Under the Microscope 2023 – Colleen Fitzpatrick
Forensic Genetic Genealogy was recently introduced into court as an investigative lead in the trial of Patrick Leon Nicholas for the 1991 murder of high school senior Sarah Yarborough in Federal Way, WA as a way to address privacy concerns that the defense raised related to the state constitution. This landmark case has brought to the […]
It Is Not Just You—Burnout Is Real
Today’s guest blog is written by Kelly Grooms, a Scientific Communications Specialist with Promega. Reposted from the Promega Connections blog with permission. “I just feel burned out.” I heard those words recently from my college junior. For him, the spring semester is barreling to a close and he is feeling tired, unmotivated and unproductive. He […]
Connecticut’s Implementation of a Rapid DNA Program for Law Enforcement Agencies
Rapid DNA technology delivers lab-quality DNA profiles and database matches in ninety (90) minutes, as opposed to weeks or months when submitted to the laboratory for conventional DNA testing. The 24/7 access to prompt DNA testing, is an invaluable tool as it provides real-time investigative leads for major crimes. The Connecticut Department of Emergency […]
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! Nonprofit Helping Identify Human Remains (FOX7 Austin – 7/07/2023) There are […]
Identification of War Victims in Ukraine Using an Innovative Mobile DNA Lab
On February 24th 2022, Vladimir Putin, president of the Russian Federation, launched a special military operation leading to the invasion of Ukraine in the direction of the capital, Kiev. At the end of February, Russian forces took the city of Bucha located in the suburbs of Kiev and occupied the field for a month. […]
Under the Microscope 2023 – Greg Hampikian
The National Registry of Exonerations reported that misleading forensic evidence is a prominent factor in wrongful convictions. Because DNA evidence resonates with jurors, even small mistakes have large effects. For example, when male DNA is reported in a “sperm fraction”—even though no sperm are present—the profile is referred to as “sperm DNA” by lawyers and […]
Women Advancing Forensics: Noelle Neff
Meet some of the women who are propelling the field of forensic science forward. In this interview, we meet Noelle Neff, a student at Towson University. Like many others in her generation, watching CSI with her dad introduced Noelle to the forensics field, but it was a high school elective class and subsequent college […]
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! St. Tammany Parish Coroner, Sheriff, and Othram Team to Identify 1993 […]
Use of Search Keys to Solve More Cases with Expanded DNA Profiles
In this interview, we meet Ray Wickenheiser, Director of the New York State Police Crime Laboratory System. He and Travis discuss the benefits of being able to return to in-person conferences, such as collaboration and energizing the analysts, and the shared experiences held by members of the forensic science field. They also talk […]