posted for Ruby Howell
Mr. Ippolito
Forensics Current Event #3
September 24th, 2019
Wilson, Clare. “Bacteria Could Identify Month-Old Suspicious Stains at Crime Scenes.” New Scientist, Health, 13 May 2019, www.newscientist.com/article/2202640-bacteria-could-identify-month-old-suspicious-stains-at-crime-scenes/.
In the recent article, Author Clare Wilson dives into the importance of stains found at crime scenes, and their importance in solving the crime. Titled, “Bacteria Could Identify Month-Old Suspicious Stains at Crime Scenes.”, the author provides significant research regarding the processes in which investigators go through in order to solve the crime that was committed. Wilson mentions how there is more than meets the eye when it comes to crime scenes, touching on how even the smallest amounts of DNA trace evidence can make the difference in finding the culprit of the crime:“If you see something that looks like a trace, you want to know if it’s important,”.
The article explained that when bacteria is found at a crime scene, it must be tested for a variety of things. For example, it must be tested for any present toxic chemicals or drugs. These tests are known to take a couple of weeks, some even lasting for months. The author even mentions one of the tests used in studying bacteria found at crime scenes, such as using Luminol spray. The article explained that although this method can reveal blood spots it is in no way a completely reliable test because it is easily reactable with other substances around it. While explaining the scientific part of the use of bacteria in the investigation of crime scenes, the article also mentioned the legal side of this data collecting. According to the author, "The legal aspect of forensic testing separates it from clinical testing,", going on to explain that because the data could potentially be used in a court of law, there are some surprising legal requirements when it comes to recording data from a crime scene. Forensic scientists must use the “chain of custody”, meaning that there is a legal document created to record the testing and analysis of the data.
Overall, the article did an excellent job explaining not only the scientific aspect of data collecting at crime scenes, but also expressing the legal side. While I did enjoy reading about the legal side of the article, the author did not go into much detail about the scientific part, and only discussed the broader aspects of studying bacteria data at a crime scene. In the future I would like to find a more scientific article that focused more on the DNA part of crime scene investigations, rather than the legal side.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Madison Meehan
9/25/19
Mr. Ippolito D odd
Current Event 3
Victor, Daniel. “‘Daytona Beach Serial Killer’ Suspect Is Arrested.” The New York Times, The
New York Times, 17 Sept. 2019,
In this article, Daniel Victor discussed the arrest of a serial killer in Palm Beach County, Florida. The suspect, Robert Hayes, was accused of the strangulation of Rachel Bay whose body was found in 2016. Not only did the police arrest Hayes because of this murder, but they found his DNA linked to two unsolved killings of women in Daytona Beach in 2005 and 2006. This breakthrough in all the cases was due to genetic genealogy, “the technique of tying suspects to DNA using samples that have been voluntarily submitted to commercial genealogy sites by their relatives.” The police in Palm Beach followed Hayes and performed a DNA test on a cigarette butt of his and the DNA matched the DNA in all of the cases, therefore making him the culprit.
The use of forensic science in these cases helped the police find Hayes and keep him from hurting or killing anymore people. Although genetic genealogy “raised ethical and legal concerns”, the use of it in the cases was crucial. Although, as Victor did point out, genetic genealogy is not the most popular method, it did end up solving the case, keeping a guilty man off the streets.
The author summarized the events very well and explained how they caught Hayes in a very clear way. I very easily followed the story line and learned a lot about how they used forensic science to help convict a guilty man. Some weaknesses with the article were a lack of connection between the different cases. I believe the author could have talked more about Haye’s motive to complete the article in a proper way. Some suggestions I have to make the article better would be a stronger ending and maybe to make it a little more intriguing to the reader. Also, even though Daniel Victor did explain what genetic genealogy was, he could have explained the process in greater detail.
Monday, September 23, 2019
Charlotte Dotson
Mr. Ippolito
September 23, 2019
Current Event 3
Murphy, Heather. “Why This Scientist Keeps Receiving Packages of Serial Killers' Hair.” The New
York Times, The New York Times, 16 Sept. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/science/hair-dna-murder.html?rref=collection/timestopic/ForensicScience&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection.
In this article, “Why This Scientist Keep Recieving Packages of Serial Killers’ Hair” Journalist Heather Murphy describes a scientific breakthrough in forensic science. Ed Green, a paleogeneticist at the Univeristy of Califonria, has discovered a way to match hair strangs to a suspect.
In the past, scientists have only been able to match a hait strand to a suspect if the hair contained a root. Though most people lose 50-100 strands of hair a day, very few of the strands have a root making them virtually useless to forensic scientsis. Now, with Ed Green’s discovery, law enforcement can finally put the baundance of hair strands they have collected to good use.
Over the past 18 months, Mr. Green has been working with law enfrocement to solve previosuly unsolvable cases using his hair identification tactic. Though he is not at liberty to say who specifically he is working with or what cases he is working on, Mr. Green is working with the FBI. The effectivness of this new technique is an important breakthrough in forensic science, but it has led to privacy conerns. If non law enforcement personell learn to identify people by a strand of hair it will be practically impossible to move throughout the world without leaving a trace. Additionally, because the technique is relatively new its rate of accuracy is not known. There are concerns among the scientific community that the use of hair identification could lead to wrongful convictions.
The one change I would make is that Heather Murphy did not provide clear details as to how exactly scientists can use hair strands to identify people. She briefly touched on the subject, but I wish she had gone into more depth. I found this article to be very interesting. I, along with most people, understand that our fingerprints can be used to identify us, but I never thought of hair in the same way. On the one hand it is advntageous to law enforcement and citizen’s safety that more crimnals will be caught, however I understand the privacy concern. It is midly concerning that with a single strand of hair, law enforcement can tell where a person has been. If this method is found to be accurate and upheld in court, I predict it would prove to be a useful and frequently used test.
Saturday, September 21, 2019
“Why This Scientist Keeps Receiving Packages of Serial Killers' Hair” by Heather Murphy
Molly Palma
Mr. Ippolito
Forensics C Odd
Current Event Three
Murphy, Heather. “Why This Scientist Keeps Receiving Packages of Serial Killers' Hair.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 16 Sept. 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/science/hair-dna-murder.html?searchResultPosition=1
It’s a work in progress but Dr. Green from the University of California in Santa Cruz might’ve just solved a problem believed to be insolvable in the world of forensics. Usually when forensic scientists leave a crime scene with hair samples, they are left frustrated. In order for a strand of hair to serve purpose in a lab, they must be pulled from the root of the head, because that’s the source of the genetic information. Dr. Green is working against this and has figured out how to read DNA information from any strand of hair. He’s had people from law-enforcement delivering hair to his lab and he’s created DNA profiles with it, just like samples of saliva would. Dr. Green is unable to publicize his techniques in his process before he’s certain of what works, but Dr. Green’s discovery has already become a breakthrough. This process will likely be utilized in private cases though. According to Murphy “each hair costs several thousand dollars to sequence, and that’s before hiring a genetic genealogist to try to identify its source”. Maybe processes will become easier in the future regarding this specific study and the technology will be open for use other than those with such wealth.
Dr. Green’s breakthrough relates back to the current conversation about DNA sites, like GEDmatch or Full Genomes. In order to create a DNA profile on sites like this and link suspect, it’s necessary to have DNA samples. Saliva and blood might not be the only ways that fulfil the procedures asked for by the site; if Dr. Green is able to regularly extract DNA through unrooted hair, it can be helpful legally, provided the source is able to afford lab expenses. Murphy said that “there are 200,000 to 250,000 cold cases in the United States… and even if hair was collected in just 10 percent, that’s 20,000 cases that could benefit”. Benefiting forensic science can benefit the justice system as well. Murphy communicated how many criminals don’t think to shave their head. If this Dr. Green’s system pulls through, many careless criminals will be caught.
It is important that Ms. Murphy addressed the difference between mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA. Mitochondrial DNA has already been found through unrooted strands of hair. Though, it serves one purpose: connecting mother and child. Nuclear DNA is the DNA that can link suspect through distant relatives. It was interesting how Dr. Green connected these definitions through an anecdote about Dr. Rae-Venter’s boredom after heart surgery. The author sought to contextualize Dr. Green through accomplishments made in the past. It gave him credentiality that he didn’t necessarily need more of. At the beginning of the article, Murphy acknowledged that this discovery is “game-changer” to the world of forensics. Later she followed up with the fact that “he was involved in sequencing the entire Neanderthal genome from shards of bone that were at least 38,000 years old”. This deters from her central point, which is about Dr. Green’s research in hair. To improve on her work, the author might try and trim down her language, so it is a lighter read for someone who doesn’t regularly immerse themselves in forensics.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Jillian Hoffman
Mr. Ippolito
Forensics C odd/Current event#2
September 12, 2019
Citation:
Randle, Aaron. “Why N.Y.P.D'S DNA DataBase Has Some People Worried.” 2019.
In this New York Times article by Aaron Ranedel, he raises a privacy and trust concern that is scaring many New Yorker’s. Randle talks about how N.Y.P.D is growing their database known as the local DNA index system and it has 82,473 profiles an increased 29 percent in the past two years.
As concerning as it may be for New Yorkers, the NYPD stated that they have more than 31,000 profiles of children and adults who had been previously suspected, but not convicted in a crime. They further said that they have used these profiles to solve over 270 cases that later occurred. For an example, NYPD stated in 2014 a man was convicted of raping a woman, they were able to conclude the DNA his after it was previously found in another robbery and, they had his DNA on file. Chief of the forensic science in Brooklyn said “Without having that resource, we would never have been able to identify one of the attackers in that case”. Therefore, the NYPD’s argument for randomly collecting DNA is believed to have benefited the people of New York City.
However, a man named Eric Bellamy to reporters he was disturbed when NYPD came to his house in 2016 with our a warrant saying they needed his DNA to clear him from a crime. Another man named Maurice Syllas said said detectives came to his home and started asking about his family's imagration, stating “No reason to invade my privacy,” he said. Many are arguing that it comes down to the matter of privacy and respect for one's personal information and the relevance of that information to the investigation to a current crime.
Overall, I found the article’s subject matter to be interesting; and it's hard to decide which side to standby as one help solves serious crimes such as sexual assault and homicide, it may also invade some privacy by capturing more information than necessary. While I thought the article was well written could have used more substance to build a better argument for a specific side.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
How Volunteer Sleuths Identified a Hiker and Her Killer After 36 Years
Lorelei Heath
Mr. Ippolito
Forensic 11 c-odd
9.17.19
Current Event 2
Citation:
Murphy, Heather. “How Volunteer Sleuths Identified a Hiker and Her Killer After 36 Years”, The New York Times, 11 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/05/11/us/cold-case-genealogy-dna.html.
In this article, written by Heather Murphy, she explains how the case of a Jane Doe from 1982 was solved. Jane Doe was shot in the forest near Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately, they were not able to identify her at the time of her death but knew certain characteristics. “She was in her 20’s or 30’s, 5 ½ feet tall, with hazel eyes and brown hair” (Murphy, 2019, para. 4). Nearly 36 years later, the Washo County Sheriff’s office identified Jane Doe and her killer. Jane Doe’s real name was Mary Edith Silvani born in September of 1948. Her killer was James Richard Curry born in 1946. The Sheriff’s office used a technique involving genetic genealogy to identify Mary and James. Relatives of Mary and James were the key to solving this cold case. Genealogy websites played an intricate part as well. This method has been popular over the past year used to help solve several cold cases. This case was the first time both victim and killer were named.
The forensic evidence showed Mary Edith Silvani in the mountains that ran along the border of California and Nevada. There were footprints that she and her killer walked about a mile away from the main road to a location known as Sheep’s Flat. Mary was found near a log, shot in the back of the head. The autopsy found semen, what appeared to be salad in her stomach and her dental work suggested that she was European. The evidence collected at the time of her death was not able to identify her. In 1982, DNA was not used as it is today. This article affects the development of forensic science by showing how DNA has evolved over the last 30 years. As you can see, in 1982 the police had DNA but were not able to test it. In 2018, forensic genealogist, Colleen Fitzpatrick developed a method for identifying DNA. The use of a database called GEDmatch was used to upload DNA and find relatives. They opened this database up to law enforcement which helped in solving cold cases. They found semen at the scene of the crime and it wasn’t until 2018 that they were able to test it. This is what they used to identify the killer.
I found the article to be interesting but poorly written. Murphy informed me about the use of forensic science through DNA and how it identified Mary and James 36 years later. Having the ability to use DNA to solve cases is extremely important. I am happy we have the technology and resources that give us the ability to use all of the forensic science at crime scenes. I felt the article was poorly written. The author’s writing was choppy and her style confusing. I had to read the article several times to fully understand the case.
Daytona Beach Serial Killer' Suspect Is Arrested
Esther Devitt
September 17, 2019
Forensics D-Odd
Current Event #2
Victor, Daniel. “'Daytona Beach Serial Killer' Suspect Is Arrested.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 Sept. 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/17/us/daytona-beach-serial-killer-arrested.html?rref=collection/timestopic/Forensic Science&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection.
In this article, Daniel Victor discusses a man, Robert Hayes, who was just arrested on Sunday for murders that he committed in 2005, 2006, and 2016. Laquetta Gunther, Julie Green, and Iwana Patton were all prostitutes that were found shot in the head between 2005 and 2006 in Dayton Beach, Rachel Bey, also a prostitute was more recently found in 2016 strangled to death with a broken jaw in Palm Beach. Although Hayes was questioned during the 2005 and 2006 killings but was never charged for the murder of these women. These murders were finally linked back to Hayes through new advancements in genetic genealogy, "the technique of tying suspects to DNA using samples that have been voluntarily submitted to commercial genealogy sites by their relatives". The DNA taken from Bey's sexual battery kit was finally linked to him when investigators tested a used cigarette butt from him which matched to the DNA from the sexual battery kit. Although Hayes is only charged with the murder of Rachel Bey as of now, DNA found from the murders of the 3 women in 2005 and 2006 and Bey's kit have matched, which will hopefully prove Hayes guilty of all 4 murders.
Unfortunately, murders are sitting cold every year because of lack of evidence in a case which lets murderers live freely and possibly commit more terrible crimes. Although it is under terrible circumstances, it is also very exciting that more cold cases are beginning to get solved because of the new advancements in the genetic genealogy technology. While some people disagree with this new method because it is taking information from sites such as "23 and me" who have participates send in DNA to learn more about their background or family tree, it has overall seemed to be a big step in solving murders that previously did not have enough DNA or information.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this piece and thought it was very well written, while the article was very concise, it still touched upon all the important facts about the case and explained the new types of genetic genealogy that is being used. If I could change one thing about the article I wish there was more information on how the new genetic testing was actually used in this case, like which of his relatives DNA was originally linked to this case through him.
September 17, 2019
Forensics D-Odd
Current Event #2
Victor, Daniel. “'Daytona Beach Serial Killer' Suspect Is Arrested.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 17 Sept. 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/17/us/daytona-beach-serial-killer-arrested.html?rref=collection/timestopic/Forensic Science&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection.
In this article, Daniel Victor discusses a man, Robert Hayes, who was just arrested on Sunday for murders that he committed in 2005, 2006, and 2016. Laquetta Gunther, Julie Green, and Iwana Patton were all prostitutes that were found shot in the head between 2005 and 2006 in Dayton Beach, Rachel Bey, also a prostitute was more recently found in 2016 strangled to death with a broken jaw in Palm Beach. Although Hayes was questioned during the 2005 and 2006 killings but was never charged for the murder of these women. These murders were finally linked back to Hayes through new advancements in genetic genealogy, "the technique of tying suspects to DNA using samples that have been voluntarily submitted to commercial genealogy sites by their relatives". The DNA taken from Bey's sexual battery kit was finally linked to him when investigators tested a used cigarette butt from him which matched to the DNA from the sexual battery kit. Although Hayes is only charged with the murder of Rachel Bey as of now, DNA found from the murders of the 3 women in 2005 and 2006 and Bey's kit have matched, which will hopefully prove Hayes guilty of all 4 murders.
Unfortunately, murders are sitting cold every year because of lack of evidence in a case which lets murderers live freely and possibly commit more terrible crimes. Although it is under terrible circumstances, it is also very exciting that more cold cases are beginning to get solved because of the new advancements in the genetic genealogy technology. While some people disagree with this new method because it is taking information from sites such as "23 and me" who have participates send in DNA to learn more about their background or family tree, it has overall seemed to be a big step in solving murders that previously did not have enough DNA or information.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this piece and thought it was very well written, while the article was very concise, it still touched upon all the important facts about the case and explained the new types of genetic genealogy that is being used. If I could change one thing about the article I wish there was more information on how the new genetic testing was actually used in this case, like which of his relatives DNA was originally linked to this case through him.
Jennifer Dulos: Blood Found in Trash Matches That of Missing Connecticut Mother of 5
Jimmy Hennessy
Mr. Ippolito
Forensics C Odd
September 17th, 2019
Jennifer Dulos: Blood Found in Trash Matches That of Missing Connecticut Mother of Jennifer Dulos: Blood Found in Trash Matches That of Missing Connecticut Mother of 5” Gold, Michael. The New York Times , 3 June 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/03/nyregion/missing-mom-jennifer-dulos.html
Following the increasing evidence and stories, Gold speaks to the recent and most accurate facts in his article, “Jennifer Dulos: Inside the Turbulent Marriage of the Missing Connecticut Mother of 5” following Jennifer Dulos’ case. Mother of five, Jennifer Dulos disappeared on May 24th after dropping her kids off at school. Jennifer Dulos has been in a two year ugly divorce with her husband Fotis battling for custody. Jennifer claims she was worries about Fotis’s, “irrational, unsafe, bullying, threatening and controlling behavior.” The night Dulos went missing police found “blood stains and splatters at her home that would lead them to conclude she had been the victim of a serious physical assault.” On that same night, they have Dulos and his girlfriend dumping bags in dumpsters throughout Hartford, Connecticut. Police searched these bags finding blood stains of Jennifers and sponges. Next, Dulos and Michelle Troconis were arrested on charges of hindering prosecution evidence and tampering. Soon after they found Jennifer's missing Black Chevrolet Suburban in Waveny Park. The last major piece of evidence to note was blood splatter in Jennifers garage. Detectives also found evidence that someone had attempted to clean the crime scene. Searching all of Connecticut police still cannot find Jennifer’s body.
DNA evidence is everything to a forensic scientist, and there is lots of it in this case. For example, it is shocking how they can trace Jennifer's DNA through the fosit in her kitchen. And how the detectives were able to detect soap as a result of trying to clean blood. However, not being able to find Jennifer's body has prevented detectives and the police to charge Fotis with Murder. But, with evidence from Jennifer's home, the night where He dropped off several bags of blood and Jennifers clearly presented fear of her safety from her husband my guess is police will be charging Fotis with the murder of his wife.
Consequently, I think this article was really well written and did a great job of describing each specific event in the timeline in this case. I also thought, Gold did a great job in describing each person's case and not being a bias towards Jennifer or Fotis. Some areas where this article falls short is describing what is next for this case ; and also what the most likely next events are for Fotis following his court appearances. To improve this article I would try and better describe the technology and procedures that went into the DNA and blood investigation for detectives to conclude all this information. For example, briefly talking about how they matches Jennifer's blood to the stains on the clothing or Garage. This would improve the technicality of the article and therefore better the readers understanding.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
What Experts Know About People Who Commit Mass Shootings
Clara DeMagalhaes
Current Event #2
Carey, Benedict. “What Experts Know About People Who Commit Mass Shootings.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 5 Aug. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/health/mass-shootings-mental-health.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FForensic%2BScience&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection.
In this article by Benedict Carey, he explores what kind of thought processes and factors cause certain people to resort to mass murdering, specifically mass shootings. Four questions revolving around this topic were discussed. It is found that a single mass shooting can indeed cause others, with many shooters evidently having studied previous crimes and often mimicking actions and tactics. Forensic psychologists say that “many would-be mass killers see themselves as part of a brotherhood of like-minded, isolated and resentful boys and men. To them, previous mass murderers may be perceived as idols and pioneers”. There were also many scientists who tried discovering if there is a correlation between violent video games and enacting violent crimes. While data is mixed, the bulk of evidence suggests that video games are not responsible for people becoming violent enough to commit mass murder. As for whether mental illnesses are to blame, it is found that only around 20% of mass murderers show evidence of psychosis, whereas the other 80% are simply experiencing normal problems. Lastly, the author discussed whether or not keeping tabs on or confining people who show red flags will prevent more mass murders. It’s not so easy to suspect who will be a potential shooter because there’s no single “profile” of a shooter. While some shooters have displayed expected behavior before committing the crime, it doesn’t speak for all, and scientists are still uncertain on preventative measures.
Mass shootings have become a very large concern in this country in the past few years, and learning what kind of psychological connections make these kind of things happen is important to understanding how to prevent them. This way, scientists can discover preventative measures that are based on a better research foundation than before. Furthermore, the article also helps debunk certain assumptions about what makes criminals tick. For example, many resort to mental illnesses or violent video games as an explanation, even though neither of those constitute for many mass shooters.
I thought that overall, the article was well written and was done in a very engaging manner. I thought that the layout of having four main paragraphs, each addressing a different question that relates to the motivations of mass shooters, was very refreshing and orderly, making it easy to read. However, if there was one thing I would change, it would be to cite more researchers. This is to ensure that the information in the article is more credible, so referring to quotes or specific studies would help with that.
Carey, Benedict. “What Experts Know About People Who Commit Mass Shootings.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 5 Aug. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/08/05/health/mass-shootings-mental-health.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FForensic%2BScience&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=collection.
In this article by Benedict Carey, he explores what kind of thought processes and factors cause certain people to resort to mass murdering, specifically mass shootings. Four questions revolving around this topic were discussed. It is found that a single mass shooting can indeed cause others, with many shooters evidently having studied previous crimes and often mimicking actions and tactics. Forensic psychologists say that “many would-be mass killers see themselves as part of a brotherhood of like-minded, isolated and resentful boys and men. To them, previous mass murderers may be perceived as idols and pioneers”. There were also many scientists who tried discovering if there is a correlation between violent video games and enacting violent crimes. While data is mixed, the bulk of evidence suggests that video games are not responsible for people becoming violent enough to commit mass murder. As for whether mental illnesses are to blame, it is found that only around 20% of mass murderers show evidence of psychosis, whereas the other 80% are simply experiencing normal problems. Lastly, the author discussed whether or not keeping tabs on or confining people who show red flags will prevent more mass murders. It’s not so easy to suspect who will be a potential shooter because there’s no single “profile” of a shooter. While some shooters have displayed expected behavior before committing the crime, it doesn’t speak for all, and scientists are still uncertain on preventative measures.
Mass shootings have become a very large concern in this country in the past few years, and learning what kind of psychological connections make these kind of things happen is important to understanding how to prevent them. This way, scientists can discover preventative measures that are based on a better research foundation than before. Furthermore, the article also helps debunk certain assumptions about what makes criminals tick. For example, many resort to mental illnesses or violent video games as an explanation, even though neither of those constitute for many mass shooters.
I thought that overall, the article was well written and was done in a very engaging manner. I thought that the layout of having four main paragraphs, each addressing a different question that relates to the motivations of mass shooters, was very refreshing and orderly, making it easy to read. However, if there was one thing I would change, it would be to cite more researchers. This is to ensure that the information in the article is more credible, so referring to quotes or specific studies would help with that.
Monday, September 9, 2019
She Was Arrested at 14. Then Her Photo Went to a Facial Recognition Database
Michael Burstein
Mr. Ippolito
Forensics - D Odd / Current Event #1
September 10, 2019
She Was Arrested at 14. Then Her Photo Went to a Facial Recognition Database
Goldstein, Joseph, and Ali Watkins. “She Was Arrested at 14. Then Her Photo Went to a Facial Recognition Database.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 Aug. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/08/01/nyregion/nypd-facial-recognition-children-teenagers.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article.
This article titled “She Was Arrested at 14. Then Her Photo Went to a Facial Recognition Database” by Joseph Goldstein and Ali Watkins looks into the use of facial recognition technology to help solve crimes specifically in New York City and specifically focused around the faces of minors. The title of the piece comes from a girl, who chose only to be identified as Bailey, who admit guilt to an attack that happened when she was 14 years old. At the time, her mugshot was taken and her photo was uploaded into the NYPD database that is used whenever facial recognition is run. The problem discussed in the article is that facial recognition has a hard time accounting for the way people age and the shifts in bone structure. As a result, there are many more mistakes made when identifying teenagers who may have committed a crime. The algorithms aren’t perfect and that is why the NYPD says this software is used solely for identification purposes and that detectives always follow up these leads before making an arrest. In an area like New York City where surveillance plays a big role in fighting crime facial recognition can be extremely helpful and that is not what is being challenged. Rather what is being called into question is the saving of adolescents images into the facial recognition system. In addition, many civil liberties groups are fighting this practice saying that it is unjust to keep these images of minors in the system.
Facial recognition plays a huge role in forensic science. As was previously stated, major cities like New York City rely heavily on surveillance to help capture crimes on video and hopefully identify suspects. It would take countless days and hours to sort through the thousands, possibly millions of images police departments have on file to find a match to the video evidence. That is why these algorithms and software have been created. They can take all the images you may have saved and quickly sort through them looking for a match. The problem remains, and was stated in the article, aging is a major issue and can often return false matches, especially in teenagers, but also people of color and women have a higher chance of misidentification. While facial recognition may be helpful, there needs to be more invested in further developing these algorithms to help ensure a higher percentage of positive matches.
Overall, I thought this article was well-written for the most part. The authors do a really good job of highlighting the issue, giving relevant examples, and addressing all sides of the debate. They have comments from the NYPD, civil liberties groups, as well as a girl who is in the facial recognition system. The authors also noticeably did a good job with their research citing a few times they discovered something while looking through files or legal documents. The one thing I would change about the article is at one point the authors mention the use of facial recognition in other cities such as San Francisco and Detroit. In this part of the piece, they explain why facial recognition is not used as much in those cities. The only thing I’d adjust is I would try to find data to back up the claims that the “...technology...has been shown to have lower accuracy with people with darker skin.” I think if they could include a number, such as the number of misidentifications that would help emphasize the point more.
To Plot My Next Murder, I Went To The Body Farm
Sofia Fenner
Mr. Ippolito
Forensics C Odd
September 10th, 2019
Current Event 1
Citation:
Gardner, Lisa. "To Plot My Next Murder, I Went To The Body Farm" The New York Times, 2019,
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/16/books/review/body-farm-lisa-gardner.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FForensic%20Science&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=collection.
In this article, novelist Lisa Gardner presents her experience with the Body Farm, a research facility dedicated to studying human decomposition. Prior to their demise, people donate their bodies to the Body Farm in order to advance forensic science. There, the bodies are "hanged from trees, submerged in ponds, burned in pits or buried in shallow graves" as experts examine what happens to them as they decompose. The farm was established in the 1980s by Bill Bass, a forensic anthropologist, when he sought out to find a method that would allow him to determine the cause of and time since death in a case. Gardner decides to visit the farm in light of a murder mystery she's been working on. She wants her thriller to be as accurate in its facts and procedures as possible, so she contacts the associate director Lee Jantz, who teaches her what she needs to know. Gardner learns that a funeral home transports the bodies to the farm, that trained forensic anthropologists are able look at a pile of burnt bones and identify the sex, age and the occupation of the deceased, no matter the way in which they were cremated, and that "the pieces of an infant’s skull feel like rose petals in the palm of your hand." I found the fact that changes in our DNA can be seen in our skeletons in as short as 10 years particularly interesting, since mutations occur throughout generations. After having visited the Body Farm, Gardner decides against having the victim in her book burned, seeing as a forensic anthropologist would still be able to identify the body, and comes up with an alternate ending.
In relation to the modern world, this article is relevant in bringing awareness to the facilities around the world that allow for the advance in the field of forensic science. Personally, I had never heard of the Body Farm, so this article was highly educational and interesting for me. It is only through the meticulous observation of decomposing bodies that experts are able to develop the skills to identify a human out of what looks like a few rocks. And these skills allow murders to be solved and criminals to be convicted. The article highlights the importance of the Body Farm to forensic research, despite its gruesome nature.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article because Gardner didn't just spit facts at the reader, but rather she gave her backstory and kept me entertained with her slightly comedic tone. In an attempt to not bore her reader, she steered clear of writing in a case study sort of manner, and instead wrote in a blog-style fashion, which I enjoyed. However, I would have liked to learn more about the process that the bodies go through at the Body Farm, and more details in general regarding the studying of the corpses. My suggestion would be to describe a typical day at the farm to the reader, who at this point, will be curious.
Mr. Ippolito
Forensics C Odd
September 10th, 2019
Current Event 1
Citation:
Gardner, Lisa. "To Plot My Next Murder, I Went To The Body Farm" The New York Times, 2019,
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/16/books/review/body-farm-lisa-gardner.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FForensic%20Science&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=collection.
In this article, novelist Lisa Gardner presents her experience with the Body Farm, a research facility dedicated to studying human decomposition. Prior to their demise, people donate their bodies to the Body Farm in order to advance forensic science. There, the bodies are "hanged from trees, submerged in ponds, burned in pits or buried in shallow graves" as experts examine what happens to them as they decompose. The farm was established in the 1980s by Bill Bass, a forensic anthropologist, when he sought out to find a method that would allow him to determine the cause of and time since death in a case. Gardner decides to visit the farm in light of a murder mystery she's been working on. She wants her thriller to be as accurate in its facts and procedures as possible, so she contacts the associate director Lee Jantz, who teaches her what she needs to know. Gardner learns that a funeral home transports the bodies to the farm, that trained forensic anthropologists are able look at a pile of burnt bones and identify the sex, age and the occupation of the deceased, no matter the way in which they were cremated, and that "the pieces of an infant’s skull feel like rose petals in the palm of your hand." I found the fact that changes in our DNA can be seen in our skeletons in as short as 10 years particularly interesting, since mutations occur throughout generations. After having visited the Body Farm, Gardner decides against having the victim in her book burned, seeing as a forensic anthropologist would still be able to identify the body, and comes up with an alternate ending.
In relation to the modern world, this article is relevant in bringing awareness to the facilities around the world that allow for the advance in the field of forensic science. Personally, I had never heard of the Body Farm, so this article was highly educational and interesting for me. It is only through the meticulous observation of decomposing bodies that experts are able to develop the skills to identify a human out of what looks like a few rocks. And these skills allow murders to be solved and criminals to be convicted. The article highlights the importance of the Body Farm to forensic research, despite its gruesome nature.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article because Gardner didn't just spit facts at the reader, but rather she gave her backstory and kept me entertained with her slightly comedic tone. In an attempt to not bore her reader, she steered clear of writing in a case study sort of manner, and instead wrote in a blog-style fashion, which I enjoyed. However, I would have liked to learn more about the process that the bodies go through at the Body Farm, and more details in general regarding the studying of the corpses. My suggestion would be to describe a typical day at the farm to the reader, who at this point, will be curious.
Charlotte Cagliostro
Mr. Ippolito
Forensics C Odd / Current Event #1
9/10/19
Ransom, Jan, and Ashley Southall. “N.Y.P.D. Detectives Gave a Boy, 12, a Soda. He Landed in a DNA Database.” The New York Times, 15 Aug. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/08/15/nyregion/nypd-dna-database.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FForensic%20Science&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection.
In this NY Times Article, Jan Ransom and Ashley Southall discuss how police departments across the country are collecting thousands of DNA samples without suspects’ consent. In several states, when certain individuals are convicted, arrested, or even just questioned, the police have the legal ability to seize DNA samples without consent, and often exercise that right. They can simply test a cigarette butt or a McDonald’s straw, like they recently did to a 12-year-old boy in New York. All of these DNA samples are then uploaded to a database. Individuals can sue to have their sample be removed through legal petition, but the process takes about a year. The police departments and state governments claim that these databases are good; they provide an unbiased way of proving who is guilty and who is not.
This article is quite relevant in today’s world. We can only expect that, as time passes, more and more DNA samples will be collected, thereby growing the database to new levels. Many argue that this is an invasion of privacy, since many of these samples are not collected with consent. However, government officials and police officers argue that the system only serves to protect the innocent and help prosecute the guilty. It is clear that whatever drawbacks the databases come with, they do make the police departments more efficient.
These authors did an exceptional job presenting this topic. They wrote in a very sophisticated, complex manner, and were able to maintain my interest. I enjoyed how they centered in on one specific case (the 12-year-old boy). However, I think that, at times, their bias became evident, so if I had to critique one thing, I would say that they should refrain from inputting their own opinions into their articles.
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