Remains Found in Alabama in 2012 Identified as Georgia Woman

 

Lily Moore

1-19-22

Forensics D Even 

Current Event 8 

 

            “Remains Found in Alabama in 2012 Identified as Georgia Woman.” AP NEWS, Associated Press, 13 Jan. 2022, https://apnews.com/article/alabama-georgia-forensics-talladega-a7dbd80119264490a41905aa4211caba. 

Recently, human remains, that are almost a decade old, were found at an abandoned house near the Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln Alabama during a race weekend. A deputy spotted an open door in a vacant home a few miles from the race track and stopped to investigate, locating the remains behind the house. There was no identification on the body and the remains were too decomposed to collect fingerprints. Last Thursday, officials stated that the remains have been identified of those of a Georgia woman. And thanks to DNA testing, scientists were able to confirm that the body was Jean Turner Ponders from Rosewell, Georgia. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences determined that Ponders was around the age of 67 and likely had lung cancer. Initially, when authorities had to identify the body, they entered information into a national database of missing persons, however, they didn’t find any matches. Once a TV network reported that Ponder’s sister had reported Jean missing after not hearing from her for 3 years. The Tallagada County town of Lincoln then used advanced DNA testing to match DNA from the body to relatives of Ponder. 

Throughout the article, I noticed many strengths and weaknesses. For example, one strength I found was that the article was nice and short, making it easier to read. Because the article was so short, it made it a lot easier to write the summary. The article was straight to the point and never got off-topic. However, one improvement I think the article could use is that the writer(s) can fix the organization/layout. Personally, I thought that many of the details were too spread out and the article was constantly switching from one piece of information to the next. If the same pieces of information were continuous throughout the article, then it would be a little less confusing and more organized. Another improvement the article could use is that I was hoping it would explain more about the advanced DNA testing that was used, explain what it is, how it’s used, and how it was significantly important towards this case. 

For the past several years, advanced DNA testing has improved more and more. Today, there are many DNA testing kits that can help to trace your roots and heritage, while also helping you to find relatives. Advanced DNA testing has helped many investigators as DNA can be used to identify criminals with incredible accuracy when biological evidence exists. DNA can be used to clear suspects and exonerate persons mistakenly accused or convicted of crimes. DNA testing has also been used to identify unknown victims/bodies. Overall, DNA testing is important for forensic scientists as it helps to identify unknown victims and criminals.

Gabby Petito's Death Ruled a Homicide, F.B.I. Confirms

 

Spencer McCormick                                                                                       1/19/21

Forensics                                                                                                        Current Event 8 

Jiménez, Jesus. “Gabby Petito's Death Ruled a Homicide, F.B.I. Confirms.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 21 Sept. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/21/us/gabby-petito-homicide.html. 

 

            I choose to review this article because it is a very relevant forensics case in the United States right now. The article talks about Gabby Petito and her fiance Brian Laundrie went on a cross country trip and planned on visiting the west coast. Throughout the trip there was an altercation with the two that led to a fight between the two. Police interviewed but thought that it did not escalate to the point of domestic violence. Soon after that Petitos family lost contact with her and she was believed to be in a National Park in Wyoming. After she was missing for a couple of days and the fiance was not giving up any information on her whereabouts her remains were found. "Full forensic identification has not been completed to confirm 100% that we found Gabby, but her family has been notified of this discovery," Charles Jones, FBI Denver's supervisory senior resident agent in Wyoming, says.

            The article shocked the country as a whole and led to an outcry for finding Gabby before it was too late. I remember  waking up and seeing this case in the news. It is definitely very shocking to the public that although not confirmed it looks very much that her Finance ended up killing her. This also shows that forensic investigation is getting very good to the point that they can track down an area where the body might be and find it somewhat quickly. 

            Strengths of the article were the great quotes that were provided from the police officials. Some weaknesses were the details surrounding the forensic process used in order to determine if the  body they found was really her. An improvement would be to write more about the finance and what the circumstances surrounding him are.  

Criminal Investigation into Deadly Crowd Surge at Astroworld Festival Could Take Weeks, Mayor Says

 

Alex Dessart

Mr. Ippolito

Current Event 9

 

Flores, Rosa, and Joe Sutton. “Criminal Investigation into Deadly Crowd Surge at Astroworld Festival Could Take Weeks, Mayor Says.” CNN, Cable News Network, 8 Nov. 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/08/us/houston-astroworld-festival-monday/index.html.  

 

A criminal investigation just began after a crowd surge at a Houston musical festival that left eight people dead and several more injured. Mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner said authorities were working to determine the issue behind the Astroworld Festival. Travis Scott, who the festival is based around, was due to perform at 9pm, where thousands of fans rushed to the center of the stage. The fans at the front were pressed against the fences and fellow people. They were unable to escape anywhere and their lungs became too compressed to take in oxygen. Scenes of people were crushed and trampled as calls for help were swallowed by the loud performances. Eight people - from 14 to 27 years old - died. “There's a criminal investigation underway at this point in time," Turner told CNN. 

            A concertgoer has filed a lawsuit against Scott’s entertainment company and a concert promoter, seeking $1 million for injuries sustained at the show. Manuel Souza, a concert attendee, suffered serious injuries while being trampled by the chaotic crowd. The concert conductor failed to properly plan the setting in a safe manner and Kylie Jenner, his wife, shared they were not aware of the Astroworld fatalities during the concert. The victims of the concert are continuing to be identified and mourn those lost. 

            This article had many strengths along with weaknesses. It very well described the negative effects of the concert, yet could have better described the actual setting of the concert. It was very organized and in chronological order, making it a simplistic read. I would suggest using more imagery to capture the scene and eeriness of the concert, otherwise I thought the article was overall interesting to read.