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/.
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 009 – Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction
The forensicweek.com Show is airing Episode 009 this Thursday evening, January 31, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST), discussing the identification and handling of “Hazardous Materials (HazMat) & Weapons of Mass Destruction,” with special guests – Michael Hildebrand and Gregg Noll, preeminent experts and co-authors in the field. So join host, Tom Mauriello, and the rest of the forensicweek.com team and learn the “real” truth about the forensic evidence associated with Hazardous Materials (HazMat) & Weapons of Mass Destruction. 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/.
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 008 – 012413 – The Polygraph Process
The forensicweek.com Show is airing Episode 008 this Thursday evening, January 24, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST), discussing the “Truth and Lies of the Polygraph.” This show is Part II of the series of episodes where we will discuss the polygraph (commonly incorrectly referred to as a lie detector) and focus on the polygraph process that includes the physiology, psychology, and instrumentation of the polygraph. So join host, Tom Mauriello, former federal polygraph examiner, and the rest of the forensicweek.com team and learn the “real” truth about this investigative technique for seeking the truth. 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/.
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 006 – Forensics in the High Schools
The forensicweek.com Show is airing Episode 006 this Thursday evening, January 10, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST), discussing Forensic Sciences being taught in our high schools. Special guests are, high school teachers from Howard and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland: Emily Moore, Roosevelt HS; Terri Bradford, Riverhill HS; Susanne Hughes, Reservoir HS and one of her students, Whitney Ceverino; and return guest, Dr. Jay Tobin, Stevenson University. So join host, Tom Mauriello and the forensicweek.com cast and learn the “real” facts about how forensic sciences is being taught at the high school level; what the students are learning; how they need to prepare for college; and who are the talented teachers who quickly mastered the art of teaching this 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/ .
Forensic scientists need skeletons to train – but they’re down to bare bones
Heavy increases in the need for forensic science courses in unison with strict laws governing human tissue use and legislation repatriating historic remains have left universities struggling to provide actual remains for study and practice. In result, forensic science students are becoming more and more dependent on technology to provide hands-on experience. A British company named Anthronomics is working with computer game developers to alleviate this need by designing new software that creates 3D digital images from scans of existing skeletal collections. These scans can then be used by universities that, as Dr Piers Mitchell, President of the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteroarcheology, says “do not have well established archaeological collections and may not be connected to a medical school.” Many students currently rely on studying remains from Anglo-Saxon times or on plastic casts, but as skeletal remains are returned and universities look for a cheaper alternative, 3D images may be the best substitute.
Date of Article: January 4th, 2013
[Abstract by Mark Lombard, ForensIQ Intern, January 8th, 2013]
Citation
Brown, J. The Independent The Independent | News . Forensic scientists need skeletons to train â but theyâre down to bare bones – Science – News – The Independent. Retrieved January 8, 2013, from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/forensic-scientists-need-skeletons-to-train–but-theyre-down-to-bare-bones-8439073.html
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 005 – Computer Forensics and Cyber Security
The forensicweek.com Show is airing Episode 005 this Thursday evening, January 3, 2013 at 7:00 PM (EST). Special guest, Paul Woodie, Computer forensics Expert, will be discussing how computers have become tools of the trade for today’s criminals in the form of identity theft; viruses; cyber intrusions into critical infrastructures; and cyberharassment, stalking and pornography. This highly technical field of science and engineering has evolved into a skill set that requires highly technical analysis to uncover the evidence needed to successfully investigate these cases . So join host, Tom Mauriello and the forensicweek.com cast and learn the “real” facts about computer forensics and cyber security. 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/ .
NIST and Dutch Agency Team to Improve Forensic Science
On November 29, 2012, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NF) forged partnership to promote the advancement of technologies, methods, practices and standards in the field of forensic science. These two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the recent event, Forensics@NIST 2012, in which is held at NIST headquarters in Gaithersburg, Maryland. They agreed to work together through focusing on such areas as research and development in forensic science, standards, education, training, and ethical practices. This will help to improve the accuracy and reliability in forensic science in the United States and Netherlands.
Source: Forensic Magazine
Date of Article: December 13, 2012
[Abstract by David Miller, ForensIQ Intern, December 19, 2012]
The forensicweek.com Show – Episode 004 – Forensic Chemistry and Stevenson University Forensic Sciences Program
Want to learn about the role of Forensic Chemistry in a criminal investigation? Want to hear about a new forensic sciences program at Stevenson University, Baltimore County, MD? Then tune in to “forensicweek.com,” this evening, Dec. 20, 2012 at 7:00 PM. Listen to “Real” science from a “Real” Forensic Chemist and Professor of Forensic Sciences, Dr. John “Jay” Tobin. This will be Episode 004 of the webcast show, forensicweek.com. The viewers are growing and the excitement is contagious. Watch it LIVE, or visit the forensicweek.com website and view achieved shows. Click here: http://www.youtube.com/forensicweek/
What Lawyers and Judges Need to Know About Trace Evidence Examination
The scene of a crime frequently yields a large amount of trace evidence. Trace evidence is left when different objects contact one another. During a criminal investigation, trace evidence plays an essential role in establishing a connection between the crime scene, the victim, and the suspect. Trace evidence includes human hairs, synthetic fibers, gunshot residue, and paint. It is important for those unfamiliar with the science involved in trace evidence to understand the methods used to analysis said evidence, as well as the process involved in finding, construing, and testifying about the evidence.
The American Academy of Forensic will be holding their Annual Meeting taking place on February 18-23, 2013 in Washington, DC, where Gateway Analytical will be giving a presentation entitled, “What Lawyers and Judges Need to Know about the Science behind Trace Evidence Examination.” Higgs stated that this presentation “. . .will help attendees gain a general introduction and exposure to the scientific method employed in the analysis of trace evidence, as well as the conclusions that can be expected from the various types of trace evidence examinations.” In addition, the presentation will provide case studies in which trace evidence was vital in the investigation, as well as the trial. Assuring judges and lawyers understand the science behind trace evidence; will assure the jury understands the significance of the results.
Check out the full article here.
Date of Article: November 12, 2012
[Abstract by David Miller, ForensIQ Intern, December 5, 2012]
Citation
Higgs, Brittney. “What Lawyers and Judges Need to Known about the Science behind Trace Evidence Examination.” Gateway Analytical. 12 Nov. 2012. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.
Students Practice Evaluating Crime Scenes
Criminal justice students around the world have a great advantage to help in the learning process. Criminal justice is a field of study that involves hands-on learning. Processing a crime scene is something that can be taught, but is ultimately best learned in the field. Mock crimes scenes are a common teaching tool used today in the classroom…or out of the classroom.
Students in Marana High School in Arizona were taken to the space under the bleachers at their school where they were met with a mock crime scene. Students acted as the different people involved in a crime scene from policemen to witnesses to crime scene investigators. The activity designed by Rick Pines–their teacher–included many details of crime scene such as fake dead bodies, bullet shells, fake blood, a bloody knife, and so on. The students enjoyed the activity and felt like it was very rewarding to get a feel for what they could be dealing with if they choose to pursue a career in investigative/police work.
Tom Mauriello–president and CEO of ForensIQ, Inc–conducts a similar activity with his students at The University of Maryland. Based on his book The Dollhouse Murders, he has several little rooms that are doll-sized and are typical rooms you would come across in a house. Rooms like the kitchen and the garage are some of the few included. Each room is a crime scene. As the students arrive to class, they are presented with a few facts and asked to determine what happened. One student for each group acts as a “know it all” and can answer specific yes or no questions. It really is a great activity to get the students’ minds thinking like investigators.
To read more about the Marana students, check out this article.
