ForensicWeek.com Show “focuses” on Forensic Photography – The art of digital photography at the crime scene and for evidence identification and collection.

The ForensicWeek.com Show is broadcasting Episode 43, Thursday, December 12, 2013, 7PM to 8PM (EST). The topic this week “focuses” on Forensic Photography – The art of digital photography at the crime scene and for evidence identification and collection. Special guest Associate Professor Ted Robinson from The George Washington University’s Department of Forensic Science, an expert in the field and author of the book, “Crime Scene Photography.”  Want to “zoom-in” and learn more about the topic and the career field?  Then join host Tom Mauriello and his student interns at www.ForensicWeek.com.  As always – Thanks for watching.

SANE Education Guidelines Updated

For the first time the International Association of Forensic Nurses released their Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) education guidelines for free to the public. When an individual is sexually assaulted, if they go to a hospital, they have the option of having a medical examination. The role of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner is to collect evidence off the victim that could potentially be used for prosecuting a case. The goal of the organization in making the guidelines free to the public is in hope to “see a greater adoption of these education standards.”

To read the full article, click here!

Citation: (November 18, 2013) Forensic Magazine. International Association of Forensic Nurses Releases Updated 2013 Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Education Guidelines. Retrieved November 21, 2013 from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/2013/11/international-association-forensic-nurses-releases-updated-2013-sexual-assault-nurse-examiner-education-guidelines#.Uo56IMSsiyY.

[Abstract written by Emily McGowan, ForensIQ Intern]

Face-Reading Technology

Face-reading software is becoming more and more popular nowadays for many different reasons. Companies such as Affectiva and Emotient have developed technology that can read fleeting facial expressions and register the emotion. This software was developed over a 2.5 year period while studying 1.5 billion facially delivered emotions from individuals via webcam who consented to the study. Affectiva places heavy emphasis on getting consent before usage of the software so as not to rattle privacy concerns. Scientists and companies alike see this type of software leading future advances in different fields including police investigations, education, gaming, advertising, and medicine. It even introduces promise to aid autistic children in picking up facial clues.

Take a look at this fascinating article here!

Source: forensicmag.com

Citation:

Eisenberg, A. (November 30, 2013). When Algorithms Grow Accustomed to Your Face. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/01/technology/when-algorithms-grow-accustomed-to-your-face.html?_r=0

[Abstract written by Alex Mitzel, ForensIQ Intern]

The ForensicWeek.com Anniversity Show – Episode 42 – Fraud Examination and Investigation

The ForensicWeek.com Show is celebrating its first year anniversary by broadcasting Episode 42, Thursday, December 5, 2013, 7 PM to 8 PM (EST). The topic this week is Fraud Examination and Investigation.  “OH What a Tangled Web We Weave When First We Practice to Deceive?” – Sir Walter Scott.  The crime of fraud is a misrepresentation with an intent to deceive.   Professors Tom Coogan and Colin May from Stevenson University’s Forensic Studies Program, are experts and scholars in the fields of fraud investigation and white collar crime.  Want to learn more about the topic and the career field?  Then join host Tom Mauriello, his student interns and his special guests at www.ForensicWeek.com .  As always – Thanks for watching.

Computer Forensics Webinars

Forensicfocus.com currently has several archived computer forensics related webinars available on their site. The featured presentations, in general, appear to be about 30 minutes long, although some do range from 18 to 60 minutes. The reasonable lengths of the productions allow them to easily be incorporated into one’s daily schedule. Some of the featured webinars include “Finding Evidence in an Online World – Trends and Challenges in Digital Forensics”, “Mobile Forensics: MPE + Android Malware Detection”, and “Some Pitfalls of Interpreting Forensic Artifacts in the Windows Registry” to name a few.

To check out these webinars, visit the website here.

Source: forensicfocus.com

Citation:

Forensic Focus. Webinars. Retrieved November 20, 2013 from http://www.forensicfocus.com/webinars

[Abstract written by Alex Mitzel, ForensIQ Intern]

A New Cybercrime Lab

In an article from the Canberra Times out of Australia, the Australian Federal Police are receiving a new cyber forensics building that will be used to fight cybercrime. After an attack on the Police’s website, construction began on a $106 million dollar crime lab. The lab is being built with the specific purpose of detecting and fighting back against cybercrime. The lab will also hold facilities for “crime scene analysis, as well as firearms, fingerprints, criminalistics and identification sciences.” With a strong fight on cybercrime, this lab will be the beginning of a new age in cyber-forensics.

For the full article, click here!

Anderson, S. (2013, November 22). New forensics lab will help police take the fight to cyber
criminals. The Canberra Times.

[Abstract written by Karl “Kip” Zenowich, ForensIQ Intern]

ForensicWeek.com Show airing Episode 41 – “The Art and Science of Fingerprint Examination.”

The ForensicWeek.com Show is airing Episode 41 this Thursday, November 21, 2013, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (EST).  The topic for discussion is “The Art and Science of Fingerprint Examination.”  Learn about the significance of this physical evidence as a form of personal identification and crime scene presence.  Join Host, Tom Mauriello and special guest retired Maryland State Police Latent Fingerprint Examiner, Tim Ostendarp.  They will delve into the field of fingerprint examination and how technology has increased the value of latent fingerprints found at a crime scene.  Hear about a day in the life of a fingerprint examiner from a professional who began his career as a police officer and then moved into the crime lab seeking new challenges. Just click on www.ForensicWeek.com and be educated as well as entertained.  Thanks for watching.

Inaccurate Lab Results to Potentially Change Dozens of DUI Convictions

A recent crime laboratory audit in Orange County, Calif. uncovered a “human error” that affects 2,200 DUI cases over the past 6 months. One of the devices on one of the machines used to test for blood alcohol content was apparently calibrated incorrectly. This 0.003% error could render a 0.01% decrease in about 200 cases, bringing the results from 0.08% down to 0.07% which is below the legal limit. Some are expected to challenge their convictions due to this error while others are suspected accept their sentences believing that their BAC, although presently proven to have been legal at the time of analysis, would have been above the legal limit at the time of arrest.

To learn more, check out the article here.

Source: forensicmag.com

Citation:

Winton, R. Los Angeles Times. Lab error could affect hundreds of Orange County DUI cases. Retrieved November 13, 2013 from http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-oc-dui-20131111,0,899864.story#axzz2kLRNb4Cz

[Abstract written by Alex Mitzel, ForensIQ Intern]

The Omnivore Field Kit

It’s hard to get video evidence in today’s world. Only a few years ago, videotape evidence was used in many cases throughout the world. Now we have moved into the age of the Digital Video Recorder (DVR). In an article from policeone.com, an article from police and security news’ website goes through a few disadvantages to having the new DVR system as a system that gathers video recordings and then provides a solution. An example of a shortcoming is that some media storage devices’ connection ports that are being used to collect video evidence might be incompatible with other devices. The article states that sometimes these connection ports are broken or just the wrong type altogether. A solution from Ocean Systems is the Omnivore Field Kit. The kit is capable of connecting to any type of video device and capable of storing many uncompressed files of video evidence. In a very slim and portable case, the Omnivore Field Kit is available to make investigations with video evidence progress much smoother.

Read the full article here!

Ocean systems releases video acquisition field kit. (2013, October 2). Retrieved from Policeone.com website: http://www.policeone.com/police-products/investigation/computer-forensics/articles/6491797-Ocean-Systems-releases-video-acquisition-field-kit/

[Abstract written by Karl “Kip” Zenowich, ForensIQ Intern]

Digital Evidence Warrants

When executing a warrant for digital evidence, author John J. Barbara states in his article from forensicmag.com, one must execute the warrant within 10 days. However, he states, most investigators “have interpreted this to also mean that the forensic analysis of the digital devices must be completed within ten days after they are seized.” Barbara goes further to explain that there is no guideline that states one must do so. Barbara then talks about how many warrants are actually needed to go through computer evidence. This article is an interesting read for anyone learning about the legal side of obtaining search warrants and executing them.

For the full article, click here!

Citation

Barbara, J. J. (2013, October 29). Executing a warrant for digital evidence. Retrieved from Forensic Magazine website: http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2013/10/executing-warrant-digital-evidence#.UoTcYBpJOAg

[Abstract written by Karl “Kip” Zenowich, ForensIQ Intern]

ForensicWeek.com Show is airing Episode 40, “Computer Forensics and CyberCrime”

The ForensicWeek.com Show is airing Episode 40, “Computer Forensics and CyberCrime” Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, 7 PM to 8 PM EST.  Computer Forensics is a branch of digital forensic science pertaining to legal evidence found in computers and digital storage media.  Cybercrime includes traditional crimes conducted through the use of a computer and the Internet. For example; hate crimes, telemarketing and Internet fraud, identity theft, credit card account thefts, and child pornography are considered to be cybercrimes when a computer is involved.  Learn the truth about this topic from special guest, Retired Special Agent and Computer Forensics expert, Jim Christy.  So join host, Tom Mauriello and his student interns at www.forensicweek.com and view the show LIVE, or watch it later at your convenience with all previous ForensicWeek.com shows.  Thank you for watching!

College Students Get Involved to Solve Cold Case

Columbia College’s Cold Case Homicide class is getting the unique opportunity to work with law enforcement agencies to re-examine the 1992 murder case of an Eldon, Missouri man. The class, led by adjunct professor, Mike Himmel, will take another look at evidence to catch anything that investigators may have previously missed. Students will be applying their forensic skills in their brand new state-of-the-art science center. With the help of the students, evidence can be processed much faster than a handful of detectives could do on their own. In the past, the Cold Case Homicide class has aided in the discovery of Mary Nobles’ body, the conviction of her killer, John David Brown, and the identification of persons of interest in Carolyn Williams’ murder case.

To read more, click here.

Source: forensicmag.com

Citation:

Forensic Magazine. Columbia College Students Work to Solve Murder Cases Gone Cold. Retrieved October 30, 2013 from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/2013/10/columbia-college-students-work-solve-murder-cases-gone-cold#.UnFYnJTBJjk

[Abstract written by Alex Mitzel, ForensIQ Intern]

The ForensicWeek.com Show airing Episode 39, “The Science and Evidence of Alcohol Use & Abuse”

Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, 7 PM to 8 PM EST.  Learn from two experts who create the research that help determine the evidential standards for alcohol use and abuse— Dr. Ken Beck from University of Maryland School of Public Health, and Jim Fell, Pacific Institute, Alcohol, Policy and Safety Research Center.  Also on the show is return guest, Mark Zaid, Attorney, who defenses clients who have their own use of alcohol judged by security clearance standards.  So join host, Tom Mauriello and his student interns at www.forensicweek.com and view the show LIVE, or watch it later at your convenience with all previous ForensicWeek.com shows.  Thank you for watching!

Zombies and The Science of Dying

Zombies have taken over American popular culture as a beloved monster icon. From comedies to thrillers, zombies have attained media sensationalism to the recent generation of television viewers and movie goers.  At Rutgers, forensic scientist, Kimberlee Sue Moran created a zombie survival guide that proves that there is “really nothing to be afraid of.” Moran clarifies the science of dying, and demonstrates that upon death a zombie would be “too stiff or too sloshy” to chase humans. According to Moran, people’s fascination with death comes down to fear of the unknown and loss of control. Halloween acts a cultural mechanism to deal with this uncertainty and fear that death brings.

To read the full article, click here!

Citation: (October 14, 2013) Rutgers Today. Rutgers Forensic Scientist Shares Zombie Survival Guide. Retrieved October 31, 2013 from http://news.rutgers.edu/news/rutgers-forensic-scientist-shares-zombie-survival-guide/20131014#.UnO06PmsiyY.

[Abstract written by Emily McGowan, ForensIQ Intern]