Tag

Forensic Science

All articles tagged with #forensic science

crime13 days ago•4 min saved

Pioneering Forensic Scientist Henry Lee Dies at 87, Shaping Modern Crime Investigation

Henry Lee, the renowned forensic scientist whose testimony helped spotlight modern crime-scene investigation during the O.J. Simpson trial, died at 87 in Nevada after a brief illness. He later consulted on high-profile cases such as JonBenét Ramsey, Laci Peterson, and Phil Spector, led Connecticut's forensic lab, and founded the Henry C. Lee Institute at the University of New Haven, while authoring more than 40 books; his career drew scrutiny after a 2023 ruling related to a 1985 case.

via CBS News|

#crime #forensic-science #henry-lee

science1 month ago•7 min saved

Moss Becomes Key Evidence in Burr Oak Grave Robbery Case

A 2009 Burr Oak Cemetery scandal over desecrated graves led investigators to rely on tiny moss fragments found with the remains to time the reburials; a 2015 conviction followed, and a 2026 paper in Forensic Sciences Research explains how moss metabolism and chlorophyll degradation showed the moss was buried for less than six months, placing the crime within the workers’ timeframe and strengthening the evidence against them.

via Ars Technica|

#burr-oak-cemetery #field-museum #forensic-science

crime1 month ago•4 min saved

DNA at Guthrie home may offer limited clues, sources say

DNA recovered from Nancy Guthrie's Tucson home is described as low-level and may not yield a clean, usable profile for comparison in FBI or private databases; investigators say enhancement is possible but could take longer. A Florida lab is analyzing the samples as the case remains unresolved, with no suspects named. A DNA profile from gloves found near the home did not match the FBI’s CODIS. Authorities are turning to genetic genealogy via GEDmatch Pro and FamilyTreeDNA, both using opt-in consent. Rewards total up to $1 million for information, in addition to a $100,000 FBI reward.

via CBS News|

#crime #dna #forensic-science

crime1 month ago•6 min saved

Genetic genealogy eyes DNA clues in Nancy Guthrie mystery

Investigators in the Nancy Guthrie case in Tucson are pursuing genetic genealogy to turn DNA evidence into a suspect lead, a method credited with solving the Golden State Killer and other cases; a DNA sample from gloves near her home did not match CODIS, and authorities are also reviewing commercial databases as they analyze additional biological evidence; experts say this approach builds family trees from relatives to identify suspects, though questions about privacy linger.

via CBS News|

#crime #dna-databases #forensic-science

science3 months ago•4 min saved

Unique Moss Helps Forensic Experts Solve Crimes

Scientists have discovered that mosses and bryophytes can serve as unique forensic clues, acting like fingerprints to help solve crimes, with documented cases dating back to 1929, including a notable case in Michigan where moss helped locate a buried body.

via Good News Network|

#botanical-evidence #bryophytes #crime-solving

crime4 months ago•4 min saved

Decades-Old Colorado Cold Case Solved, Tied to Notorious Serial Killer

Decades after Rhonda Fisher's murder in 1987, DNA analysis of preserved paper bags linked her killer to Vincent Groves, a prolific Colorado serial killer, providing closure to a long-unsolved case and highlighting advances in forensic science.

via CNN|

#cold-case #colorado #crime

science5 months ago•2 min saved

Forensic Breakthrough Extracts Fingerprints from Bullet Casings

Researchers at Maynooth University have developed a new technique to recover high-detail fingerprints from heated bullet casings, potentially revolutionizing forensic investigations by allowing identification of shooters from evidence previously thought impossible to analyze. The method involves chemical reactions and electrical stimulation to reveal residues that survive the firing process, although further testing is needed to confirm its effectiveness on actual fired bullets.

via ScienceAlert|

#bullet-casings #fingerprints #forensic-breakthrough

crime5 months ago•2 min saved

Veteran Arrested in Cold Case Murder After DNA Link

An army veteran, Stephan Smerk, was arrested and pleaded guilty to a 1994 Virginia murder after DNA testing linked him to the crime scene, leading to his 70-year sentence.

via TMZ|

#army-veteran #cold-case #crime

crime5 months ago•2 min saved

DNA from straw links man to 1984 teen murder after 41 years

Decades after wrongful convictions, DNA from a discarded straw has led to the indictment of Richard Bilodeau for the 1984 murder of Theresa Fusco in Long Island, highlighting advances in forensic science and persistent pursuit of justice.

via The Guardian|

#cold-case #crime #dna-evidence

crime6 months ago•2 min saved

Oregon Police Exhume Remains in Decades-Old Unsolved Cases

Oregon police have recovered partial remains of 'Oak Grove Jane Doe,' a woman murdered nearly 80 years ago, in the state's oldest unidentified case. The remains, exhumed from Mountain View Cemetery, are degraded but will undergo advanced forensic testing in hopes of identifying her and solving the long-standing mystery.

via ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos|

#cold-case #crime #forensic-science

crime7 months ago•2 min saved

DNA Evidence Allowed in Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Trial

A New York judge has admitted DNA evidence obtained through whole genome sequencing linking Rex Heuermann to six of the seven women he is accused of killing at Gilgo Beach, marking the first use of this technology as evidence in a New York court and potentially advancing the case.

via ABC News|

#crime #dna-evidence #forensic-science

crime7 months ago•5 min saved

DNA Evidence Accepted in Rex Heuermann Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Trial

A New York judge has allowed the use of advanced DNA technology in the trial of Rex Heuermann, accused of being the Gilgo Beach serial killer, after prosecutors demonstrated its scientific validity. The case involves complex forensic evidence, including degraded hair samples analyzed with new techniques, linking Heuermann and his family to multiple victims. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty, and a trial date has yet to be scheduled.

via The Independent|

#crime #dna-evidence #forensic-science

science8 months ago•6 min saved

Scientists Uncover Cause of Mysterious Blue Brain Autopsies

Autopsies revealed that blue-green organ discoloration can result from exposure to dyes like methylene blue and toluidine blue, often used in medical treatments or ingested substances, with patterns depending on the route of exposure, aiding forensic investigations.

via PsyPost|

#autopsy #blue-green-discoloration #forensic-science

science9 months ago•4 min saved

Using DNA to Identify Victims in Mass Disasters

DNA analysis is the gold standard for identifying victims of mass disasters by comparing postmortem samples from remains with antemortem samples or known relatives, despite some challenges like sample degradation and ethical considerations.

via Live Science|

#antemortem-samples #dna-analysis #forensic-science

crime9 months ago•6 min saved

Decades-Old UK Cold Case Solved with 92-Year-Old Man's Conviction

Ryland Headley was finally convicted of the 1967 murder and rape of Louisa Dunne after decades, thanks to preserved evidence and modern DNA analysis, highlighting that justice can be delayed but not denied.

via BBC|

#cold-case #crime #dna-evidence