Crystal Pattern Mapping Can Recover Obliterated Serial Numbers In Metals

Crystal Pattern Mapping Can Recover Obliterated Serial Numbers In Metals

        Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have used a new technique in order to recover destroyed serial numbers on metal objects such as firearms. Researchers tested this new technique, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD),  by stamping a X 140 micrometers into stainless steel. This X would act as if it was a serial number on a gun. They then removed this X by polishing it away. To recover the X, researchers combined pattern quality maps by using a computer software, revealing crystal damage and deformation in the steel. The deformation took place about 70 micrometers below the surface, much deeper than the actual x stamp. This technique would also help other needs such as vehicle identification

numbers or striations on an ammunition case. Previous methods used to recover serial numbers were acid or electrolytic etching. These methods didn't always work. The technique of hammering in a X is still experimental but it shows some promise. This is time consuming though; A technician would need 3 full days to construct an 8-character number.

       This technique would be very beneficial towards society. Even though it's not clear if this would work on the most extreme cases of destruction, researchers are testing this everyday to improve their data. This would help solve cases of disposed weapons with their serial number etched out. This would recover the number and hopefully connect to the prime suspect. This would also help researchers who look at automobiles and ballistics since it could reconstruct impressions or numbers on them.
    This article was very interesting. The author of this article included many details pertaining to the technique. This included what it does, how it is used, and what else it could be used for. I wish the author included how they would use the technique on other objects besides the stainless steel. Overall, I enjoyed reading the article.

   

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150212102848.htm

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). "Crystal pattern mapping can recover obliterated serial numbers in metals." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 12 February 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150212102848.htm>.

New Technique Can Identify Gender From a Fingerprint

A new test that can be performed at crime scenes can help forensic scientists determine whether the suspect is a male or female. This test is based on certain amino acids found in fingerprints. The levels of these acids are twice as high in the sweat of women than as men. This test has been done a doorknob, a desktop, a benchtop and a computer screen. In every case forensic experts were able to determine whether the person who touched the object was male or female due to the levels of residual amino acids. However, according to Dr. Hamalek, the study “involved only a few fingerprints, however, and a larger sample is required to ensure the results are statistically significant.” Scientists are trying to create further tests using protein markers found in blood samples to create a “very simple kit” that can determine whether the person is “young or old, male or female, and their ethnicity.” However, these tests it is important to note will not replace DNA tests even with their high costs and and time consumption.

This new test is very important to society as a whole. If forensic experts can perform this test and get correct results every time, then police forces can easily narrow down suspects, especially if the tests that determine age and ethnicity are performed. However, if this test is not perfected, then people could be wrongfully crossed off the list as a suspect. But all in all, this would avoid people from being considered suspects when they shouldn’t be.

This article was very interesting. I liked how the author talked about specific examples of where this test was performed. I also liked that she didn’t just say this new test is working fine. She explained thoroughly how this test is still being perfected. I wish she went into depth about how the test actually worked. I also wish she went into more detail about how it will be implemented into society. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/24/science/new-technique-can-identify-gender-from-a-fingerprint.html?ref=topics

Bhanoo, Sindya N. "New Technique Can Classify a Fingerprint as Male or Female." The New York Times. The New York Times, 23 Nov. 2015. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.

Altered Fingerprints: A Challenge to Law Enforcement Identification Efforts

Yusrah Seddiki December 9 2015

Forensic Science Current Event #10

http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/altered-fingerprints.html

"Free Newsletter." Altered Fingerprints: A Challenge to Law Enforcement Identification Efforts. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.

Law enforcement agencies have used fingerprints to identify individuals for almost a century now. FBI fingerprint examiners have encountered situations where criminals, including those in the country illegally, intentionally altered their fingertips themselves or with the assistance of medical professionals. They falsely believed that doing so would prevent law enforcement officials from discovering their true identities. In 2014 the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division conducted a study of altered fingerprint records maintained in its Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). FBI fingerprint examiners isolated 412 fingerprint records in IAFIS that maintained indicators of deliberate print alteration. A review of those records for patterns and trends revealed that Massachusetts officials had the most encounters with individuals who had altered fingerprints, followed by New York, Texas, California, and Arizona. A substantial number of individuals who altered their prints were arrested for drug-related offenses, followed in measure by immigration-related offenses, theft, and violent crimes. All of these individuals with intentionally changed prints had extensive criminal records. The CJIS Division categorized the alteration types based upon the suspected method used to mutilate the fingerprint. The alterations most frequently encountered were the vertical cut or slice, followed by the z-pattern cut, intentional burns, and unknown or uncategorized. The intent of the z-pattern cut is to scar and distort the natural fingerprint into an unnatural pattern. Using a heat or chemical source to burn the fingertip, the burn method is intended to scar or obliterate the print. If the affected area is small, fingerprint examiners can use other areas of the fingers that contain sufficient prints to attempt to establish identity. Suspects associated with an unknown method of alteration use a variety of techniques. They may bite or use sandpaper to eliminate fingerprint ridges necessary for identification. When law enforcement agencies report altered fingerprints, they help CJIS significantly improve the knowledge base of print alterations and ensure a high rate of identification accuracy. The CJIS Division works with all levels of law enforcement to maintain an awareness of fingerprint modifications and improve measures for identification.

This article was very interesting, it was very easy to read through and understand the topic, however it could have been better if the author explained how they can still find their true identity through their altered fingerprints. However, it is good to know that these criminals can’t get away with what they are doing, and that forensic investigators can identify who they really are.

Bringing a new biometric capability to verify families separated by crisis

Yumi Mita

Mr. Ippolito

Forensics AB ODD

8 December 2015

Current Event 8: Review

Homeland Security's Science & Technology Directorate. "Bringing a new biometric capability to verify families separated by crisis." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 October 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151022130341.htm>.

A newly technology known as a Rapid DNA was developed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). It can be used to assist first responders and law enforcements when there are a mass of people in chaos and in need to contact their family or verify their deaths; possible scenarios involve massacre, refugee camps around the world, or at immigration offices. The S&T Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) Resilient Systems Division (RSD) Program Manager Chris Miles explains "responders have often used DNA to make familial connections, but the process typically takes multiple days to process in a forensics laboratory and can take up to a few months to get the results". Midst conflict, time and resources become scarce. With DNA results’ time-consuming process, people often become apprehensive and frustrated; worsening the situation. However, with this "Rapid DNA technology can be used in the field to confirm kinship between a parent and a child with 99.5 percent likelihood of relationship in 90 minutes” (Miles).

Given this positive result, it is not surprising to know many entities across the homeland security enterprise have expressed the need for this type of technology. This technology came about when the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approached S&T about a solution more reliable than documentary evidence and interviews to help verify blood relationships in refugee camps while joining forces the Departments of Defense and Justice to develop and test such technology. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection also support their development when required for disaster response and law enforcement missions. Not only government services, but also the local medical examiners have expressed their interest in Rapid DNA technology. Soon after S&T made public of the technology, the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (MA-OCME) purchased it to be prepared for any disasters or life endangering situations.

In order to produce Rapid DNA that was functional and affordable, S&T found two companies, NetBio and IntegenX, that made it possible. Since DNA testing by traditional forensic laboratories typically costs around $500 per sample, the goal for Rapid DNA to cost is less than $100 to process a sample. Today it is already down to $235 per sample and the costs will continue to fall as production increases.In addition to its cost reduction, S&T constructed Rapid DNA with a 'privacy by design' approach. It requires identity authentication for operators to check data. Moreover, Rapid DNA only looks at DNA locations required to confirm a match and does not specifics: physical traits, race, ethnicity, or illness.

The capabilities Rapid DNA instill have an immense effect on the society today since immigration issues and mass conflicts like terrorism occur on daily bases. With this tool, people will be able to figure out each other’s whereabouts more easily. I thought this invention would be perfected soon, and many, not only the authority but also locals, will begin to make use of it. I think the article did a good job of informing the innovation by presenting the background and quotes from its producers.

Seeking justice decades after slayings

CITATION

Malagon, Elvis. "Seeking Justice Decades after Slayings." Northwestern Indiana Times. The Times of Northwestern Indiana, 6 Dec. 2015. Web. 8 Dec. 2015. <http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/seeking-justice-decades-after-slayings/articleb250a071-fbe8-5c72-bd25-d371edd37967.html>.

SUMMARY

The Lake County CSI unit has dedicated itself to solving some of the 600 cold cases in the area. It all started when a detective from Gary, Indiana asked to see a filed cold case about an eight year old boy named Kenny Conrick who had died in 1979. After reopening the case, the sheriff department commander Matt Eaton and his department’s team managed to successfully relate the DNA found on Conrick’s clothes to David B. Bowen, who later pleaded guilty.

As a result, this case has provoked a lot of interest in other cold cases too. According to Malagon, “Eaton said they were able to piece together a database of about 600 homicides that had taken place from 1975 to 2001 in Lake County” and that “about 20 of those homicides had been solved by searching through the newspaper articles at the county library”. Later on, he explains that cases are examined to see if any DNA evidence that could connect a suspect to one of the homicides. If there is potential that a possible suspect’s DNA can be found, then the team can use advanced DNA tests to figure who the culprit could possibly be.

However, Malagon is careful to explain that sometimes cases can be solved without genetic evidence. He lists a few more cases regarding Christian Choate, Linda C. Martin, and a strangled toddler. Not all cases were happily resolved but these cold cases were eventually cracked, even if it did open up quite a few festering wounds for those involved.

Last but not least, Elvis Malagon also discusses how the crime scene unit is vital for solving cold cases, no matter how much time has passed. It holds case files that have lasted ever since the 1970’s. Regarding homicides, the sheriff department handles the process of collecting evidence, something which never changes throughout the decades. Malagon expands on this idea by stating, “Any damp items are still air dried before they are packaged in brown paper bags, which helps preserve the evidence.”

Simply put, it is a fact that every forensics investigator should understand. He also explains fingerprint analysis and firearm examination. However, what it may be, it is clear that people have high hopes for solving even the toughest of nuts to crack.

Certainly, a detective’s work is never over.

RELEVANCE

“Seeking justice decades after slayings”, written by Elvis Malagon, is one of the most compelling arguments yet. While the public normally keeps murders out of sight and out of mind, people are seldom privy to the many, many cold cases left unsolved. Now, however, light can be shed on these cases, and the general populace will surely have a greater understanding of how advanced technology has become.

Also, while this article has proven to be most fascinating and even informative about evidence collection, it is also very poignant and sensitive to those affected by these very cases. Some of the people they discuss are parents of the victim.

However, some parents are merely collateral damage, like the mother of a strangled toddler, who was unwilling to divulge much information. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the mother’s ex-boyfriend’s DNA was present at the crime scene, it was not enough to press charges.

Perhaps it is an unintentional trend, but interestingly enough, some parents did seem to murder their own child. For example, Christian Choate, a ten year old, was neglected by his father and stepmother and even was kept in a dog cage before dying. His death was not reported until he was found in a nearby shallow grave.

Hopefully, after this article, society will be exposed to more cases regarding child abuse since many cold cases seem to have an abused child as the victim. This article highlights an important trend in many cold cases but no one can hide. Now these deceased children will finally be able to reach closure because of these investigations. On another note, the victims’ extended families will also be informed of what has happened to these minors and they may at long last receive a proper burial. And in the court of public opinion, even if there is not enough evidence to convict someone as a murder, if signs of abuse are present on a deceased child, then appraisal of the parents’ crimes will be obvious. Officials will be alert in case if said parents had any other children too.

Above all, it is encouraging that many investigators are determined and full of aspirations to deliver justice to cold case victims. The faith that they have in their technology and in their teams will be crucial for solving not just Lake County’s 600 cold cases but will be also important for solving cases outside of Gary, Indiana too. There is a great chance that other cities and states will follow in Indiana’s wake.

CRITIQUE

Overall, “Seeking justice decades after slayings” has proven to be an extremely well-written article. It separates its article into three subtopics to provide some organization, and the writing and syntax are nearly perfect. The topic is fresh but engaging.

It is easy to say that this article holds minimal errors. Yet, nothing is perfect, not even this piece of writing. One must remember that it is quite lengthy, enough to be divided into three topics. While the plethora of information is very much appreciated, perhaps the article could be shortened, at least a little bit.

Secondly, the only other problem is that most of these sections end with quotes. Quotes are great; they are stylish and they can add to each subject. However, when it comes to this news article, there are probably better means of closure. For instance, Malagon writes, “‘Everyone has their role in trying to bring justice for these cases,’ Judge said.” Even though the quote is very inspiring, and it is backed up by the rest of the article, Malagon can probably afford to discuss the relevance of these finds a little more to wrap up the report.

It is important to discuss the relevance so that a connection with a global context is more present. The more that connection thickens, the more significant the article can become. Nevertheless, the subject was attention-grabbing and intriguing in general.

In conclusion, this article was absolutely superb with a few subtle nitpicks.

Crime scene discovery: Scientist separates the DNA of identical twins

This article highlights a breakthrough in scientific discovery that allows forensic scientists to distinguish the DNA of identical twins. Since the 1980s DNA profiling has been a vital tool for forensic investigators, but in the courtroom legal issues have arisen in cases involving an identical twin. Due to the factor of doubt to which of the pair could have committed the crime prosecutions have been dropped and the bad guy has gotten off on a technicality. But now Dr. Graham Williams and his Forensic Genetics Research Group at the University of Huddersfield have found a solution. A previous method known as “mutation analysis” allows you to tell twins apart by sequencing the whole genome of both twins to identify mutations that might have occurred to one of them. But this has its flaws if neither of the twins has a mutation, and its expensive which police forces would not be able to spend. Dr. Williams concept is based on DNA methylation. DNA methylation is what turns our genes on/off in our body. As twins get older the develop different habits (i.e. smoker/ non smoker) and live in different environments which cause changes in the methylation status of their DNA. Dr Williams and his team found a way to measure the melting point of two DNA samples by subjecting the DNA to increasingly high temperatures until the hydrogen bonds break. DNA With different methylation statuses will measure at different points. Therefore allowing you to tell the twins DNA apart. They named this method "high resolution melt curve analysis" (HRMA).

This new discovery has taken the forensic society one step closer to eliminating DNA technicalities from the courtroom. It will cause much fewer prosecutions to be dropped and far more criminals to be convicted of their crimes. It also brings forensic science closer to being more positive in separating DNA that is very similar between strangers and siblings. the chance that strangers have the same DNA is one in a billion and for siblings it is one in ten thousand, but that is still possibility. And if it is, forensic scientists can now use HRMA to disprove doubt in the courtroom.

I think the article did an excellent job explaining the new technique in layman's terms. It was scientific, yet not too difficult to understand, and very relatable. The article would have been stronger if it had mentioned some of the cases which were dropped in court involving twins. That factor would have helped by emphasizing the relevance to society in my review as well.

University of Huddersfield. "Crime scene discovery: Scientist separates the DNA of identical twins." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 April 2015.

Glowing Fingerprints to Fight Crime

The article “Glowing Fingerprints to Fight Crime” is about a new technique that is able to detect and analyze fingerprints. By adding a drop of liquid containing crystals, investigators can use a UV light to find the invisible fingerprints. Under the UV light the fingerprints glow and this process only takes about 30 seconds. “The tiny crystals rapidly bind to fingerprint residue, including proteins, peptides, fatty acids, and salts.” This creates a coating that is a replica of the pattern/fingerprint on the evidence. Also since this works on a molecular level, this method is very precise and has a lower risk of damaging the fingerprints. Dr. Kang Liang who works at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) believes that this technique could be used for more challenging evidence where the dusting technique would not be appropriate. Forensics experts and the police have different techniques on analyzing evidence and sometimes the evidence has to be sent to the lab, but this method reduces these steps. “A digital device can be used at the scene to capture images of the glowing prints to run through the database in real time.” The CSIRO has also tested this technique on a window, a wine glass, metal blades, and plastic light switches. In all these cases the technique was successful.

This new discovery is significant because this technique can reveal hidden fingerprints in seconds. This technique is also very precise and doesn’t damage the fingerprints. This is important because if the fingerprints are valuable they can later be used in court and if they are damaged then this evidence becomes useless. Since the method is pretty efficient it can be used in future cases to find invisible fingerprints on evidence instead of having to send the evidence into the lab. Sending the evidence to the lab and getting the results can take days, so this method is much more convenient and efficient.

I found this article to be interesting because this technique will make it easier to find invisible fingerprints on evidence. This discovery will be important for future investigations. The article also did a good job in explaining the method and why this discovery is important. This article was very informative and I learned a lot. Overall, the article was easy to understand and really interesting.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151021103224.htm

"Glowing Fingerprints to Fight Crime." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 Oct. 2015. Web. 07

Dec. 2015.

New "party pill" test could help authorities

Emme Kerj

Current event article review

The article I read is about a newly discovered technique that makes it faster, easier, and cheaper for laboratories to detect “club drugs” in urine and plasma samples. The new technique was created as a result of a collaboration between Universidade da Beira Interior and Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal and Universidad de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. One of the most common “club drugs” that the article talk about is ketamine, an animal tranquilizer, which works as a sedative and a pain reliever. When people with ketamine in their system have gone to the hospital the symptoms have often been mistaken for alcohol, which has caused these people to be given the wrong treatment. This new test is also good because it allows for hospitals to keep track on the drug use. The method that is used for this new type of testing is called “gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry”. This test not only detects small amounts of the substance from samples but also the main substance that is produced when these drugs are broken down in the body, making it easier for scientists to make sure that the test is accurate. Using this new test allows scientists to detect amounts of the drug as low as 5 nanograms per millimeter. The test also only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Why this new technique is so important is because these specific drugs have previously been very hard if not impossible to analyze and detect. One drug in particular, ketamine, has often been used as a date rape drug and since it has been hard to detect before in the body this new test might make it easier for rape victims to build a case against the offender. This testing is also much faster than other techniques which allows labs to work more quickly and efficiently.

I thought that the article was very interesting because making sure that drug testing is accurate is extremely important for many criminal cases. I also thought that the article did a good job explaining why this new type of testing is so good for the forensics community. One thing that I would’ve liked to learn more about is what happens during the actual process of the testing because the article only briefly explained that. I would’ve also liked it if the author drew some more parallels to different cases such as rape, and not just inebriated people going to the hospital. But overall I thought that this article was interesting.

Works cited:

Elsevier. "New 'party pill' test could help authorities keep up with trends in drug (ab)use: New test detects low levels of psychoactive drugs in urine and plasma." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 November 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151125084008.htm>.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151125084008.htm

Facial Recognition Technology Proves Its Mettle

Michigan State University. "Facial-recognition technology proves its mettle." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 May 2013. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130524142549.htm>.

It was recently uncovered that Facial-Recognition technology may not be as accurate as we may think. For one, facial recognition software is very picky, if you were to use a picture in different lighting or with a varying facial expression or angle, the software may not pick up on the similarities. The fickle nature of this software means that it has much fewer applications than would would think. According to the article, facial recognition software will only really work if the suspect is facing the camera in the right lighting, otherwise efforts could prove to be unsuccessful.  This does not mean that the software is not useful, however, in an experiment at Michigan State University, the software was able to identify one of the Boston Bombers, while the older brother was not able to be identified since he was wearing sun glasses. If it came down to it, the software could be used to identify criminals if a security camera was able to get good enough footage. When the conditions are right, the accuracy of identification is said to be 99%. In addition to facial recognition software, the article also mentions software that could be used to identify and match tattoos, which could prove to be a success if facial recognition is not successful.

I believe that this article is significant to the future of forensics and our society as a whole because the technology described in it can be used to identify criminals and terrorists in the future. If it could be improved, it could prove to be a lot more useful in the future when it really is needed. I found the tattoo identification technology to be useful as well, since it could be used accurately when facial recognition proves to be fruitless.

I found this article very interesting to read, and was impressed by the technology reviewed in it, even if it did have many shortfalls. I found the tattoo identification technology to be very interesting since I didn’t know that it even existed. I think that the topics covered in this article were both relevant and useful to the identification of suspects, and will hopefully prove to make a big difference in the future.

Identifying Gender from a Fingerprint

I read the article “Identifying Gender From a Fingerprint.” It is about how in a study from the students from the University of Alabama, the team has tried to figure out ways to identify someone’s gender based on the unique fingerprints left behind during a crime scene investigation. Fingerprints for the investigators have always been a way to identify someone, and now scientists are trying to find new ways to figure out more information based on the prints. The students at the University of Alabama have tried to figure out gender by using the amount of amino acids found on the print by heating the fingerprint surface to 40 degrees celsius which causes the amino acids to lift off. The amino acids would then be sprayed with a chemical dye which oxidizes to a certain color based on the concentration. Females typically have a higher concentration of amino acids, and this test was found to work 99% of the time.

This finding can be very helpful to investigators because they can quickly identify the gender of the person who left behind the print. This can rule out suspects fairly quickly of the opposite gender. The team who performed the experiment says that this is also useful because it is quite easy to use and doesn’t require someone to be trained specially. Since in crime scenes, most contain fingerprints, it would be useful to get a lot of useful info out of a single print.

This article was quite interesting and gave a lot of background information. However, when it describes the test efficiency/how well it worked, the team stated that it worked for 99% of the time. It could have been more thorough in telling us why there was a 1% error in the testing, or what went wrong. Then it could talk of ways that the scientists are working to improve the new way to get gender (how they are going to try and eliminate the error so it will work all the time). This article could have included more quotes and include perhaps several cases where this tech was helpful.

Identifying Gender From a Fingerprint

http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2015/11/identifying-gender-fingerprint

Augenstein, Seth. "Identifying Gender From a Fingerprint." Forensic Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2015.

Fingerprints have always helped a lot in the field of forensics forensics.  They help in identifying anyone who may have something to do with the crime at the crime scene.  Recently, researchers have been looking for ways to pull more information from fingerprints.  Race, and exposure to drugs and explosives have been the focus of certain studies, however, gender can now be determined as well.  This study was published by the University of Albany team. There is a very specific procedure to this that has to do with the concentration of amino acids.  First, you have to heat the fingerprint surface to 40 degrees celsius.  This will force the amino acids to separate out of the print.  Then, the sample is analyzed with a chemical dye that oxidized to a telltale color based on the concentration of amino acids.  Females have more amino acids than males.  Overall, the test proved 99 percent effective.  The team writes that, “It provides a quick male/female response and can be performed on-site.”  

This article is very significant to humanity as a whole.  These results we get by this discovery narrow down the possibilities in a suspect pool in a quick and timely manner when there is not matching fingerprint image or DNA profile in the corresponding databases.  Also, there is no need for excessive training for this procedure, so it can be used by any members of the law enforcement.  This will help police more easily determine someone guilty based on hard evidence.    

This article was very interesting to read.  It had short, simple paragraphs that helped readers clearly understand this new procedure and the ways in which it benefits us.  It was very helpful that quotes made by professionals were incorporated and not just the author's opinions.   In the end, the author mentioned why and how this new procedure could help us in the future.  He also mentioned that this way of going about forensics is still being tested and needs to be fixed.    

Forensic Science Students Examine and Document a Crime Scene

The Forensic Science class has been examining, documenting and photographing a crime scene in their current unit of study. The students work the scene in teams of two to three students. Each team is given one eighty minute period to document the scene by itemizing, describing and photographing the evidence found in the class room. When completed they will write an investigative report that will include they hypothesis as to what the evidence indicated occurred in the room.

As they move through the scene they will prepare four different crime scene forms:

[1] Crime Scene Disposition Form - in which each piece of physical evidence is assigned a unique identifying number/letter, described and earmarked for specific tests (fingerprints, DNA, drugs etc.) when the evidence is gathered and returned to the lab.
[2] Crime Scene Measurement Form - in which each piece of evidence's position is precisely located by measuring its distance from two points in the room.
[3] Crime Scene Photograph Form - in which each piece of evidence is photographed and that photograph is hyperlinked to the evidence description in the log.
[4] Crime Scene Rough Sketch Form - in which a bird's eye, not to scale replica of the crime scene and all the evidence is produced.

Bloody foot prints leading from the table where an altercation occurred.

Bullet casing.

Left side of table where the homicide victim was found seated.

Right side of table where the homicide victim was found seated.

Spent projectile on window sill behind homicide victim.

Robert catalogs the physical evidence on the table, while Daniel is entering his data into the digital forms.

Jack was given the task of measuring the positions of all the physical evidence. Daniel is assigning item numbers to the evidence, writing descriptions and deciding on what the disposition of the evidence should be once it arrives in the lab.

Jack and Robert examine the ledge behind the homicide victim

Sophia and Jack examine the evidence on the table before the homicide victim.

Building a Face, and a Case, on DNA

Gianna DiMinno Forensics

   

Building a Face, and a Case, on DNA  

I read the article, “Building a Face, and a Case, on DNA” by Andrew Pollack. The article grabbed me within the first paragraph. “There were no known eyewitnesses to the murder of a young woman and her 3-year-old daughter four years ago. No security cameras caught a figure coming or going.” (Pollack, 2015). Imagine having a wife and a daughter that was murdered, but the killer who was responsible for it was still on the streets. This article is about the importance of being able to find a perp by description, DNA, and sketches of suspects. An artist’s sketches is based on eyewitnesses descriptions which would allow the face to be generated by a computer that relied solely on DNA that was found at the scene of the crime. The police had shown the sketch of the suspect to the public, hoping for someone to know further information. Investigators are known for being able to determine the physical characteristics of crime suspects from the DNA that they leave behind which provides a powerful new tool for law enforcement.

Genetic Sleuths, which are DNA investigators, are able to determine a suspect’s eye and hair color. Eventually, they will be able to determine if the suspect had freckles, baldness, curly hair, tooth shape, and as well as age by using their DNA that was left at the crime scene. Also, computers, later in time, will be able to match faces that are generated from DNA to faces in a database of mug shots which will make the process of catching a perp so much faster. It also narrows down the suspects to a limited amount. The development of these tools are a major cost. Indiana UNiversity and Purdue University Indianapolis was just given a 1.1 million dollar grant from the Department of Justice to develop these tools. Some speculating that is going around is forensic DNA phenotyping. Some scientists have questioned the accuracy of the technology, including its ability to recreate facial images.

DNA has been used to hunt down suspects or to convict people for more than two decades. This meant matching a suspect’s DNA to the DNA found at a crime scene. But DNA phenotyping is much different. It is an attempt to determine physical traits from genetic material that was left at the crime scene. Researchers are zoning in on specific physical traits with a system called HIrisPlex. It was developed at Erasmus University MC Medical Center in the Netherlands and it is 94 percent accurate in determining if a person has blue or brown eyes. It analyzes 24 genetic variants and is about 75% accurate with hair color.

I enjoyed reading this article because it grabbed my attention quickly and it was informing. I personally believe that it would be awful not knowing who the person responsible was for killing my daughter, which was talked about at the beginning of my review. This new development of technology ables us to find the person responsible quickly and efficiently. Even though some scientists are against advancing technology because it isn’t ‘accurate’, doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth giving a shot. I think one strength in this article was the attention grabber and the part when it describes some cases that was involved with this new technology and had succeeded. One weakness about this article was that towards the middle I got a little boring because after 6 cases of learning how it was used, I understood it and it got to the point where I wanted to read how it didn’t work so I could understand the positive and negatives of this development of technology. I think these ideas are going to be very useful in society and it will help us find murderers that are walking on the streets.

Pollack, Andrew. "Building a Face, and a Case, on DNA." The New York Times. The New York Times, 23 Feb. 2015. Web. 18 Nov. 2015.

How Police Can Get Your Deleted Texts, like They Got Kyle Navin's.

http://wwlp.com/2015/11/04/how-police-can-get-your-deleted-texts-like-they-got-kyle-navins/?

Pierce, Kent. "How Police Can Get Your Deleted Texts, like They Got Kyle Navin's." WWLPcom. N.p., 04 Nov. 2015. Web. 18 Nov. 2015.

On November 3, 2015, Kyle Navin was put on trial for two counts of murder in the deaths of his parents, Jeanette and Jeffrey Navin. The parents went missing in August of this year, and the bodies were eventually found, outside a vacant house in their neighboring town of Weston, Connecticut, on October 29th. It is assumed that Kyle Navin’s motive was that he was threatened by his parents to be cut from their wills. Aside from the details of the murder itself, the article focuses on the evidence that led to Kyle Navin being formally charged. This evidence consists of text messages that the police got from his phone, even messages that had long been deleted. The deleted texts `were accessed by investigators using a new kind of software that is having a huge impact on law enforcement. The software, when connected to a cell phone, needs only 2-3 minutes to download every deleted photo, video, or text that has ever been on the phone. Computer experts say that it is possible to completely wipe out phones, but it would have to be done several times, and even then it wouldn’t guaranteed. Apparently Navin had deleted several text messages that had indicated that he had murdered his parents; the texts were recovered by computer expert investigators.

The contents of this article is extremely relevant in everyone’s lives. Most of us use cellular devices, such as iPhones, to take pictures, videos, and to communicate via text. We are usually under the expression that the texts, photos, or videos that we delete are gone forever, but this article just proves how easy it is for investigators to recover all those things in just the matter of a few minutes. It is good that investigators can use this new software program to find evidence to prosecute suspects, however, it is also shocking to see how easily computer experts can uncover past information that we had no intention for anyone to see.

I think the author did a good job presenting the case and its relevance to each and every one of us. It is interesting to see that humanly trace evidence, such as DNA from blood, is not the only evidence that leads investigators to come to conclusions on a certain case. It was amazing to read how Navin’s uncovered text messages played such a significant role in his case. The article could have gone more into depth about what the texts had said specifically, but we did get a brief idea which was enough to understand why his texts made all the difference in his trial.