM. Listen to “Real” science from a “Real” Forensic Chemist and Professor of Forensic Sciences, Dr. John “Jay” Tobin. This will be Episode 004 of the webcast show, forensicweek.com. The viewers are growing and the excitement is contagious. Watch it LIVE, or visit the forensicweek.com website and view achieved shows. Click here: http://www.youtube.com/forensicweek/
County detective develops 3D crime-scene animation
When at a crime scene, detectives record measures from all angles so they can explain scientifically how the crime took place. However, once detectives are in the courtroom they have to explain to a jury their findings and with the help of two-dimensional photographs they can explain the events a little better. However, juries often need more visual presentations to truly understand what took place. Then want more then just explanations and photographs and Berks County Detective Albert Schade discovered that he can use a free computer program to create a 3D model of a crime scene, all from the measurements and crime scene sketches. With that 3D model, Schade made some modifications to gaming software allowing him to virtually take the viewer into the scene using a computer mouse. Schade stated, “If I want to walk a jury through a crime scene I really can’t do it with animation because they’re all looking through one camera angle,” “Having an interactive way to walk through things and talk to people while doing it is very helpful.”
[Abstract by David Miller, ForensIQ Intern, December 19, 2012]
Citation
Henshaw, Steve. “County Detective Develops 3-D Crime-scene Animation.” Reading Eagle. N.p., 13 Dec. 2012. Web. 19 Dec. 2012.
Tonight on forensicweek.com
Tune-in this evening, Thursday, December 13, 2012 to episode 003 – when ForensIQ and host Tom Mauriello bring you another forensicweek.com webcast, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Simply click right here and watch the show LIVE or view the show recorded at your leisure: http://www.youtube.com/forensicweek/
This week’s show features special guest, Dr. Priya Benerjee (former student of Tom’s), Forensic Pathologist and Assistant Medical Examiner for the State of Rhode Island – who will be discussing the world of forensic pathology and how a medical examiner assists the police in their death investigation to determine the untimely manner, cause and time of death of a victim.
Host-Tom Mauriello will also be discussing his visit to the National Law Enforcement Museum warehouse and the CBS 60 Minute story broadcast this past Sunday on the subject of “False Confessions” and what causes them to happen.
What Lawyers and Judges Need to Know About Trace Evidence Examination
The scene of a crime frequently yields a large amount of trace evidence. Trace evidence is left when different objects contact one another. During a criminal investigation, trace evidence plays an essential role in establishing a connection between the crime scene, the victim, and the suspect. Trace evidence includes human hairs, synthetic fibers, gunshot residue, and paint. It is important for those unfamiliar with the science involved in trace evidence to understand the methods used to analysis said evidence, as well as the process involved in finding, construing, and testifying about the evidence.
The American Academy of Forensic will be holding their Annual Meeting taking place on February 18-23, 2013 in Washington, DC, where Gateway Analytical will be giving a presentation entitled, “What Lawyers and Judges Need to Know about the Science behind Trace Evidence Examination.” Higgs stated that this presentation “. . .will help attendees gain a general introduction and exposure to the scientific method employed in the analysis of trace evidence, as well as the conclusions that can be expected from the various types of trace evidence examinations.” In addition, the presentation will provide case studies in which trace evidence was vital in the investigation, as well as the trial. Assuring judges and lawyers understand the science behind trace evidence; will assure the jury understands the significance of the results.
Check out the full article here.
Date of Article: November 12, 2012
[Abstract by David Miller, ForensIQ Intern, December 5, 2012]
Citation
Higgs, Brittney. “What Lawyers and Judges Need to Known about the Science behind Trace Evidence Examination.” Gateway Analytical. 12 Nov. 2012. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 002 [Forensic Anthropology]
Tune-in this evening to episode 002 – when hosts Tom Mauriello and Kevin Dolan bring you another forensicweek.com webcast, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Simply click right here and watch the show LIVE or view the show recorded at your leisure: http://www.youtube.com/forensicweek/
This week’s show features special guest, Marilyn London, Forensic Anthropologist – who will be discussing the world of forensic anthropology – the recovery, description, and identification of human skeletal remains.
Forensic Magazine mentioned “forensicweek.com” in their newsletter yesterday, 12/6/2012 and posted an item about it on their website. You can see it here: http://www.forensicmag.com/news/forensicweekcom-webcast-show .
