Departments of Justice & Defense Grants to Improve Forensic Identification

The Department of Justice and the Department of Defense have awarded assistant professor Catherine Grgicak in biomedical forensic sciences at Boston University School of Medicine, approximately $2.5 million to more accurately analyze DNA evidence at a crime scene. Grgicak and her collaborators are producing and testing methods that provide match statistics for DNA comparisons as well as determining the probability that a certain number of contributors give rise to biological evidence. For additional information, please go to the link below.

http://www.forensicmag.com/news/2014/10/doj-and-defense-grants-improve-forensic-identification

[Abstract written by Mercedes Quick, ForensIQ Intern, 10/29/14]

The ForensicWeek.com Webcast TV Show Airing Episode 65

LIVE this Thursday, October 16th at 7:00 P.M. (EST).  The topic this week, “Forensic Art Communication ¾ Making Lemonade out of Lemons.”  Return guest for this show is Sandie Enslow, Graphic Arts Coordinator and Forensic Artist for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.  Sandie introduced the art of forensic art communications during her first guest appearance in Episode 46.  This time she will be focusing on a criminal case she discussed in her first appearance, but could not elaborate on because it was still under active investigation.  See how Sandie transformed the memory and hand-sketchings of the rape victim into the exact likenesses of the two suspect who were ultimately arrested and convicted.  So join host, Tom Mauriello on www.ForensicWeek.com, brought to you by ForensIQ, Inc.  Thank you for watching!

UF partners with FL. Crime Scene Investigation Academy

The University of Florida has formed a three-year partnership with the Crime Scene Investigation Academy, which will provide training to their forensic science master’s program. Students will get hands-on experience with skeletal remain recovery, bloodstains pattern analysis and death investigation.  This training is a three credit course that will start in December with only 24 spots open.

http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_e8522e0a-2cd9-11e4-aa55-0019bb2963f4.html

[Abstract written by Mercedes Quick, ForensIQ Intern, 9/23/14]

ForensicWeek.com Webcast TV Show – Season 3 Beginning this Thursday – Sept. 4, 2014

ForensicWeek.com is beginning their third season and airing Episode 62 this Thursday, September 4th at 7:00 P.M. (EST). This season the show will be broadcast LIVE bi-weekly still on Thursdays from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (EST).  ForensicWeek.com will continue to broadcast a webcast TV show for its viewers that satisfies its mission, goal and vision principles.

Mission: To present REAL forensic related content by REAL forensic professionals;

Goal: To broadcast topics of interest valued by an international viewership;

Vision: Well informed practitioners; mentored students; and enlightened jury pools.

This season’s premier show will highlight the episodes already archived on the ForensicWeek.com – YouTube channel, and announce the future shows scheduled for the upcoming bi-weekly broadcasts.  So join host, Tom Mauriello and his student interns for this special premier show on www.ForensicWeek.com.

Thank you for watching!

Want to wear logo apparel with ForensicWeek.com, ForensIQ or UM-CCJS logos, then go to http://forensiq-inc.com/store/ and select from the ForensIQ Online Store.

Get Ahead With West Virginia University Summer Courses in Forensics

West Virginia has announced numerous upcoming courses as part of its Forensic Science Initiative. These courses will allow both forensic professionals and civilian practitioners to develop their skills on a variety of topics including, forensic photography, latent print development, paint evidence, blood presumptive testing, and fiber identification. All courses will take place at the Morgantown, West Virginia campus and upon completion; each participant will receive a certificate of completion.

Registration is open for the following WVU summer courses in June and July:

• Basic Crime Scene – June 2 – 6, 2014
• Latent Print Development – June 12 – 13, 2014
• Basic Crime Scene Photography for Law Enforcement – July 1 – 2, 2014
• Paint Evidence and the Forensic Laboratory – July 8 – 10, 2014
• Blood Presumptive Testing & Enhancement – July 10 – 11, 2014
• Identification of Natural and Man-made Fiber – July 15 – 17, 2014
• Characterization & Comparison of Dyed Fibers – July 22 – 24, 2014
• Introduction to Firearm Examination – July 28 – 30, 2014

Registration is free but attendees are responsible for travel and lodging costs.

Source: West Virginia University

[Abstract written by Noel Andres, ForensIQ Intern, 5/15/14]

ForensicWeek.com – Discusses Campus Law Enforcement

ForensicWeek.com – sponsored by ForensIQ, Inc. is airing Episode 61 this Thursday, May 15th at 7:00 P.M. (EST).  The topic for discussion – “Campus Law Enforcement – The Mission and Profession,” with guests Chief David Perry, Florida State University Police Department (PD) and President-Elect of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA); Chris Blake – Chief Staff Officer for the IACLEA; Chief Larry Volz, University of the District of Columbia PD; and Captain Robert Mueck, University of Maryland PD.   Learn about the role campus law enforcement plays in keeping our campuses safe and secure, as well as maintaining order to foster a positive environment for knowledge, research and learning.   Join host, Tom Mauriello and his distinguished guests LIVE and archived on www.ForensicWeek.com.  Thank you for watching!

Want to wear logo apparel with ForensicWeek.com, ForensIQ or UM-CCJS logos, then go to http://forensiq-inc.com/store/ and select from the ForensIQ Online Store.

University of Mississippi Forensic Chemistry Honored as Leading National Program

ForensicColleges.com has named the forensic chemistry program at the University of Mississippi one of the finest in the nation. U.S. News and World Report comprehensive surveys, reputation among professionals and peers, and cost and opportunities for experience rank the Forensic Chemistry program in the top 13. UM’s forensic chemistry program is the only one in the state and among only three forensic chemistry programs in the south and six nationally accredited by the Forensic Science Educations Programs Accreditation Commission.

The UM forensic chemistry program contains a demanding science-based curriculum that prepares graduates for versatile careers in forensics laboratories. Although the University of Mississippi only offers a B.S. in forensic chemistry, a major difference that sets this program aside from all others is that all students in the program are enrolled in a summer internship with a local criminal laboratory. Because of the hands-on experience, more than 70% of graduates find employment upon graduation, many of them working in local and federal crime labs.

Want to read more? Click here to view the entire article!

Source: University of Mississippi News

[Abstract written by Noel Andres, ForensIQ Intern, 5/8/14]

“Shooting Reconstruction: The 4 Elements of Trajectory” – Free Online Course

RTI International will be holding a free online course on Thursday May 22 at 1pm Eastern time. This course is called “Shooting Reconstruction: The 4 Elements of Trajectory”. It will be presented by Aaron Brudenell and will be approximately 70 minutes. He will discuss how the path of a bullet hole has 4 main elements that require measurement, estimation, or other determination where possible. This introduction to shooting reconstruction course will address these four elements independently and then assessed as a group in examples and case studies.

RTI International also offers free archived training that can be viewed at anytime.

Click here to register!

Click here to view free archived training

Source: RTI International

[Abstract written by Alicia Terrell, ForensIQ Intern, 050814]

Crime Scene Blood Impressions Web Course

Although they are not frequently found at crime scenes, blood impressions can be a very key piece of evidence as it can definitively link a person to a crime scene. Knowing the best way to analyze this type of evidence could be crucial in utilizing this type of evidence in the most effective way possible. RTI International is offering a free, on demand presentation of a webinar titled Florescence of Blood Impressions with Acid Yellow. The webinar is 90 minutes long and provides step by step demonstration and discussion, instructing on the use of acid yellow 7  for blood impressions.

Click here to register for the course.

[Abstract Written by Walter Tates, ForensIQ-Inc. Intern, 050814]

The ForensicWeek.com Show – “Cybercrime: Unraveling the Human Component” – Episode 60

Want to wear logo apparel with ForensicWeek.com, ForensIQ or UM-CCJS logos, then go to http://forensiq-inc.com/store/ and select from the ForensIQ Online Store.

Prosecution from Gun Buyback

There has been concern around endangering the anonymity factor in the gun buyback program. After Boston’s buyback multiple investigations are underway by police after guns turned in were suspected of being used in possible crimes. The spokesman for the Boston Police Department has stated “The success of the gun buyback isn’t measured in the number of arrests made or cases successfully prosecuted. It’s about getting guns off the streets and making our community safer.” More than 270 guns have been turned in to police. The mayors office stated participants giving guns will not be prosecuted for unlawful possession but their guns will be tested to determine if they were used in crimes. This could cause potential problems for some and deter others from wanting to participate.

Click here for full article

Click here to see below blog item where ForensIQ’s, Tom Mauriello comments on an ABC TV News story discussing this same issue.

Source: Boston Herald

[Abstract written by Alicia Terrell, ForensIQ Intern, 050114]

Gun Buy-back Programs – Do they Stop Crime or Reduce Accidental Deaths?

See this piece on ABC News, WMAR Channel 2 Baltimore, where Tom Mauriello, ForensIQ and University of Maryland Professor comments on gun buy-back programs and how they reduce accidental deaths more than crime.

Criminology Buffs Club At The University of Colorado Gives Students A Glimpse Of The Criminal Justice World

In the fall of 2012, students and faculty at University of Colorado formed the Criminology Buffs Club in order to inform students about the different career paths and opportunities in the field of criminal justice. Television shows and movies about crime scene investigation and law enforcement officers have given the public an inaccurate image of what goes on in the world of criminal justice. The goal of the 32-member Criminology Buff Club is to dispel some of these myths and provide students with a real-life understanding of the criminal legal system.

On April 7,2014 the Criminology Buffs Club hosted a Crime Scene Investigation competition for the students on the University Campus. The student teams were tasked with correctly and accurately collecting evidence from the staged scene as part of the event. The purpose the club’s organized events is to give students exposure to working professionals in the field of criminal justice and to give them real-life insight of what the duties of these professionals consist of.

Aside from the CSI competition, the Criminology Buffs Club additionally organizes multiple discussion panels for students interested in careers in Juvenile Justice, Criminal Justice, and Law Enforcement. Although students participating in these events may not investigate homicides or become criminologist in the future, the Criminology Buffs Club will continue to provide information about career options for these students.

Click here to view pictures of the CSI competition and to read more about the events hosted by the Criminology Buffs Club at the University of Colorado!

Source: Daily Camera

[Abstract written by Noel Andres, ForensIQ Student Intern, 4/17/14]

Forensic Class at Boy’s Latin School of Maryland Uses Maggots For Criminal Investigation

With talented faculty alongside, students at the Boy’s Latin School of Maryland learn the core values of courage, integrity and compassion while striving for academic and personal excellence. Jim Haluck, instructor of an honors forensic course at The Boy’s Latino School of Maryland, helps students examine the scientific techniques used by criminal investigators in the laboratory to solve crimes.

A new lab entitled Sarcophaga bullata, which deals with meat and maggots in an attempt to determine if drugs were used by a deceased human body, has recently made the news in the forensic world. Instructor Haluck explained, “The boys in honors forensic sciences are loading their test tubes with drug laced ground beef and larvae of Sarcophaga bullata flies. These flies lay eggs on deceased humans and can be used to determine time of death and any drug use by the deceased individual. After about three days of feeding on the drug-laced meat, the boys will extract the maggots and grind them to prepare their body fluids for thin-layered chromatography analysis. The samples taken from maggots will be compared to reference drug Rf values for identification.”

The forensic class at the Boy’s Latin School of Maryland places the students into the shoes of forensic entomologist, helping them obtain a better understanding of the work these professional provide to the field of forensic science.

Click here to read more about the Boy’s Latin School of Maryland and the Forensic Class!

Source: The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland

[Abstract written by Noel Andres, ForensIQ Intern, 4/17/14]