Season 2 – The ForensicWeek.com Show – Airing Episode 33
The ForensicWeek.com Webcast Show is airing Episode 33 this Thursday, September 19th, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (EST). The show, “Bringing the Middle East and Terrorism into Focus,” will do just that with guest, Joseph Butta, Jr., an independent analyst and author who specializes in issues related to the Middle East — including the 3 great monotheistic religions which originated in this region of the world. Ray “The D*I*C*EMAN” Semko, a frequent guest of the show will also be on the panel to focus on how to counter the threat of terrorism. So join Host, Tom Mauriello and his team of student interns as they present a show that will give you the viewers a chance to better understand this explosive topic. GO TO www.forensicweek.com to watch the show LIVE, or at your convenience to watch this episode or any of the previous shows. Thank you for watching!
Government Crackdown on Polygraph Instructors
In order to send a “strong message” to individuals teaching methods on how to pass polygraph examinations, U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady sentenced Chad Dixon, a little league coach and polygraph instructor, to eight months in prison for teaching up to a hundred people, including sex offenders and government employees, how to defeat lie-detector tests. This case and its decision led to questions regarding the government’s campaign against instructors like Dixon. Among the debates were whether or not the government should continue its hunt for these offenders, and where the line was drawn between an individual’s first amendment rights to discuss how to approach the polygraph exam and the “crime of teaching someone to lie while undergoing a government polygraph.”
Check out the full article here!
Source: The Seattle Times
Citation:
Taylor, M. The Seattle Times. Indiana man gets 8 months for lie-detector fraud. Retrieved September 11, 2013, from http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2021772209_lyingpenaltyxml.html.
[Abstract written by Emily McGowan, ForensIQ Intern]
Facial recognition technology moving toward identifying almost anyone
In a real-time experiment, conducted by Carnegie Mellon University’s CyLab Biometrics Center, scientists used digital mapping to turn and enhance the face of “Suspect 2” from the Boston Bombings in order to match it with faces from a database. The researchers did not know how well they had done until authorities identified the suspect as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the younger, surviving brother and a student at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and they were able to compare the enhanced facial image with Dzhokhar’s face. The technology is still in it’s early stages of development, but cyber experts believe it is only a matter of years — and research dollars — until computers are able to identify almost anyone instantly. Computers could then use electronic data to immediately construct a complete dossier about the person, pulling much of the compiled information from online profiles that many people publish themselves.
Check out the full article here.
Source: forensicmag.com
Citation:
Conte, A. Tribune-Review. Facial recognition technology moving toward identifying almost anyone. Retrieved May 28, 2013, from http://www.triblive.com/news/allegheny/3904286-74/technology-face-center#axzz2TpeVbN9R
Boston Plotters Said to Initially Target July 4 for Attack
During the F.B.I. questioning of the surviving suspect of the Boston Marathon bombings, interrogators discovered that he and his brother originally considered suicide attacks and strikes on the Fourth of July. According to Dzhokhar, he and his older brother, Tamerlan finished building the pressure-cooker bombs and other homemade explosives in their Cambridge, MA apartment earlier than they had expected. This led them to accelerate their attack plans to take place on April 15, which is also known as Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts. The F.B.I found this new information from Dzhokhar, when trying to determine if Tamerland’s wife, Katherine Russell, had any part in the plot or in aiding the brothers as they evaded authorities. According to law enforcement authorities, Russell’s fingerprints and DNA do not match those found on the recovered evidence.
Source: forensicmag.com, and The New York Times
[Abstract by ForensIQ Intern – Mark Lombard]
Citation:
Schmitt, E., Mazzetti, M., Schmidt, M., & Shane, S. (2013, 7). The New York Times. Boston Plot Said to Initially Target July 4.Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/us/Boston-bombing-suspects-planned-july-fourth-attack.html?_r=0
Photonics-enabled Tools Help Sort Clues in Boston Bombing
Photonics-based technology could play a central role in improving efficiency of investigations and possibly help prevent similar incidents to the Boston Bombings. Today, advances have reached the point to where it can identify suspects simply by their gait caught on camera, to identify shifting emotional states by calculating their pulse, and even identify explosives from as much as 100 meters away. With the huge array of cell phones with cameras being used by the public, the amount of video and image surveillance available to investigators of domestic terrorism, such as the Boston bombings, has increased. This image and video evidence can then be integrated into a huge panorama of the scene of an event, and can make faces and actions more recognizable when enhanced in the lab. As was the case in the recent Boston bombings, where surveillance, private, and even cell phone images and video sources were complied by investigators to identify the two male suspects.
Check out the full article here.
[Abstract by ForensIQ Intern – Mark Lombard]
Citation:
Burkhart, F. Forensic Magazine. Photonics-enabled Tools Help Sort Clues in Boston Bombing. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/photonics-enabled-tools-help-sort-clues-boston-bombing?et_cid=3211923&et_rid=515363537&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.forensicmag.com%2fnews%2fphotonics-enabled-tools-help-sort-clues-boston-bombing&location=top
Suspects Seemed Set for Attacks beyond Boston
Now that the second of the two male suspects from the Boston Marathon bombings has been detained, the small arsenal of guns, ammunition, and explosives found in their possession have led authorities to believe that they likely planned several other attacks. More details have been uncovered as to the types of weapons used by Tsarnaev and his older brother, Tamerlan, and the designs of the bomb have been linked to a terrorist manual. United States officials have said that the two suspects had acted alone in the bombings last Monday, but they are still searching for any clues or links to anyone who may have trained or inspired them to the ghastly assault near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.
Source: forensicmag.com and The New York Times
[Abstract by ForensIQ Intern – Mark Lombard]
Citation:
Schmitt, E. The New York Times. Investigators Dig for Roots of Bomb Suspects’ Radicalization. Retrieved April 23, 2013, from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/22/us/boston-marathon-bombing-suspects-hoped-to-attack-again.html?_r=0
NYPD and Microsoft Create Crime-fighting Tech System
A new crime-fighting technology software is allowing the New York Police Department to instantaneously pool data from the department’s copious arrest records, emergency calls, over 3,000 citywide security cameras, license plate readers and portable radiation detectors, and assembles it into an easy-to-use and interactive map. The Domain Awareness System, otherwise known as “the dashboard,” began development back in 2009 when the NYPD approached Microsoft Corp. to build a software that would mine data for the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative, a network of private and public cameras and other tools monitored by the department’s counter terrorism bureau. From there, officers worked directly with programmers to create a system that is truly “by cops for cops.” The system is currently only being utilized by the NYPD, but Microsoft vice president in charge of program management, Dave Mosher, said that they are looking to bring the technology to smaller municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and companies that handle major sporting events.
[Abstract by ForensIQ Intern – Mark Lombard]
Citation:
Long, C. (2013, 20). Forensic Magazine. NYPD, Microsoft Create Crime-fighting Tech System . Retrieved February 26, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/nypd-microsoft-create-crime-fighting-tech-system?et_cid=3103514&et_rid=515363537&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.forensicmag.com%2fnews%2fnypd-microsoft-create-crime-fighting-tech-system
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 010 – Gun Control vs. Gun Safety
The forensicweek.com Show is airing Episode 010 – Gun Control vs. Gun Safety – tonight, Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST). A panel of distinguished guests will discuss the issues related to the gun violence recently terrorizing the country and causing the loss of innocent lives. Guests will include a mother who lost her 12 year old son in an accidental hand gun incident and is a “Mother on a Mission,” to help stop gun violence; a clinical psychologist, author, professor and retired corrections executive, who will delve into the criminal mind of those who use weapons as tools of aggression; a Forensic Scientist and Professor, who has examined weapon related evidence for many years; and a security and counterintelligence expert, retired special agent, and professional public speaker, who has dedicated his career to countering the threat to our national security. So join host, Tom Mauriello, and the rest of the forensicweek.com team and learn the “real” truth about this explosive 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/.
Knobbly Knee Identification
Forget digital fingerprints, iris recognition, and voice identification, the next big thing in biometrics could be your knobbly knees. New research has shown that our kneecaps are just as unique to identifying us as individuals, as fingerprints and other body parts are. Computer scientist of Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI, Lior Shamir has now demonstrated that a knee scan based on an MRI could be used to quickly register and identify people in a moving queue, such as an airport checkpoint. This approach has been tested and achieved an accuracy of around 93 percent. According to Shamir, “deceptive manipulation [of kneecaps] requires an invasive and complicated medical procedure,” which is more “resistant to spoofing” when compared with methods for altering a face, fingerprints, or an iris.
[Abstract by ForensIQ intern, Mark Lombard]
Source: Inderscience Publishers
Citation:
Forensic Magazine. Knobbly Knee Identification . Retrieved January 29, 2013, from http://www.forensicmag.com/news/knobbly-knee-identification?et_cid=3057073&et_rid=515363537&linkid=http%3a%2f%2fwww.forensicmag.com%2fnews%2fknobbly-knee-identification
Biometrics for National Security and Law Enforcement: Training Summit 2013
As technology continues to advance and national security remains at the forefront of discussion, it comes as no surprise that biometrics is a hot topic. The ability for scientists to determine ways to accurately identify people based upon physical and behavioral characteristics has been achieved; however, improvements in equipment, interoperability and database accuracy are essential. Biometrics is key to our nation’s intelligence and security efforts in the fight against terrorism. Establishing an individual’s identity with certainty provides our military personnel an immediate edge and aids our national security capabilities.
Key Areas of Discussion Will Include:
- An In-depth Workshop Day Focusing on Secure Interagency Information Sharing
- Exploring Biometrics strategies and Acquisition Efforts
- Examining I.D. Verification Through Diverse Tracked Sessions on DNA, Fingerprint, and Facial/Iris Recognition Analysis
- Uncovering Requirements for Cost Effective Biometric Solutions
- Discussing Biometric Capabilities on a National and Local Law Enforcement Scale
At IDGA’s Biometrics for National Security and Law Enforcement you will have the exclusive opportunity to interact, network, and learn from leading representatives from military, government agencies, and private industry
Police Adopt Cellphone Forensic Technology
Local law enforcement agencies will now be equipped with mobile forensic technology in which allows them to instantly access information on cell phone calls, text messages, and photos of those suspected to be involved in criminal activity. The device is called Cellebrite and will significantly assist officers during investigations. This device allows officers to receive information immediately, which previously took weeks to receive. Officer Joe Harris, member of the FBI Cyber Crime Task Force, said “the equipment will extract and decode digital evidence and download it using software into a readable report. He said the information can be obtained on existing, hidden and deleted phone data, including call history, text messages, contacts, images and geotags” (Ellis). The device will be of assistance in various types of crimes and significantly helps in seizing, securing, and analyzing digital evidence. Furthermore, it will be useful in the early stages of investigations and will be of assistance in the courtroom. “According to Cellebrite, the device works on 3,000 phone models and even can defeat password protections. The analyzer allows visualization of both existing and deleted locations on Google Earth, as well, and location information from GPS devices and image geotags can be mapped on Google Maps” (Ellis). You can learn more about this technology by going to www.cellebrite.com.
Check out the full article here.
[Abstract by David Miller, ForenIQ Student Intern, December 5, 2012]
Date of Article: November 12, 2012
Citation
Ellis, Cynthia M. “Police Adopt Cellphone Forensic Technology.” Officer.com. N.p., 12 Nov. 2012. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.
“Intel chief wants more lie detector tests to deter leaks”
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper wants more government employees to be subject to an enhanced lie detector test as a deterrent to leaking classified information, an intelligence source told CNN Thursday. See Suzanne Kelly’s article for more.
That is easy to say, but even if they had the funds to do more polygraphs (don’t call the polygraph “lie detectors” please), they will never have enough polygraph examiners to do the job.
