Using Vegetation to Date Clandestine Graves

Mushrooms, aging roots, damaged wood, and other plants: all of these can be used to determine the critical component of postmortem interval (PMI) in clandestine grave investigations. If investigators are able to find the grave within 24 hours of death, pathologists can estimate the time of death. When dealing with shallow graves, forensic entomologists may be able to use insect succession and development to estimate PMI. For graves discovered beyond 24 hours of death, forensic anthropologists are called in to assist with estimating the PMI based on rate of decay and condition of the remains. Investigators must also be familiar with using biological matter, such as pollen, as a tool to estimate the season when a clandestine grave was created.

Link to full article.

Source: forensicmag.com

Citation:

Ward, J.S. Forensic Magazine. Using Vegetation to Date Clandestine Graves. Retrieved May 29, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/article/using-vegetation-date-clandestine-graves?et_cid=3281901&et_rid=515363537&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.forensicmag.com%2farticle%2fusing-vegetation-date-clandestine-graves&location=top

Free Crime Scene Webinar: Death Scene Checklist

For most death investigations, you start with a plain notebook and start writing. Wouldn’t it be easier to just fill in the blanks beginning with time assigned to the release of the crime scene? The Death Scene Checklist is designed to help investigators of crime scenes where a death has occurred. It covers bodies found in structures, water, vehicles and open areas, and it will put your investigation into a format where the information can be easily found. This information will also work as a reminder of what needs to be done, to get you thinking and to be more observant, and aid in the prosecution of the case. Class participants will be given a code to access the Death Scene Check List free of charge.

Join Forensicmagazine.com in their free webinar on Death Scene Checklists on Thursday, July 11th at 1 PM ET.

Register for free here.

Source: Forensicmag.com

The Science and Art of the Facial Reconstruction Process

Science and Art of Facial Reconstruction video

Museum Specialist Gay Malin provides a step-by-step description of how artists go about rebuilding the features of a long-dead person, based only on the shape of their skull. This video focuses on the reconstruction of facial features from a skull of a woman who died 300 years ago in Albany. Her remains were excavated from the cemetery associated with the Albany Almshouse (1826-1926). The video also provides interesting details on how the artist decides to mold unknowable features like ear shape and body fat measures.

Source: forensicmag.com

The ForensicWeek.com Webcast Show airing Episode #26 – Animal & Agricultural Forensic Services

The ForensicWeek.com Webcast Show is airing Episode #26 – Animal & Agricultural Forensic Services – tomorrow, Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST).  This is a LIVE rebroadcast of this show because of previous technical problems experienced with the original show that aired in April.  Guest, Dr. Gary Pusillo, from Marshalltown, Iowa, will talk about his research and forensic work investigating cases associated with uncovering how animal food products cause the poor health and sometimes death of all types of animals.  So join host, Tom Mauriello, and the rest of the ForensicWeek.com team and learn about this amazing forensic science.  Watch the show LIVE or view it at your convenience.  Just GO TO www.forensicweek.com

The ForensicWeek.com Webcast Show – featuring “Forensic Nursing – A Medical/Legal Profession”

The ForensicWeek.com Webcast Show is airing Episode 25 – featuring “Forensic Nursing – A Medical/Legal Profession,” tomorrow – Thursday, May 30, 2013, at 7:00 P.M.  Distinguished members of the International Association of Nurses will be guests on the show broadcasting LIVE from their locations all over the world.  So join host, Tom Mauriello, and the rest of the ForensicWeek.com team as they discuss this important forensic science profession and learn about how the forensic nurse strengthens the investigative process.  Watch the show LIVE or view it at your convenience.  Just GO to www.forensicweek.com

The ForensicWeek.com Webcast Show is airing Episode 023

The ForensicWeek.com Webcast Show is airing Episode 023 – “Counterterrorism – A Response to the Boston Marathon Bombing,” tomorrow – Thursday, May 9, 2013, at 7:00 P.M.  Hear the truth from three counterterrorism experts, as they share their thoughts about what has happened in Boston and elsewhere in our homeland, and what we need to do to protect ourselves.  Guests include: Rusty Capps, Retired FBI Special Agent; Ray Semko, Retired Military Intelligence Special Agent; and LT. Col. Joe Ruffini, US Army (Retired).  So join host, Tom Mauriello, and the rest of the ForensicWeek.com team and be prepared to be educated and entertained.  Watch the show LIVE or view it at your convenience.  Just GO to www.forensicweek.com

NIST and NIJ Release New Handbook for Preserving Biological Evidence

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) have released a new handbook, The Biological Evidence Preservation Handbook: Best Practices for Evidence Handlers (NIST Interagency/Internal Report 7928). The handbook provides law enforcement agencies, forensic laboratories, and the judicial system with specific guidelines and recommends the best practices for preserving biological evidence. Written by experts in forensics, law enforcement, the sciences, legal scholars, medical personnel, and various professional organizations, the handbook provides valuable information to ensure quality preservation of evidence. The handbook is divided into five main sections: retention, safe handling, packing and storing, chain of custody and tracking, and disposition.

Source: Forensic Magazine

Read the full article here.

To view the handbook, click here.

Citation:  (2013). Forensic Magazine. New a-z guide for preserving biological evidence. Retrieved May 2, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/new-z-guide-preserving-biological-evidence

[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]

Expert Witness – The Role of a Computer Forensic Expert From Retention Through Trial

Yet another free webinar is being presented by Forensic Magazine, covering the important role for computer forensic investigators as they serve as an expert witnesses. The presentation will cover the attorney’s expectations from the case formation through the actual trial. Join the webinar to learn how to work effectively with attorneys, how to educate them as needed, and how to successfully perform your duties from the start of your investigation through the end of the trial.

Register free here and receive CPE credit.

Source: forensicmag.com

The ForensicWeek.com Show – Episode #22

The ForensicWeek.com Webcast Show is airing Episode 022 –“Criminal Justice Graduates Speak-Up.” They are University of Maryland Criminal Justice seniors preparing to graduate this month and go out into the real world looking for career opportunities.  We will hear from them as they “speak-up” reflecting on their past four years of study; intern experiences; and career aspirations.  So join host, Tom Mauriello, and the rest of the ForensicWeek.com team and meet some of our future professionals.  Watch the show LIVE or view it at your convenience.  Just GO to www.forensicweek.com

Department of Justice Updates Standards for Forensic Examination of Sexual Assault

The Department of Justice announced the revised version of the National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations (SAFE Protocol) on April 24, 2013. The SAFE Protocol is a guide for handling sexual assault medical forensic examinations in order to promote supportive exams for victims of rape and sexual assault. The revised version of the protocol has been updated to include numerous advances in technology. It also includes increased emphasis on victim-centered care and information on changes from the Violence Against Women Act of 2005. The revisions also include information on special need populations such as victims with disabilities or victims in the military. Additional information also involves drug and alcohol facilitated sexual assault and updated confidentiality and reporting procedures. Research has proven that examiners with the proper training who are using modern guides like the SAFE Protocol significantly increase evidence collection and the investigation of sexual assaults.

Source: Forensic Magazine and Department of Justice

Read the full article here.

Citation: (2013). Forensic Magazine. DOJ updates standards for forensic examination of sexual assault. Retrieved April 25, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/doj-updates-standards-forensic-examination-sexual-assault

[Abstract by ForensIQ, Andrea Williams]

Experts Speak to Advances in DNA Forensics at 2013 International Symposium on Human Identification

The 24^th International Symposium On Human Identification (ISHI) will be held October 7-10, 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia. The ISHI is the largest conference on DNA analysis for human identification. The symposium will include topics such as forensic DNA analysis, cell typing, expert witness testimony, and much more. This year’s keynote speaker, Kevin Davies, author of Cracking the Genome and The $1000 Genome and editor-in-chief of Bio-IT World and John Butler, National Institute of Standards and Technology fellow and group leader are two of the confirmed presenters for this symposium. The ISHI attracts more than 750 forensic DNA analysts from all over the world and gives attendees the opportunity to openly discuss and debate numerous topics in the forensic DNA analysis field.

Source: Forensic Magazine and Promega

Read the full article here.

To register and get more information on the agenda, click here.

Citation: (2013). Forensic Magazine. Experts speak to advances in DNA forensics at 2013 ISHI. Retrieved April 25, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/experts-speak-advances-dna-forensics-2013-ishi

[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]

The ForensicWeek.com Show – Episode 021 – “Forensics4Real – A Company and an IDea.”

The ForensicWeek.com Webcast Show is airing Episode 021 – Forensics4Real – A Company and an IDea – Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST).  Guest, John Paolucci, retired NYPD and President of Forensics4Real has integrated his vast experience in law enforcement to provide “one-stop-shopping” for expert witnesses, students and law enforcement with training and instruction on true to life applications for forensic evidence and crime scene processing. So join host, Tom Mauriello, and the rest of the ForensicWeek.com team and learn about Forensics4Real.  Watch the show LIVE or view it at your convenience.  Just GO TO www.forensicweek.com

West Virginia University Forensic Science Webinars

West Virginia University is offering free upcoming webinars on several very interesting topics in the forensic science field.

The first webinar, What Prosecutors and Defense Counsel Need To Know About Eyewitnesses, will be held June 11, 2013 at 1:30pm, lead by Associate Professor of Law at Widener University School of Law, Jules Epstein. Topics to be discussed include examination of eyewitness evidence, the psychology of perception and memory, the law governing eyewitness identification cases, assessing the strength of identifications, and the best practices for identification.

To register for this webinar, click here.

The second webinar, Reliability and Validity of Fire Science Examination, will be held July 31, 2013 at 12:00pm. Lead by Paul Bieber, director and founder of the Arson Research Project, this webinar will focus on the reliability and validity of fire investigation, application of the scientific method and emergence of a standard of care, and expectations and bias in fire investigation.

To register for this webinar, click here.

The third webinar, Fingerprint Fundamentals for the Legal Professional, will be held August 8, 2013 at 12:00pm. This webinar is an overview of fingerprint evidence and is geared towards helping attorneys understand the latent fingerprint process from the crime scene into the courtroom. Some topics to be discussed include latent print preservation and collection, chain of custody, friction ridge patterns, development techniques, and AFIS. West Virginia University instructor, Martin Overly, will lead this one-hour long webinar.

To register for this webinar, click here.

To read more about these courses and find out more information, click here.

Source: West Virginia University and Forensic Magazine

Citation: (2013). Forensic Science Initiative West Virginia University. Applications of forensic science for the legal professional—webinar series. Retrieved April 23, 2013, from http://fsi.research.wvu.edu/training/onsite-training/legal-professionals/webinar-series

[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Andrea Williams]

University of Maryland Places 3rd at Crime Scene Investigation Challenge

University of Maryland College Park students participated for the first time in Mount Saint Mary’s University’s ninth annual Crime Scene Investigation Challenge on Saturday, April 6^th, 2013. Professor Tom Mauriello and his student team of Criminal Justice majors, Tim Fromm, Mark Lombard, and Andrea Williams placed 3^rd out of 35 teams. The CSI Challenge is a crime scene competition where students from several universities both in the United States and Canada demonstrate their knowledge, skill, and proficiency in crime scene investigation and evidence collection. Students assume the roles of both a crime scene investigator and evidence technician and are presented with their crime scene scenario and given a limited amount of time to process the crime scene, collect pertinent evidence, and write all necessary reports. Students were required to perform crime scene tasks to include surveying and securing the scene, interviewing witnesses, crime scene sketching, crime scene photography, proper evidence collection, and thorough report writing. Law enforcement and forensics professionals and educators observed and critiqued the students throughout the crime scene scenario and recorded a final score for all teams at the conclusion of the event.