Forensics News and Research - October 2009 Archives

Disappearing vowels 'caught' on tape in US midwest (10/27/2009)

Try to pronounce the words "caught" and "cot." If you're a New Yorker by birth, the two words will sound as different as their spellings. But if you grew up in California, you probably pronounce them identically ...> Full Article

Tracking down the human 'odorprint' (10/16/2009)

Each of the 6.7 billion people on Earth has a signature body odor -- the chemical counterpart to fingerprints -- and scientists are tracking down those odiferous arches, loops, and whorls in the "human odorprint" for purposes ranging from disease diagnosis to crime prevention. That's the topic of an article in the current issue of Chemical & Engineering News, ACS' weekly newsmagazine. ...> Full Article

Identifying ID theft and fraud (10/15/2009)

If the wife of FBI boss Robert Mueller has warned him not to use internet banking because of the threat of online fraud, then what hope is there for the average Joe? The results of research published in a forthcoming issue of the International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics suggests that more of us are no longer entrusting our finances to virtual accounts. ...> Full Article

Forensics firm builds on genomic discovery to advance DNA-based identification (10/14/2009)

High-tech forensics firm, Casework Genetics, is applying new technology to forensic evidence enabling law enforcement labs to solve crimes with greater molecular precision and efficiency than ever before. ...> Full Article

Radio waves 'see' through walls (10/13/2009)

University of Utah engineers showed that a wireless network of radio transmitters can track people moving behind solid walls. The system could help police, firefighters and others nab intruders, and rescue hostages, fire victims and elderly people who fall in their homes. It also might help retail marketing and border control. ...> Full Article

$2M in grants for bullet, duct tape forensic science (10/12/2009)

Better evidence from bullets, duct tape and guns is the aim of three grants totaling over $2.2 million awarded to the UC Davis program in forensic science by the US Department of Justice. ...> Full Article

Police sketch artist evolves (10/7/2009)

Computer program uses interactive genetic algorithm to help witnesses remember criminals in police departments across Europe ...> Full Article

New technology detects chemical weapons in seconds (10/6/2009)

Scientists at Queen's University Belfast are developing new sensors to detect chemical agents and illegal drugs which will help in the fight against the threat of terrorist attacks. ...> Full Article

The real world of a forensic scientist (10/6/2009)

Renowned experts reveal what it takes to solve crimes ...> Full Article