Under the Microscope 2024 – Ashley Hall
Imagine the scenario: your DNA is found on the handle of a knife at a crime scene. If there can be no reasonable dispute that it is your DNA, the critical question becomes – how did the DNA get there? The prosecution hypothesizes that you deposited your DNA on the handle when you used the […]
Under the Microscope 2024 – Brittney Svoboda
The purpose of this study is to investigate the probative value of collecting and testing samples outside traditional cavity swabs from the victim’s oral, vaginal (penile), and rectal areas in sexual assault collection kits. Swabs collected from various areas of the victim’s body, such as inner thighs and breasts, can yield quality DNA profiles that […]
Under the Microscope 2024 – Meng-Han Lin
There is an increasing utilisation of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) in modern society. In the field of forensic DNA profile analysis, the use of ANNs to aid in the classification of peak data within casework electropherograms (EPG) has recently been described. Prior to implementation, an ANN must be created, trained, and adjusted until an acceptable […]
Under the Microscope 2024 – Meradeth Snow
After the passage of the 13th Amendment in the United States outlawing slavery, many African American individuals were “convicted” of trumped-up charges and forced into convict leasing camps. Individuals suffering in these scenarios were viewed as entirely replaceable. As demonstrated by the individuals excavated in the Sugar Land 95 project, the first convict leasing labor […]
Under the Microscope 2024 – Ray Wickenheiser
On November 21, 2023, the National Technology Validation Collaborative Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Collaborative (NTVIC) Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) Policy and Procedure Committee published Guidelines for establishing FIGG programs in the Forensic Science International: Synergy journal [1]. This version was the second publication of FIGG draft policies and procedures, following feedback and revisions prompted […]
Under the Microscope 2024 – Anjali Ranadive
In September of 2020, Kendra Owen was murdered in her apartment in Watertown, SD. Her body would not be discovered for several days and when it would be noted that she had been decapitated. Jeremiah Peacemaker was arrested and charged with her murder. He remained in jail for 3 ½ years awaiting trial. That […]
Under the Microscope 2024 – Mandi Van Buren
In 2022, one laboratory’s journey from traditional forensic DNA testing methods to next generation sequencing (NGS) was explored. In 2023, that journey concluded with the first successful admissibility hearing of NGS data in the United States. Identity SNP, aSTR and Y-STR DNA profiles obtained from the evidence collected from the crime scene samples of the […]
Keynote Ashley Flowers and SiriusXM Launch Crime Junkie Radio
SiriusXM and Audiochuck to Launch Crime Junkie Radio Along with New Show “Crime Junkie AF,” Hosted by Ashley Flowers. New channel features curated selection of audiochuck’s top shows, including chart-topping “Crime Junkie”. On April 23rd, SiriusXM, in collaboration with independent media and podcast company audiochuck and its founder Ashley Flowers, announced Crime Junkie Radio, […]
Project Prism: Investigating Toronto’s Missing Men
On April 30th, 2017, Selim Esen was reported missing to the Toronto Police. On June 29th, 2017, Andrew Kinsman was reported missing to the Toronto Police. In early July 2017, the need to create a dedicated task force to investigate their disappearances was identified. The mandate of Project PRISM was to investigate these two disappearances […]
