THE CRIME LAB MINUTE
April 21, 2008
Attention Subscribers - Please click here to view entire newsletter with graphics.
Announcement
We'd like to thank our members for their patience as the Crime Lab Minute is transitioned to a new editorial group. The original editors are bringing their replacements up to speed and we hope to be back on track in the next several weeks. Also, we are looking for members interested in serving on the communications committee. Please contact President Stephanie Reilander or another member of the ASCLD board if you are interested.
Nominations for the 2008 Briggs White Award are currently being accepted. Please click here for more information.
Online registration for ASCLD's 36 th Annual Workshop and Symposium is now open. Please visit www.blueskyz.com/ascld2008 to register, view the tentative agenda, and book your hotel room. This year, we're heading to Salt Lake City, Utah. The workshop and symposium will be held at the Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown, http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/slcut-salt-lake-city-marriott-downtown/.
Workshops will be held Sunday-Monday, September 14-15, 2008. The Symposium will be held Tuesday-Thursday, September 16-18, 2008. For more information, please contact Margaret Black, Workshop and Symposium Coordinator, at jmaconsutlting1@gmail.com or 703-729-5263.
Forensic Science in the News
United Kingdom
Gunshot residue test fingers lead-free bullets
A more reliable method of detecting residue from lead-free gunshot ammunition has been developed.
Missouri
State crime lab step closer to done
It's still several steps from official, but full funding for a state crime lab in Springfield moved closer to reality this week.
Washington, D.C
MPD shakeup claims official behind crime-lab efforts
The commander behind D.C.'s foundering efforts to build a high-tech crime lab has been removed from his position.
Virginia
New Forensic Lab Tops Out in Prince William Tech Park
State-of-the-Art Facility Being Developed for Commonwealth of Virginia
Texas
Texas A&M's forensics program is about more than what's on 'CSI'
The degree in forensic and investigative sciences, the first in Texas and one of 16 in the nation, began at A&M after its approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in September.
Arizona
Tucson crime-lab worker resigns; had mishandled evidence in 6 cases
An employee who worked in the Tucson Police Department’s crime lab for more than 20 years has resigned amid an investigation that determined he mishandled evidence in six criminal cases.
Wisconsin
Shining light on cold cases
The Milwaukee Police Department's revamped cold case unit is applying new forensic technology to long-unsolved homicides.
California
'CSI' gives the public the wrong idea, DA says
Television crime dramas such as "CSI” have given the public unrealistic views of how evidence is gathered and presented at trials.
Virginia
The Price of Certain Justice
Lawmakers realized that it's pointless to re-examine decades-old evidence eligible for DNA testing if nobody makes an effort to find the defendants. They directed the state Forensic Science Board to find and notify felons, in or out of prison, when testable evidence is found.
Missouri
CPD at work building a crime lab
Members of the Columbus Police Department and several other area organizations are working to make a new crime lab a reality.
England
Study backs controversial DNA method
A controversial technique for obtaining DNA profiles from tiny samples is scientifically sound, an independent review concluded today.
Philippines
Murder of FHM girl , 3 friends ‘ solved’
Suspects were implicated in the March 13 murders of FHM model Scarlet Garcia and three others after results of ballistic tests done by the PNP Crime Laboratory in Camp Crame showed that a bullet and a cartridge used in Olongapo were fired from a gun recovered in the San Fernando cases.
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