Under the Microscope 2023 – Nicole Novroski and Amy Smuts
In response to the growing demand for genetic genealogy in cold and violent crime cases, forensic practitioners worldwide are exploring the who, what, when, where, and how to implement forensic genetic genealogy alongside their existing workflows. Providing these services via public laboratories democratizes genetic genealogy in such a way that investigators are not reliant solely […]
Under the Microscope 2023 – Natasha Poe
On July 29, 2016, partially unidentified human remains were found in Slidell, Louisiana. The cause of death was determined to be a homicide. A CODIS eligible profile was obtained from a toenail removed from the decedent. A keyboard search was requested from Louisiana State Police and Mississippi State Police due to the remains being found […]
Under the Microscope 2023 – Allison Lewis
There are many reasons the voice of the defense does not get considered during testing, hypothesis building, comparison and reporting of DNA evidence. It could be because testing is completed and consumed before counsel is assigned or any arrest made. It could be a defense request is made but the lab does not agree to […]
This Week in Forensic Science
No one has hours to scour the papers to keep up with the latest news, so we’ve curated the top news stories in the field of Forensic Science for this week. Here’s what you need to know to get out the door! Four Decades Later, a Victim of the Highway Killer is Finally […]
Using DNA to Help Exonerate the Innocent
With the rate of wrongful convictions being estimated between 2% and 6%, there are thousands of innocent people currently incarcerated in the United States. Over the years, multiple Innocence Project organizations have been founded to help exonerate the innocent, provide legal counsel, and to advocate for needed reforms within the justice system. Mike Ware […]
Under the Microscope – Meradeth Houston Snow
The intersection between identifying human remains that may be of Native American ancestry, and genetic testing, is one that is fraught with misunderstandings and cultural insensitivities. As the numbers of missing and murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP) continues to rise, the ability to bridge the world of forensic identification and cultural respect is becoming one that […]
Meet ISHI Exhibitors: DNA Labs International
Travis chats with Rachel Oefelein, Director of Research and Innovation, Quality Assurance Manager, and a Senior DNA Analyst at DNA Labs International who has been to 7 different ISHI meetings. They discuss evaluative reporting, which helps to develop a framework for a case by looking at how person’s DNA may have come to be […]
This Week in Forensic Science
No one has hours to scour the papers to keep up with the latest news, so we’ve curated the top news stories in the field of Forensic Science for this week. Here’s what you need to know to get out the door! DNA Profiles Recovered from Former Indiana Home of Suspected Serial Killer […]
Under the Microscope 2023 – Quentin Gauthier
Quantification of DNA in extracted samples offers key insights for an examiner’s decision on which downstream analysis to conduct. If the amount of nuclear DNA in a sample is too low for autosomal STR analysis, there may be the option to amplify the mitochondrial DNA present in the sample. Currently, however, these quantifications are achieved in […]
