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Police Use Private DNA Databases to Solve Crimes

Police have begun using private DNA databases, such as Ancestry.com, to produce DNA matches using familial DNA searching. Brenden Koerner weighs in on the use of familial DNA searching in this Wired article.

Quinn v. State examines whether statute of limitations can be extended after DNA analysis

In 1988, a child molestation was reported to Elkhart County law enforcement. Over the years, many leads on the case failed to pan out, but forensic samples containing spermatazoa were kept stored with the Elkhart County Sheriff. At the time,… Continue Reading →

Texas Man Freed Under “Junk Science” Statute

A Texas man, Steven Mark Chaney, convicted over 25 years ago, in part by bite mark evidence and testimony that there was a “one to a million” chance that the bite marks belonged to another individual, has been released from prison…. Continue Reading →

The Innocence Project has called upon the Texas Forensic Commission to place a moratorium on the use of bitemark evidence

The Innocence Project has called upon the Texas Forensic Science Commission to discredit bitemark identification evidence in criminal cases and call a moratorium on its use, stating a lack of reliability in the “science.” Although bitemark is rarely used in criminal… Continue Reading →

DC Department of Forensic Sciences Obtains $8 Million Supplemental Budget, Makes Major Changes

The DC Department of Forensic Sciences is making major changes in its operations with help from an $8 million budget supplement passed by Mayor Muriel Bowster. The changes to the Department include a new data management system, better training for… Continue Reading →

DNA Solves 1997 Child Abduction Case

In 1997, Kirsten Hatfield was taken from her home in the middle of the night.  Blood was found on the window sill outside of her bedroom and her underwear was discovered in the backyard. Seventeen years later, it was discovered… Continue Reading →

DNA From Pepsi Can Leads to Arrest

Police were able to run a DNA analysis on a Pepsi can found at the scene of a burglary to link the perpetrator to the crime.

Man accused of murder seeks computer code for the DNA program that incriminated him

A Pittsburgh-area man named Michael Robinson was accused of murder after a computer program called TrueAllele matched his DNA to the DNA on a bandana found at the crime scene. Initially, experts said that there were three individuals’ DNA on… Continue Reading →

3D Printing and Forensic Artists Meet in Florida to Crack Cold Cases

Forensic artists gather in Florida this week with the goal of cracking cold cases. Each victim’s skull has been replicated using 3D printing. The forensic artists are using the 3D printed skulls, which reveal the contours of the face, the size of the… Continue Reading →

WSJ: Low Salaries for Medical Examiners Contributes to Forensic Pathologist Shortage, Rural States Must Increase Appeal

The Wall Street Journal writes that the relatively low pay of medical examiners, a mere $185,000 compared to $335,000 for holding a similar position with a private hospital, contributes to the shortage of medical examiners across the country. For four months this… Continue Reading →

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