THE CRIME LAB MINUTE
January 21, 2008
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Announcements
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The National Center for Forensic Science (NCFS) has announced that it now offers an ASCLD/LAB approved proficiency test for computer forensics. We apologize for the error that appeared in last week's issue, which mistakenly listed NFSTC as the provider of this service. Thanks to our friends at NFSTC for bringing this to our attention.
The Scientific Working Group for Firearms and Toolmarks (SWGGUN) has communicated its concern about a presentation made at the Orlando ASCLD Symposium that addressed a survey conducted to explore the general acceptance of non-traditional methods being advocated for firearm & toolmark identification. Consequently, SWGGUN is encouraging all interested ASCLD members to visit their website at www.swggun.org to learn more about the survey conducted by the SWGGUN.
The formal announcement and call for applications to attend the FBI symposium are published in this issue of FBI Forensic Science Communications. We have the pleasure of partnering with Washington University in St. Louis for this valuable academic management program. Interested parties should complete and submit their application forms by February 1, 2008.
The 21st Annual Forensic Anthropology Course will be held on June 9 - 13, 2008 at the National Transportation Training Center in Ashburn, VAThis 5-day course uses hands-on lab sessions to teach basic techniques of
skeletal analysis. Lectures provide the methodological basis of human
osteology and introduce applications used by anthropologists in their work.
Forensic pathologists, death investigators, forensic dentists, attorneys and
other specialists engaged in multidisciplinary forensic investigations will
find this courser an excellent introduction to the field.
The objectives are to 1) learn the basic anthropological methods to
determine age, sex, race and stature from the human skeleton; 2) discern the
fundamental differences between human and non-human skeletons; 3) identify
the ways forensic anthropology can assist in interpreting; 4) skeletal
trauma; 5) understand the methods used by forensic anthropologists to
identify burned remains 6) comprehend methods used in body search and
excavation techniques; 7) understand the theoretical considerations related
to personal identity and evidence and the methods used by forensic
anthropologists to establish personal identity from human remains; 8)
understand the contribution of DNA analysis and forensic odontology to
victim identification; and 9) determine how forensic anthropology is
integrated into the response to mass disasters
For more information, please contact
Mr. Mark Hovland at (202) 782-2637or came@afip.osd.mil
Website: http://www.askafip.org
Go to ASCLD Home Page....
Forensic Science in the News
National
Most Cops Can't Afford Latest Forensics Technology
Lack of money and training bog down many high-tech efforts to catch killers, and experts fear many crimes that could be solved remain on the books as a result.
Canada
Testifying for defence a thankless task for pathologists, report ...
Forensic pathologists who testify for criminal defendants tend to be underpaid, unfairly discredited, and obliged to give their evidence in an atmosphere that is overtly hostile.
Texas
Indictment dismissed against Houston man cleared by DNA testing
The dismissal represents the final major legal hurdle for Ronald Taylor, who is the third innocent man released from prison because of mistakes made by the Houston Police Department's crime lab.
Wisconsin
Madison police used DNA on bottle cap to nab rape suspect
Detectives found bottle caps on the floor at the crime scene, and crime lab technicians extracted DNA from small amounts of skin on the caps.
Louisiana
DNA Exonerates Man Who Spent 26 Years in Angola
Rickey Johnson was released after DNA results proved his innocence.
Great Britain
Review of the use of Low Copy Number DNA analysis in current cases ...
A Judge expressed concerns about Low Copy Number (LCN) DNA analysis and the extent to which the scientific validity of the technique had been demonstrated.
Arizona
Crime lab, detectives praised
Employees working from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning in DPS' crime lab were able to match Santana Batiz Aceves' DNA to that found at the scene of three attacks.
Virginia
Panel: Convicted felons will not be notified of DNA hits
Felons convicted before DNA testing was widely in use will not be notified when biological evidence is found in old case files, a state review panel decided.
Australia
Hunt for villains follows in footprints of a legendary sleuth
The once neglected art of tracing footsteps, as made famous in the Sherlock Holmes stories, has been given a high-tech makeover.
West Virginia
Holcomb lawyers want independent lab to analyze evidence
Attorneys for the victim’s father and accused killer have filed a petition to stop testing at the West Virginia State Police Crime Lab, citing what they argue is Holcomb’s right to evidence examination at an independent lab.
Ireland
Ailing forensic lab hampers crime fight
One-third of DNA and drug samples submitted to the State's Forensic Science Laboratory are not processed because it is so poorly resourced.
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