The JFK Assassination Reexamined

To this day, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy continues to haunt and fascinate the American public. In wake of the 50^th anniversary of President Kennedy’s unfortunate passing, Duquesne University’s Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law will be hosting a symposium for legal, medical, forensic, and investigations experts to reexamine the evidence. The symposium aims to educate students and professionals about the details of this historic event and will examine the importance of continued study on this “cold-case murder.” It will be held October 17th through the 19th.

For more information on the event, including agenda, speakers, and registration, click here!

Citation: Fuoco, M. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Symposium to analyze evidence in JFK’s death. Retrieved October 10, 2013 from http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/symposium-to-analyze-evidence-in-jfks-death-706519/.

[Abstract written by Emily McGowan, ForensIQ Intern]

Baby Hope Finds Its Mother

DNA has linked the “Baby Hope” case to a mother. In 1991, a body was found on the side of the Henry Hudson Parkway. The body was badly abused and was not in good condition. Back in 2007, investigators exhumed the body in order to retrieve DNA evidence, but were not able to. In 2011, after many advances in DNA technology, they were able to retrieve a profile from the body. After a tip over the summer a person was matched to the case, and after DNA tests, was found to be the mother. This is an interesting case because it shows how much DNA technology has advanced in the only 4 years, from ’07 to ’11.

Full Article Here!

Citation

Press, A. (2013, October 8). NYPD: Mother in ‘Baby hope’ cold case found using DNA; cooperating with
authorities. Retrieved from ABC15 website: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/national/
nypd-mother-in-baby-hope-cold-case-found-using-dna-cooperating-with-authorities

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

Television to Real Life: Innovations in DNA Analysis Devices

Fiction is slowly becoming a reality for forensic investigations. Television shows like CSI solve crimes in forty minutes, analyzing DNA at a remarkable speed to aid police in pinning the culprit to the scene of the crime. Yet, in reality, it can take weeks to process DNA evidence. However, Dr. Frederic Zenhausern, a bioscience professor at the University of Arizona, has created a portable DNA analyzer that can be directly transported to the crime scene to analyze the evidence in a few hours, rather than a few weeks. The goal of the printer-sized device, MIDAS, will be to aid police in speeding up the judicial process and making arrests quicker arrests.

For the full article, click here!

Citation: Liriano, K. Downtown Devil. Bioscience professor presents portable, speedy DNA identification system at Science Center. Retrieved October 10, 1013 from http://downtowndevil.com/2013/10/07/48697/bioscience-professor-presents-portable-speedy-dna-identification-system-at-science-center/.

[Abstract written by Emily McGowan, ForensIQ Intern]

Crime Scene? There’s an App For That!

Currently, the Forensic Institute for Research and Education is seeking active duty law enforcement officers to be the beta testers for a newly developed app for processing crime scenes. The app, available to iPhone and Android users, is called the Checklist App for Scene Investigation (CASE). Its purpose is to provide a more effective way for first responding officers to document a crime scene. The Terms of Use for the app state that the app is not intended to replace any crime scene protocol, but rather, it is intended to enhance the processing ability. The beta testing requires 30 day use of the app beginning in October.

If you are an interested officer, know an interested officer, want to know more information, or are ready to register to be a beta tester for this app, please visit the website here!

Citation:

FIRE is Seeking Beta Testers for Checklist App for Scene Examination (CASE). In Middle Tennessee State University. Retrieved September 26, 2013, from http://www.mtsu.edu/fire/app%20beta%20test.php.

[Abstract written by Alex Mitzel, ForensIQ Update Reporter]

A Second Chance, After the Death Penalty

A man put to death by the death penalty in Texas is having his case re-looked at. Cameron Todd Willingham was executed for the deaths of his three daughters in a fire in 1991. A phony testimony has come to light and now, investigators are checking out the case one more time. Not only was the testimony used against Willingham false, but the arson investigation that went on during the case was found to have “erroneous forensic analysis” which was “ the basis for Willingham’s conviction,” says author Bob Ray Sanders in his article on the “Star-Telegram” website. There is a call from the Innocence Project to reinvestigate the case.

For the whole article, click here!

Citation

Sanders, B. R. (2013, October 1). Further investigation needed in case of executed man.

     Star-Telegram. 

[Abstract written by Karl "Kip" Zenowich, Forensiq Intern]

DNA Evidence Finds a Link Between California Cases

While the case is not solved, police have linked DNA from a murder earlier in the year to a 10 year old rape case. An interesting account is brought to you off of crimevoice.com as they describe a murder in February. The murder case apparently had evidence collected in the same area as where the rape from 2003 had occurred. The DNA was from the rape case had been collected and put into the FBI’s database, and was matched to the DNA collected from the murdered person, Sylvia Mark Flores. Because of simple DNA matching, a criminal who eventually will be caught will be charged with two counts of criminal activity, most likely putting him or her away for a nice long time.

For the full article, click here!

Citation

Brown, L. (2013, September 16). Cold case assault connected to early 2013 murder.

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

The Future of DNA in the Fight Against Human Trafficking

For years, law enforcement has had to fight to have DNA recognized as being reliable and valuable in court. Now that it is admissible and heavily trusted within the criminal justice realm, it is being used in many different contexts to fight different injustices. One territory in which DNA promises to be useful is within the human trafficking world. The DNA technology exists that would trace trafficking patterns, identify victims, pinpoint individuals and the extent of their involvement; however, just like in the early stages of overall DNA use, its acceptance is still minimal. Chris Asplen, forensic DNA technology consultant, addresses these issues within his article.

Read more about where DNA is headed in the fight against human trafficking here.

Source: forensicmag.com

Citation:

Asplen, C. Forensic Magazine. DNA and Human Trafficking. Retrieved October 2, 2013 from http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2013/08/dna-and-human-trafficking#.Ukz-YGTBK-U

[Abstract written by Alex Mitzel, ForensIQ Intern]

DNA Testing Time Cut in Half

The Hennepin County Sheriffs Office in Minnesota has recently reduced the time it takes them to test DNA… by half! Thanks to several contributing factors, the lab has been reaping many benefits from this decrease in processing time. The lab has been able to focus their DNA analysis efforts not only on the most recent DNA samples that they receive, but also on their backlog, including property crime samples. Sheriff’s Office’s Kip Carver said, “Violent crime in the county is down 38 percent. The crime lab is very much a part of that.” The Sheriffs Office attributes the advancement to the hiring of more lab techs, more thorough training, federal grant money, a new lab, and the teamwork of other federal agencies.

To read more about this progressive development, click here!

Source: forensicmag.com

Citation:

Prather, S. (October 1, 2013). Hennepin County crime lab cuts DNA testing time in half. In StarTribune. Retrieved October 3, 2013, from http://www.startribune.com/local/west/226040991.html.

[Abstract written by: Alex Mitzel, ForensIQ Intern]

Picking Up the Dead Ends

In Utah, the murder of Krystal Beslanowich appeared to have gone cold. That is, until the police utilized a vacuum, known as the M-Vac, that picked DNA off the murder weapon and obtained the full DNA profile that the police had been missing. The vacuum proved effective because it can gather more DNA than a traditional cotton swab from any surface area, including polyester, nylon, or in this case, a rock. However, forensic analysts note that while the tool was helpful in this case, a forensic vacuum is often used as the last resort for evidence collection because the vacuum will collect everything that ever touched the object being investigated.

To read the full article, click here!

Citation: McFall, M (September 25, 2013). The Salt Lake Tribune. Forensic vacuum was key to solving Utah cold-case murder. Retrieved October 3, 2013 from http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/56919086-78/dna-simpson-bonner-amp.html.csp.
[Abstract written by Emily McGowan, ForensIQ Intern]

ForensicWeek.com Show – Airing Episode 35 – “Unlocking the Door to Forensic Locksmithing”

The ForensicWeek.com Webcast Show is airing Episode 35, “Unlocking the Door to Forensic Locksmithing.” LIVE this Thursday, Oct. 3rd 7PM to 8PM (EST). Forensic locksmithing is the examination of a lock or other security device using scientific methods to determine if and how the device was opened, neutralized, or bypassed.  This valuable field can make the different to determine the capability and opportunity a suspect may have had to commit a crime.    Join Host, Tom Mauriello, and guest, Steven Mauriello (the name is no coincidence), as they present a topic of discussion that openings the door for viewers to better recognize the ability of a locksmith to close your case.  JUST GO TO www.forensicweek.com to view the show LIVE, or watch any of the previous shows at your convenience.  Thank you for watching!

Sink Your Teeth into this Debate over Forensic Dentistry

Forensic odontology has arisen as a potent controversy among criminal justice professionals on whether or not the practice should even continue. The Innocence Project, a group that aims to exonerate wrongfully convicted people with the use of DNA evidence, claims that forensic odontology is a “junk science,” and advocate for the abandonment of the practice. Along with the Innocence Project, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) questions the validity of this forensic technique. In a paper published by NAS four years ago, they concluded that there is a “lack of valid evidence to support many of the assumptions made by forensic dentists during bite mark comparisons.” On the other side of the debate, Dr. Gregory Golden argued that bite mark evidence has led to multiple solid convictions, including that of serial killer Ted Bundy. He goes on to say that bite marks can also be useful in identifying age, victims of mass casualties, and to spot child abuse. Although limited scientific studies exist to support the claims of forensic dentists, Golden persists that forensic odontologists offer an accurate analysis up to 98% of the time.

To pick a side of the debate and learn more, click to read the full article here!

Citation: Stroud, M. The Verge. Biting Controversy: Forensic Dentistry battles to prove it’s not “junk science.” Retrieved September 26, 2013 from http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/25/4770070/biting-controversy-forensic-dentistry-battles-to-prove-its-not-junk.

[Abstract written by Emily McGowan, ForensIQ Intern]

Microscopic Criminal Catchers

A research facility in southeastern Texas has been investigating the use of bacteria as a new forensics tool. Entomologist, Sibyl Bucheli, was inspired by her work with insects, and thought, “If insects change through time, then so do bacteria…And if insects can be used, so can the bacteria.” The researchers at the facility believe microbes could offer endless possibilities in enabling police investigations. Among these possibilities include improving time-of-death estimates, determining cause of death, linking individuals to things they have touched, and concluding if a body was moved after death. Although the research remains in the early stages of development, with practical uses for the research years away, the scientists eagerly take on this challenge of microscopic investigative analysis.

To read the full article and listen to the NPR broadcast, check out the link here!

Citation: Stein, R. NPR. Could Detectives Use Microbes To Solve Murders? Retrieved September 25, 2013 from http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/09/23/219375086/could-detectives-use-microbes-to-solve-murders.

[Abstract written by Emily McGowan, ForensIQ Intern]

Upcoming Fingerprint Training

On October 1, 2013 there will LIVE online fingerprint training provided by RTI International (Research Triangle Institute). Conveniently, there are two different classes being offered at two different times, so for those you who want to observe both – you can! “Latent Fingerprints: Developing Methods and New Technology” will be broadcast at 9 AM, and Fingerprint Identification: Reliability and Accuracy” will be broadcast at 1 PM. Registration is open now.

You can follow this link and scroll down to the title of the training you want to register for!

[Abstract written by Alex Mitzel, ForensIQ Update Reporter]

Forensic Science Exhibit to Teach “Real-World Forensics”

Recently, a traveling forensic science exhibit debuted at the Sciencenter in New York. The “Crime Lab Detective Unit” exhibit was developed at The Museum of Discovery in Arkansas and was then transported to New York for the unveiling on September 13^th.   A spokesperson for the Sciencenter explains that the exhibit is designed to demonstrate what “real-world forensics” is like to the public in order to diminish that CSI effect.  Participants are given the option of a short or long version of the burglary investigation that they are being enlisted to help solve. Then, they are taken through a series of workshops that include interviews, fingerprinting, lab testing, and much more.  Ultimately, the “investigators” will offer their determination of the guilty party before finding out if they successfully solved the case.

For more information on this exhibit, please check out the article here

Citation:

Barrett, E. (September 18, 2013). Sciencenter sets up a forensic science exhibit. In Ithaca Times. Retrieved September 25, 2013, from http://www.ithaca.com/family_and_health/sciencenter-sets-up-a-forensic-science-exhibit/article_8aa35ff4-209b-11e3-a84d-001a4bcf887a.html.

[Abstract written by Alex Mitzel, ForensIQ Update Reporter]