Tips Sought to Help Identify Human Remains Found in 1994; Artistic Renderings Released.

Maggie Miller

December 4th, 2017

Forensics A/B Odd

Current Event 10

“Tips Sought to Help Identify Human Remains Found in 1994; Artistic Renderings Released.” Forensic Magazine, 30 Nov. 2017, www.forensicmag.com/news/2017/11/tips-sought-help-identify-human-remains-found-1994-artistic-renderings-released.

Michigan State Police have released information about 23 year old human remains, asking help from the public to identify the individual. In October, 1994 a hunter was walking in a wooded area in Alcona County when he came across the remains of an identifiable individual. Anthropologists at Michigan State University are assisting in the investigation to identify the female remains. They are said to be from a 30-50 year old female between 4’7” and 5’6” tall, most likely European/ Caucasian. The skull was found fractured from trauma around the time of death, which was 4 years before the time they were found. DNA samples were collected and posted to the CODIS and National Missing and Unidentified Persons System databases. However, this was not enough to identify the remains. Forensics Artists then became involved to help involve the public, they developed 3 possible sketches of the individuals face following these techniques. Three techniques were used, the first image was a two dimensional sketch drawn in graphite based on anthropological landmarks on the skull which indicated feature shapes. The second image was created through digital rendering aided by a 3D scan of the skull. And the third image was a 3D clay model of the skull, which FBI forensic artists created following a two dimensional approach.

Everyday a new case is released involving a missing or unidentified person. For most people like myself, I think of DNA matching like fingerprints to find a match to the remains. Not many people think about the involvement of the arts in forensic studies, but digital art and graphic work can be essential in identifying victims and suspects involved in a criminal case. New 3D and digital technology has developed incredibly the past few years, that I believe it’s on it’s way to becoming one of the most common factors in identifying individuals.

This article was very interesting to read, mostly because art and forensics are both classes I take this year and am fascinated by, so to see them tie together was very interesting. The article presented a good summary of information on how this method applied to this specific case and how they were developed. However, I felt the article lacked a lot of points that could add to it, such as the previous history of this forensic artistry and how this will impact us in the future. I would suggest readers to also research this in other articles because it’s worthwhile, however it would be easier had these authors of this article provided this assortment of information themselves.

“Forensic Technology Developed in UK Will Make It “Impossible” for Criminals to Destroy Fingerprint Evidence”

Avery Kane 12/4/17

Current event Forensics A/B

https://www.forensicmag.com/news/2017/11/forensic-technology-developed-uk-will-make-it-impossible-criminals-destroy-fingerprint-evidence

The article “Forensic Technology Developed in UK Will Make It “Impossible” for Criminals to Destroy Fingerprint Evidence” talks about a new innovation in forensic science. One of the most popular ways in which criminals can protect their identity is by using special formulas that erase fingerprints from bullets and other items that may be at the crime scene. Also, evidence can be exposed to extreme temperatures that erase fingerprints. With the help of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Dr Paul Kelly and the Loughborough University science department developed a way in which it would be impossible for criminals to erase their fingerprints from evidence. Dr Kelly said the technique, which uses a chemical to uncover prints, has the potential for major advancements in forensic science. The DSTL lead scientist on the project, Steve Thorngate said “Through our work with Loughborough University, the ability to significantly increase fingerprint recovery rates from items recovered will mean criminals will find it impossible to conceal or destroy their fingerprints.” These new discoveries will make it easier for police to recover impressions from problematic crime scenes involving materials exposed to high temperatures, immersed in water, or prints left on deformed surfaces.

These new discoveries have changed the forensic world. Now police and forensic scientists at crime scenes around the globe can identify perpetrators even if they remove fingerprints from pieces of evidence. Or if a piece of evidence that may have fingerprints on it has been exposed to cold or hot temperatures.

I enjoyed reading this article and learned a lot about how this new discovery will positively affect the world. But I wish the article explained the ingredients in the formula that would be used to uncover fingerprints.

Fingerprints lack scientific basis for legal certainty: More research into validity of fingerprint comparisons needed.

Carnegie Mellon University. "Fingerprints lack scientific basis for legal certainty: More research into validity of fingerprint comparisons needed." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 October 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171005111100.htm>.

In the article I read, I learned that new research indicates fingerprint evidence isn’t always conclusie. I thought his was interesting as we’re currently learning about another forensic method that is not considered conclusive conclusive which is bite mark analysis. A study done by the  American Association for the Advancement of Science showed that latent fingerprint analysis collected from crime scenes lack scientific foundation and are indefensible. Collecting latent fingerprints is done by dusting a smooth or nonporous surface with fingerprint powder, photographing them, and lifting them from the surface with clear adhesive tape. The lifting tape is then placed on a latent lift card to preserve the print. The article went on to discuss how while fingerprinting was one of the most commonly used methods in crime scene investigations, but there is no was to scientifically estimate the number of people who have the same characteristics leading some scientists to conclude it has no scientific basis.

This conclusion by one University doesn’y neccesarilychallegge the long history of successful fingerprint analysis in criminal cases. latent fingerprint examiners are able to  rule out most of the population from fingerprint features, but there isn’t a lot of data out there that proves fingerprint features are unique. Thi could affect the forensic community because more tests could be done to find out just how conclusive fingerprint analysis really is, and the future of investigative practices could be changed.

This article overall was informative but a little choppy. There was background information that could’ve been included but wasn’t ,such as what a latent fingerprint is, that I had to look up myself to fully understand. I thought it ended with a very interesting quote : “most forensic disciplines have not been subjected to rigorous scientific study”. This made me a lot more curious about what other investigative practices have not been thoroughly studied.

Posted for L. Monahan

Radiology Offers Clues in Cases of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault

Radiological Society of North America (2017). Radiology Offers Clues in Cases of

Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault. [online] Forensic Magazine. Available at:

https://www.forensicmag.com/news/2017/11/radiology-offers-clues-cases-domest

ic-abuse-and-sexual-assault [Accessed 29 Nov. 2017].

The article I read was from Forensic Magazine, and it discussed the use of radiology (x-rays) to identify victims of domestic violence.  Because one in four women in the US is a victim of intimate partner violence, the doctors in the radiology department of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston were able to see certain injury patterns and decided to investigate.  In a study led by Dr. Bharti Khurana it was discovered that certain types of injuries were characteristic of patients who experienced domestic abuse, such as fractures in the extremities (from defensive attempts) or in the face (which is an easy and common target).  Another indication is when a person has repeatedly suffered the same injury, which is easy to identify because “old, healed fractures look distinct from acute fractures.”  These consistent patterns make x-rays a useful tool for identifying and helping victims of abuse.  The article also gave statistics about the subjects the study, which consisted of two groups.  Of the 87 victims of intimate partner violence, 95% were female, 40% were African American, and the mean age was 34.7 years.  Of the 35 sexual assault victims, the majority were also female and African American (91% and 46% respectively), and had fewer traumatic injuries.  Victims of domestic abuse were also more likely to be homeless, while victims of sexual assault were more likely to suffer from drug abuse.  

This is extremely relevant to the world today because domestic violence is a very common crime, and one that often goes unreported and unpunished, either because the victim is in denial about it, afraid to speak out, or unsure who to turn to.  If doctors can identify signs that a patient might be injured as a result of abuse, they can provide the patient with resources to get help and possibly get out of a dangerous situation.  It might also make prosecution in cases of abuse much easier, as this study (and probably further research) means that things like medical records of fractures can be used as evidence showing that someone has been the victim of abuse.

I thought that the article was really well written, and that it was very clear and easy to follow.  It included a decent amount of quotes and statistics, but nothing too technical for the average person.  It did use the word “radiology” quite frequently before mentioning x-rays, but this wouldn’t be too confusing to anyone unfamiliar with the term because the images of x-rays at the top should remove all doubt.  Overall I thought it was a good and informative piece.  

Jerry Brown Pardons Man Imprisoned for Decades for Murders He Didn’t Commit.

Justin McCarthy
Mr. Ippolito

Forensics Science 12H

Current Event 9: Jerry Brown Pardons Man

Due November 29th, 2017

Hauser, Christine. “Jerry Brown Pardons Man Imprisoned for Decades for Murders He Didn’t Commit.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 23 Nov. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/11/23/us/jerry-brown-pardon-murder.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FForensic%2BScience&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection&_r=0.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/23/us/jerry-brown-pardon-murder.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FForensic%20Science&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection&_r=0

Upon reading the New York Times masterfull journalist Christine Hauser, Hauser states the central idea her article because not just was Craig Coley was wrongfully imprisoned for murder, but because he was found guilty by judges, he spent nearly 50 years behind bars. However, what makes this case so bad is that Mr. Coley was imprisoned for a crime that he did not commit. This crime as stated by Hauser was that Craig was charged with murder. “Rhonda Wicht, 24, who had recently ended their relationship. Ms. Wicht was found beaten and strangled, apparently with a macramé rope, in her apartment in Simi Valley, Calif., the Ventura County district attorney’s office said. Her son, Daniel, had been smothered” (Christine Hauser). Therefore because Mr. Craig was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend and stepson, based on the evidence at the time was enough to sentence him for 70 years. However, only recently did the sentence get overturned by investigators because as Hauser states a “new investigation” (Hauser) proved that Craig was innocent which was based on new information on DNA Evidence. Thence the main theme that the author presents to us as readers is that while this man got the justice that he deserves, that still does not erase the fact that he was sentenced to a lifetime in jail and because of it, it shows us as Americans how much work we have to do for improving our legal system, even though he did get his innocence after the jury along with the California Governor Jerry Brown delivered the justice that this man deserved after wrongfully being imprisoned for a crime that he did not commit, and was possibly framed .

Jerry Brown’s pardoning of this innocent man not only is important because justice was finally carried out, but it also makes us as Individuals reflect on how efficient our legal system is right now. This is because there is absolutely no excuse whatsoever for wrongfully charging a human for a crime that they did not commit. If there is not enough evidence to prove a suspect is guilty, then the case should be stayed for a period time and thus if new evidence does, in fact, appear, then that case should be reopened for investigation. Hauser’s article reflects on this idea many times over but when she notes that the district attorney for California admits that because of false evidence, injustice was served to this innocent man.  “Mr. Totten vowed his office would “pursue the absolute truth in this decades-old case.” He did not release the names of any new suspects. “As district attorney, I must tell you I look forward to the day when I can shake Mr. Coley’s hand, apologize to him for the injustice he suffered,” Mr. Totten said at a news conference. “I am also hopeful that one day soon we will bring to justice the violent man responsible for this most horrific crime.”” (Hauser). Therefore by Hauser highlighting that because this man was wrongfully acquitted for a murder that he did not commit, the district attorney who led the case against him has now tainted his own legacy as an agent of the law. Because the law is supposed to keep society and those who are innocent safe and serve justice to everyone, however, for this instance injustice was served and for many times over the law and jury system in our country can sometimes be borderline corrupt.

I believe from reading this article was of the biggest strengths that this author did very well was that she jumped into her topic right from the start because she does this very well, it establishes a hook and makes the reader want to keep reading. “A California man who served nearly 40 years in prison for murders of a woman and her 4-year-old son that he said he did not commit has been pardoned by Gov. Jerry Brown after a new investigation proved he was wrongly convicted”  (Housier). I thought the way she structured her article was also very effective because with some of the article that I have read this year, some feel like unevenly balanced and in result, the entire article is somewhat off timing with its perfect potential. While I enjoyed this article very much, one fact which I believe this author could do a better job at was I wished that she could have gone a little deeper into how and what led to the justification by the jury to indict this innocent man for murder back in 1970. I believe that by doing this it makes the article not only better but it makes less complicated for individuals because she does note that he was indicted, but she does so in the legal description. This is an area which I think she can improve because by adding a little more forensic information because I think by adding data regarding the DNA typing test to her article it does only improve her writing, but it adds more verification to her article. Overall, I enjoyed reading this article and the overall reflection that I took away was that even though America has a complex legal system and in a result, some individuals might receive injustice for crimes that they did not commit- even though they are innocent.