THE CRIME LAB MINUTE
November 5, 2007
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Announcement
West Virginia University is offering a one week training program to be held in San Diego, CA. Tuition, lodging, airfare and some meals are covered by a grant from the National Institute of Justice. The deadline to enroll is November 30, 2007.
Forensic Science in the News
Michigan
Crime lab closures drawing protests
A state and federal coalition of law enforcement officials and prosecutors is urging Gov. Jennifer Granholm not to approve the budget-driven closures of two Michigan State Police crime laboratories.
Texas
Overworked and understaffed: Help may be in sight for DPS Crime Lab
There is no doubt that the Department of Public Safety Crime Lab is treading water.
Washington
Russell trial told that crime lab evidence thrown out
A Washington State Patrol auditor testified that more than 500 pieces of bodily fluid evidence stored by the patrol crime lab's Seattle bureau were thrown out "without any explanation" and that proper procedures for documenting and destroying samples were not followed.
Israel
HU scientist finds way to catch terrorists red-handed
A scientist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has discovered a way to literally catch terrorists red-handed.
Maryland
Junk science or not?
The controversy over Baltimore County Circuit Judge Susan M. Souder's decision to throw out the testimony of a fingerprint analyst in a death penalty trial hasn't stopped.
Pennsylvania
Woman's killing gets new look with today's science
Officials hope forensics can ID victim left in suitcases 31 years ago.
Florida
Lab delays led to delay in his arrest
A man charged in the 2006 rape of a patient at a Jacksonville mental health treatment center wasn't charged until this month because evidence needed for the arrest sat in a crime lab for a year.
Texas
Man freed by DNA gets 10 days in jail
Josiah Sutton, who was released from jail four years ago after DNA testing exonerated him in the 1998 rape of a Houston woman, is briefly back behind bars after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge.
Texas
In police lineups, eyewitness testimony is frequently false
In a recent case, DNA analysis wasn't wrong, but witness was.
Massachusetts
Cold Cases
Forensic advances and a tough new attitude help authorities crack old crimes.
Colorado
Cramped DNA lab hinders rising to new demand
Increasing demands for service and requirements for laboratory accreditation have outpaced the available space.
Great Britain
Crime experts debate soil science
The role soil plays in solving crime is being discussed by forensic professionals in Edinburgh.
Maryland
Science, tradition at war in forensics
Fingerprints ruling roils mainstream. |
