Sweat Profiling

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080915210509.htm

In this article, scientist Dr. John Bond, of the University of Leicester and scientific support officer in Northamptonshire, England, claims that people who eat more processed foods are more likely to leave tell-tale signs at a crime scene. Dr. Bond claims that sweaty fingerprint marks make more of a corrosive impression (aka they are easier to see/print/identify) on metal if they have a high salt content, a characteristic common among those who just recently consumed fatty, processed, or fast foods. He developed a method of forensic research that enables scientists to "visualize" fingerprints even after the print itself has been removed, by studying, along with colleagues, the ways in which fingerprints can corrode metal surfaces. Although he is still investigating whether or not a sweat mark left at a crime scene to could analyzed to determine the suspect via a "sweat profile," he holds that a sweaty, or salty, fingerprint, makes it easier to identify, see, and use as evidence in a trial. Currently, he is working on the science of sweat at the University of Leicester to see if sweat can reveal more about the individual, such as health records, etc. The ability to analyze sweat would also allow for better investigation into terrorist attacks, where the attacks often destroy all available forensic evidence. Until then, sweaty fingerprints remain the best option for identification for Dr. Bond.

Materials Chemists Apply Photonic Crystals to Forensics

“Materials Chemists Apply Photonic Crystals to Forensics”
Megan Cyganowski

This article explains the possibility of photonic crystals, which are materials with precise patterns of gaps that make them reflect only selected wavelengths of light, could soon replace ink-base fingerprinting. Apparently, the spacing of these gaps changes in response to the amount of pressure applied. “Imagine a security system that relied on something unique to every single person -- his fingerprint. Now, scientists have developed a material that makes those prints nearly impossible to forge.” At the University of Toronto, material chemists have been making new crystals, which reflect light. Opal gemstone is very nice because you get all these multi-faceted color effects," Arsenault tells DBIS.
I think this is a very important because it is altering the way we identify criminals and solve major cases. Such decisions and experiments regarding these situations must be thought and dealt with care because it results in a safe and secure society. Many tests and experiments must be completed in order to make sure this new method for criminology is effective. I thought it was very interesting to see and vision how the scientists work in the lab on such important projects.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0106-molding_fingerprints.htm

New Bullet Tagging Technology

Forensics Joe

Current Events

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080801074732.htm

This article is entitled “Guilt on their Hands” this is a perfect title due to a new bullet tagging technology invented by a team of chemists, engineers, management scientists, sociologists and nanotechnologists from Brighton, Brunel, Cranfield, Surrey and York Universities, with funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Basically bullet tagging is a way of using small “nanotags” which are coated on gun cartridges and then wiped off on anyone’s hands or gloves who have handled the cartridge. With this information, one can match the nanotags from the glove or hand, and match it to the gun from which it was fired from.

I think this is an ingenious invention by scientists and cannot wait to see it in action. It is due for release in about a year and should make life for a forensic scientist that much easier identifying the felon to the gun that was used, or a cartridge that was left a crime scene. With more and more technology forensic science is becoming one of the most important parts of our society.

Forensic Anthropologists Reconstruct First President's Real Looks

Changing the Face of History: Forensic Anthropologists Reconstruct First President's Real Looks
Forensic anthropologists are reconstructing the facial features of George Washington and creating life size models of him at the ages of 19, 45, and 57. They are able to do this by using 3D laser scans of sculptures and processing images with math based computer software. Essentially, what the specialists are doing is using lasers to scan sculptures, busts and dentures. Then, computer scientists feed the scans into a computer that breaks down the image into tiny points. Using mathematics, the points are connected to form an image. This image is then used to recreate what they believe to be the approximate vestage of what this nation's first president looked like. With life-sized models of Washington, scientisrs hope to be able to show him as he truly was (which they state would be more appealing to children rather than just pictures of him standing in full uniform posing).
What really shocked me about this article was that anthropologists are able to reconstruct the facial features of someone through sculptures and paintings without any physical bodily remains to work with.

LA Forensics: The Signature Murders

Upon arriving at Luis Garcia’s house, his sister and nephew were shocked and disturbed to find their close relative lying on the floor, lifeless. They immediately called 911 after realizing that this was a crime scene, not just an accidental death. Forensic scientists quickly made their way to the scene where they were able to uncover many valuable clues. There was apparent blood splatter in various places along with bruises on the victim’s face, which led the detectives to believe there was a struggle and that Garcia had tried to fight back. He had apparently been strangled with a cord from a clock radio, which the murderer most likely found at the scene. This implied that the killer had not originally planned on committing a murder, but when he attempted to burglarize the house, Garcia’s actions forced him to carry out his actions. Also, a black leather belt was found near the victim’s body, another possible method of strangulation. They found a window open with the screen inside but on the floor. An open folding knife was found, suggesting that the killer may have used it to cut open the screen window and make his way inside. With this in mind, the scientists took footprints and fingerprints outside, as well as inside. A final key clue that they found was blood stops in the sink that appeared to belong to the intruder. They were able to collect the blood samples and later use them for DNA testing and matching.
In total, nearly thirty fingerprints were found and usable in the testing facilities and allowed them to find matches to possible suspects. A complete victimology record was made, tracing back any relationships that Garcia may have had that could lead to a violent attack. During the testing process, a new case had recently been published that dealt with an almost identical situation. Detectives had found Willie Nichols dead due to strangulation, and the murder weapon was a leather belt. Psychologists were called in to track the patterns of these two murders and it was decided that the killer was responsible for both due to the habits shown in both cases. After deep investigation, including DNA testing and fingerprinting, Robert Rose, a convicted killer, was brought to trial and convicted with the murder of Luis Garcia and Willie Nichols.
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/forensics/accessory_to_murder/1_index.html