Novel Forensic Technique to be Applied to Decade-old Murder Probe”

The article "Novel Forensics Technique to be Applied to Decade-old Murder Probe" explains how Dr. John Bond has been asked to help the Bristol Police Department in Conn. to solve a decade-old murder of a well-known businessman Louis Pete LaFontaine who was shot dead in his own bedroom.  Dr. Bond has a pioneering research technique that may be helpful in solving the crime.  This technique is called "visualizing fingerprints" since it enables scientists to detect fingerprints on metal (such as bullet casings) even after the fingerprint has been removed.  The research is based on studying how fingerprints can corrode metal surfaces.  THe murder has yet to be solved, but the police are hopeful that utilizing this new technique will help them figure out who the murderer was.  This technique has been successful with other "cold cases" with other US police forces.  Forensic scientists believe that this may be a great breakthrough in solving crime. 

Genes To Blame for Bullying

In 1999, several studies showed that bullying among boys can be inherited through genes. The Institute of Psychiatry in london and the University of Southampton identified the degree of genetic - and environmental - influences in children who combine aggressive and non-aggressive behavior. They reported that boys learn non-aggressive antisocial behavior more from environmental influences that they experience while girls get it from their genes. In addition, aggressive behavior can be inherited although social environment plays a role in non-aggressive antisocial behavior. The people involved in the study stated that their work will lead toward identification of specific genes associated with both non-aggressive and aggressive antisocial behavior. Neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and enzymes, degrade them as possible mechanisms carrying genetic effects involved with this.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/03/990310053751.htm

University of Leicester announces world first forensic technique

Traditionally 2 types of radiology are used in mass fatality and temporary mortuary investigations -that of fluoroscopy and plain x-ray.These techniques however are time consuming, yield limited information and are a health and safety hazard to those working in the environment due to the use of radiological equipment outside their normal working area. They are also not undertaken at the scene of the incident.As far as we know, for the first time in the world a new radiological system was used recently at a mass fatality investigation. A team of researchers led by Professor Guy Rutty of the University of Leicester Forensic Pathology Unit used a mobile MSCT scanner at the mortuary for the examination of the victims of a vehicle mass fatality incident.This instrument provided superior information in 2 dimensional plain film (AP and lateral) and 3 dimensional multi-slice examination with on-site soft tissue and bony reconstruction. The system proved faster then traditional temporary mortuary radiology yielding greater information related to identification, health and safety, autopsy planning and cause of death.Professor Rutty said: "The demonstration of the ability to utilise mobile MSCT technology under these circumstances may result in a complete rethinking of the type of radiology to be used in temporary mortuaries or mass fatalities scenes. The work presently being undertaken by my research team within the Forensic Pathology Unit at the University of Leicester in this area is hoped to develop new approaches to mass fatality radiological investigation which may be adopted throughout the world." University of Leicester

New Field Of Research Could Help Police In Crime Scene Forensics

A group of investigators headed by scientists at the Translational Genomics Research Institute have found a way to identify suspects at crime scenes using only a small amount of DNA, even if it is mixed with hundreds of other fingerprints. Using genotyping microarrays, the scientists were able to identify an individuals DNA from within a mix of different samples, even if that individual represented less than 0.1% of the total cobination, or less than one part per thousand. They were able to do this even when the mix of DNA included more than 200 individual samples.The discovery could help police inspectors better identify possible suspects, even when dozens of people over time have been at a certain crime scene. It also could help reassess previous crime scene evidence, and it could have other uses statistical and genetic analysis. Currently, it is difficult for forensic investigators to detect an individual if their genomic DNA is less than 10% of a mix, or if it is from a large mix of DNA material. It was believed that an individual could not be identified in pooled data, this new discovery helps to solve that assumption.


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080828220505.htm

New fingerprint breakthrough by forensic scientists

Researchers in the University Department of Chemistry and the Police's scientific support unit have developed the method that enables scientists to 'visualise fingerprints' even after the print itself has been removed. They conducted a study into the way fingerprints can corrode metal surfaces. The technique can enhance - after firing- a fingerprint that has been deposited on a small calibre metal cartridge case before it is fired.The University's Forensic Research Centre has been working with Northamptonshire Police's scientific support unit to develop new ways of taking fingerprints from a crime scene.The procedure works by applying an electric charge to a metal - say a gun or bullet - which has been coated in a fine conducting powder, similar to that used in photocopiers.

What Is the Impact of CSI-style Programming on Jurors?

Currently, there is a new psychological study at the University of Leicester, which analyzes the effects of forensic-related programming on potential jurors in the United Kingdom. Because forensic science is referenced in the news, media, literature, and magazines, it is quite possible that peoples’ perceptions about forensic science are altered. This will, in turn, affect court decisions. Lisa Smith, who is working on the study, said, “In recent years the forensic science techniques available to police have become difficult to understand within the courtroom.” However, today she believes the average person is more aware of forensic procedures, as a result of the news and media. This study is important because it gages how well jurors understand the information presented to them in trials. The hypothesis is that because of forensics prevalence in the media, jurors are better able to grasp difficult concepts. Nevertheless, this may not be the case. The research from the study will settle the question. It is important to understand how informed the jurors are because often the decisions made by the jurors are life-altering.

Forensic anthropologist

Recently the profession of Forensic Anthropology has become increasingly visible in popular culture through the work of Kathy Reichs, a real-life forensic anthropologist and author, whose heroine, Temperance Brennan, works in the field, and is also the central character in the television series, Bones and of course, the so called "CSI effect." A Forensic Anthropologists must not be confused with Forensic Pathologists, whose job is to examine corpses to determine the cause of death.  

In 1999 Sue Black became the lead forensic anthropologist to the British Forensic Team in Kosovo, deployed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on behalf of the United Nations. She was awarded an OBE for her services to forensic anthropology in Kosovo.  

Black spoke to Julie Bindel of "The Guardian" about being a “bone detective” and her most high profile assignment to Kosovo where her team identified bodies in the Balkans - both for public record, and for burial. The techniques Black used included comparing dental records with the corpses, and examining markers on the bone to determine age, ethnicity and gender.

Fingerprint Analysis Technique Could Be Used To Identify Bombmakers

Imagine being able to pick up a fired bullet and successfully obtain a fingerprint clear enough to accuse the bullets owner? Well now it is possible thanks to Dr. John Bond, forensic research scientist at the University of Leicester and Northamptonshire police department. Dr. Bond has discovered a way to find fingerprints of bullet cartridges and bombs, even after they have been detonated. The military is hoping to put this skill to good use by using it to identify the makers of road-side-bombs in Afghanistan. The test works by coating the item under examination with a powder that, when exposed to an electric charge, corrodes metal in the same pattern as the fingerprints. Unlike normal fingerprinting, washing and wiping will do no good in attempting to get rid of fingerprint. Hopefully, in the next few months we will get to see this fingerprint test on the front lines of the war.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080826080812.htm

The Lieden Ballpoint Murder Case

In may of 1991, in Lieden, The Netherlands, a woman was found dead with a suspicious wound in her eye. The autopsy repord revealed a ballpoint pen was imbedded in her eye, causing fatal brain damage, and therefore killing her.( Similar to the trick the joker played on a mob member in "The Dark Night"). When this was first investigated, police were puzzelled. Was it a murder, a suicide, or an accident? Further investigation showed that the woman did not use ballpoint pens, and no black ink from the pen was found anywhere in the house. The origonal case was dropped in August of 1992, until more evidence was found surrounding testimony from the womans son JT, who confessed that he killed his mom by shooting a ballpoint pen through her eye. JT was sentenced to 12 years in prison, but appealed his case, and was eventually aquittded. The main reason for his aquitall was that the therapist, broke her proffesional code regarding confidenciality with her patient.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/1558013.pdf

Facebook Impostors

As everyone knows facebook is one of the most popular online friend communication web site. But recently impostors have been on a rise. People have been posing as other people in order not to just gain information but money. Bryan Rutberg's was a victim of this. on January 21st a  frightening alert appeared to his facebook. His status update stated "Bryan NEEDS HELP URGENTLY!!!" His online friends saw the message and came to his aid. Some posted  messages on his public profile "What's happening" "what do you need?". One friend, Beny Rubinstein, got a message saying that Rutberg had been robbed in London and needed money to get back to the United States. Therefore, Benny weird him 1,500 dollars. However, Beny was not sending Bryan money but the impostor.Facebook says it is taking measures to reduce impersonations. The popular site also offers these preventative tips for those who want to take the security of their online profile into their own hands:

• Be suspicious of anyone -- even friends -- who ask for money over the Internet. Verify their circumstances independently, either by calling them directly, or checking with mutual friends.

• Choose a strong password and use unique credentials for each of your Web accounts. Facebook says hackers tap into one site and then try to reuse passwords on others.

• Use an up-to-date browser that features an anti-phishing blacklist.

• Use and run anti-virus software on your computer.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/02/05/facebook.impostors/index.html