Month September 2015

The DNA test results of the alleged victim’s undergarments and body show no trace of Patrick Kane’s DNA.

Defendant Barry Whitton is charged with murdering his wife Michelle Whitton, whose body was found in a shallow grave in DeKalb County. Investigators discovered that there were missing pieces in the couple’s bedroom carpet that appeared to have been cut… Continue Reading →

DNA evidence found on the taser of police officer Michael Slager could potentially provide an obstacle in the prosecution of Slager for the fatal shooting of unarmed citizen Walter Scott in a traffic stop. Slager had asserted that Scott had taken his… Continue Reading →

In Texas, the Tribune describes discussion of new standards for interpreting results in cases involving DNA mixtures.  The Texas Forensic Science Commission heard from experts last week; there may be a large number of old cases to revisit, where “since… Continue Reading →

A new technology called Fingerprint Molecular Identification could be used to reveal a lot more from a fingerprint than just a person’s identity. Using this technology, law enforcement officials may be able to determine whether  a person has recently used… Continue Reading →

First one analyst, and now a second analyst’s work has been called into question, says the Oregonian.  “The current case involving the Bend analyst likely affects nearly 1,000 cases — most in Eastern Oregon — including 502 in Deschutes County.”… Continue Reading →

This bill would allow police to collect the DNA during the booking procedure. The District Attorney believes that this bill is crucial in identifying violent offenders and preventing future crime. Thirty states currently have bills in place that allow for the… Continue Reading →

This ID supports the government’s theory that the students, who were engaging in a political protest, were kidnapped by local police, who handed the students over to a criminal gang, who then killed and burned the bodies. Forty-one student remains have… Continue Reading →

New from the NYT video series, the anatomy of a shaken baby case from the perspective of defense attorney Adele Bernhard.

An analyst at the OSP Forensic Laboratory is being investigated for allegations of tampering with evidence. The analyst mainly handled drug cases. The cases in question will have the evidence re-tested and defense counsel will be notified. Then the office… Continue Reading →