As the sensitivity of DNA analysis increases, scientists are able to develop profiles from ever-smaller samples of DNA. This has lead to testing of a wider array of samples collected from crime scenes, including window panes, bullets, hats and other clothing, cigarette butts, and many other items. Attorneys sometimes ask me about the likelihood of …
Crime Scene Investigation
Marilyn T. Miller, Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory Manual
The Handbook of Forensic Services (revised 2013)
U.S. Department of Justice, FBI Laboratory Division. Provides guidance and procedures for methods of collecting, preserving, packaging, and shipping evidence and describes the forensic examinations performed by the FBI’s Laboratory Division and Operational Technology Division.
Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement (2013)
Developed by the National Forensic Science Technology Center and is available for free download.
Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement (2013)Read More
The Biological Evidence Preservation Handbook: Best Practices for Evidence Handlers
2013 NIST handbook offers guidance for individuals involved in the collection, examination, tracking, packaging, storing and disposition of biological evidence
The Biological Evidence Preservation Handbook: Best Practices for Evidence HandlersRead More
Kalvin Michael Smith should get new trial, former FBI agent says
FRONTLINE: The Real CSI
Mark your calendars: on April 17, 2012, FRONTLINE reports on serious flaws in forensic practices and inconsistencies in how forensic evidence is presented in the courtroom. The program will be broadcast on PBS stations and online. FRONTLINE investigates reliability of fingerprint analysis, ballistics, and bite mark analysis and evaluates the standards that govern these practices. …
Crime Scene Investigation – New Website
As a follow-up to my post from earlier this week on crime scene investigation, I have created a website with articles and publications that describe best practices for physical evidence recognition, evidence preservation and collection, and crime scene documentation. I have posted standards and guidelines for crime scene investigation and other crime scene resources on …
Crime scene forensics: How does it work?
BBC News has posted a series of videos explaining how forensic tests are performed in crime labs on their Crime scene forensics: How does it work website. These short videos demonstrate various techniques including fingerprint comparisons, use of ninhydrin and superglue fuming (cyanoacrylate) to locate latent print evidence, firearm and projectile comparisons, and examination of …
Crime scene forensics: How does it work?
5 Suggested Techniques to Aid in Identifying Suspects
Serology Evidence (Blood, Saliva, Semen, etc.) (2011)
NCAJ Webinar on crime scene investigation and serology evidence by Marilyn Miller.
Serology Evidence (Blood, Saliva, Semen, etc.) (2011)Read More
Crime Scene Forensic Evidence Collection Guidelines For Defense Attorneys
by John Louis Larsen and Daniel K. Harris, The Champion (NACDL) 28-35 (October 2011). A guide for defense attorneys for assessing whether law enforcement followed standardized evidence processing and collection guidelines, as per those promulgated by the FBI and DOJ.
Crime Scene Forensic Evidence Collection Guidelines For Defense AttorneysRead More
Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator (2011)
U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice. A best-practices guide for death scene investigators produced by the National Medicolegal Review Panel, an independent multidisciplinary group of both international and national organizations whose constituents are responsible for investigating death.
Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator (2011)Read More
Shooting-Incident Reconstruction Within a Room
by John Louis Larsen, 8 Evidence Tech. Mag. 14-17 (July-August 2010). Provides protocols for documenting a bullet-hole entry and for event reconstruction.