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!

Murderer Jailed for 1986 Rape Thanks to DNA Testing Advances (BBC News – 12/9/2016)

• A convicted murderer has been given a second life sentence for a rape he committed 30 years ago – thanks to advances in DNA testing.

DA Urges NY State to Authorize Familial DNA Testing After NYC Jogger Murder Goes Unsolved (ABC News – 12/9/2016)

• The Queens District Attorney in New York City is urging the state to authorize familial searching of the state’s DNA data banks in the wake of the unsolved murder of a young woman who was found strangled after she went for a jog.

DNA Database Links 530 Crimes to Suspects (Irish Examiner – 12/10/2016)

• The DNA database has linked more than 530 crimes to particular individuals in its first year of operation, official figures show.

How Forensics is Boosting the Battle Against Wildlife Trade (The Christian Science Monitor – 12/13/2016)

• From rapid genetic analysis to spectrography, high-tech tools are being used to track down and prosecute perpetrators of the illegal wildlife trade – offering hope in stopping the trafficking of endangered species.

Forensic Genealogist Uncovers Suspect’s Name in Phoenix Cold Case (Forensic Magazine – 12/13/2016)

• Last year, Phoenix police arrested Miller for the infamous Phoenix “canal killings” of the early 1990s—with the big break in the cold case finally coming courtesy of forensic genealogist Colleen Fitzpatrick.

New DNA Testing Planned in JonBenet Ramsey Murder Case (Fox News – 12/14/2016)

• The unsolved murder case of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey took a step forward on Tuesday when Colorado police and prosecutors announced they would look into new DNA testing technology.

How Forensic Anthropologists are Helping the Families of Mexico’s Disappeared Seek Justice (Science – 12/14/2016)

• Since the beginning of the drug war in 2006, more than 28,000 people have gone missing across the country, according to Mexico’s National Registry of Missing or Disappeared Persons.

DNA Discovery Reignites Long-Dormant Serial Killer Case (ABC News – 12/14/2016)

• A new DNA analysis has given more clues to detectives investigating a suspected string of serial killings on Long Island.

Colorado DA on Reopening DNA Portion of JonBenet Ramsey Murder Investigation (ABC News – 12/15/2016)

• The Boulder, Colo. district attorney offered some more insight into the announcement he made this week that prosecutors are looking into using new testing technology to review DNA evidence in the unsolved 1996 murder of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey.

First UK Baby With DNA from Three People Could be Born Next Year (The Guardian – 12/15/2016)

• Clinics set to apply to offer treatment to help women with mitochondrial mutations after regulator gives green light

NIST Research Enables Enhanced DNA “Fingerprints” (NIST – 12/15/2016)

• Starting January 1, DNA profiles will include more data, making them even more powerful at solving cases.

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