Under the Microscope 2024 – Mandi Van Buren
In 2022, one laboratory’s journey from traditional forensic DNA testing methods to next generation sequencing (NGS) was explored. In 2023, that journey concluded with the first successful admissibility hearing of NGS data in the United States. Identity SNP, aSTR and Y-STR DNA profiles obtained from the evidence collected from the crime scene samples of the […]
Keynote Ashley Flowers and SiriusXM Launch Crime Junkie Radio
SiriusXM and Audiochuck to Launch Crime Junkie Radio Along with New Show “Crime Junkie AF,” Hosted by Ashley Flowers. New channel features curated selection of audiochuck’s top shows, including chart-topping “Crime Junkie”. On April 23rd, SiriusXM, in collaboration with independent media and podcast company audiochuck and its founder Ashley Flowers, announced Crime Junkie Radio, […]
Project Prism: Investigating Toronto’s Missing Men
On April 30th, 2017, Selim Esen was reported missing to the Toronto Police. On June 29th, 2017, Andrew Kinsman was reported missing to the Toronto Police. In early July 2017, the need to create a dedicated task force to investigate their disappearances was identified. The mandate of Project PRISM was to investigate these two disappearances […]
Under the Microscope 2023 – Melody Josserand
Due to the increase of global migration, missing person and unidentified, deceased person cases can have a cross-border impact. Often these cases are difficult to resolve in a national DNA database system. Through collaboration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) have developed the HDID […]
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 […]
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 […]
