See pp. 170-173 for the National Research Counsel’s assessment of the analysis of explosives evidence and fire debris
Reports and Publications
Forensic Science Assessments: A Quality and Gap Analysis – Fire Investigation
The American Association for the Advancement of Science produced this July 2017 report that assesses what aspects of fire investigation are well founded and science and where gaps exist in knowledge. The full report is available for free download. A “plain language” summary is also available for download.
Forensic Science Assessments: A Quality and Gap Analysis – Fire InvestigationRead More
Forensic Investigation Techniques for Inspecting Electrical Conductors Involved in Fire
2012 DOJ publication by Richard J. Roby, Ph.D. and Jamie McAllister, Ph.D. that looks at the physical characteristics of energized and non-energized wires subjected to various types of fire exposures.
Forensic Investigation Techniques for Inspecting Electrical Conductors Involved in FireRead More
DNA Mixtures: A Forensic Science Explainer
NIST created this document to explain why DNA mixture interpretation can be so complex and to explain how likelihood ratios and probabilistic genotyping software can assist with interpreting complex mixtures.
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 037: Guidelines for Opinions and Testimony in Forensic Toxicology
Vital Statistics Reference Guidance, Number 2
Addresses the complexity of drug toxicity deaths and the challenging relationship between the existing diseases and the sequence in which diseases or injuries. Underscores the need for a thorough medical and death scene investigation.
American Bar Association Standards on DNA Evidence (2018)
Standards and best practices for the collection, preservation, and testing of DNA evidence and for its use at trial.
American Bar Association Standards on DNA Evidence (2018)Read More
NC DHHS Drug Evaluation & Classification Program
Contains information about requirements for DRE certification and the DRE protocol for North Carolina.
Forensic DNA Analysis: A Primer for Courts
In Nov. 2017, the Royal Society published this primer to assist the UK judiciary when handling DNA and serology evidence in the courtroom. The primer provides a good introduction to forensic DNA analysis, including a description of different types of DNA mixture interpretation software.
North Carolina Juvenile Defender Manual: Chapter 7, Capacity to Proceed
Chapter 7 of the Juvenile Defender’s Manual (Oct. 2017) focuses on juvenile defenders who may lack the capacity to proceed.
North Carolina Juvenile Defender Manual: Chapter 7, Capacity to ProceedRead More
Forensic Science Assessments: A Quality and Gap Analysis – Latent Fingerprint Examination
The 2017 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Forensic Science Assessments: A Quality and Gap Analysis – Latent Fingerprint Examination found that while latent fingerprint examiners can successfully rule out most of the population from being the source of a latent fingerprint based on observed features, insufficient data exist to determine how unique fingerprint features …
Forensic Science Assessments: A Quality and Gap Analysis – Latent Fingerprint ExaminationRead More
Marijuana-Impaired Driving A Report to Congress
July 2017 NHTSA report – The report describes the absorption, distribution and elimination of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinal (THC) the primary psychoactive substance in marijuana, in the body. It contrasts this process with the absorption, distribution and elimination of alcohol in the body, as they are very different processes. The poor correlation of THC concentrations in the blood …
Making Sense of Forensic Genetics
This 2017 guide presents information about DNA forensics in a way that is accessible to both a general audience and legal professionals. It focuses on topics such as the context in which DNA evidence is discovered, DNA databases, statistics, and use of DNA to predict appearance or ancestry.
The Relationship Between Eyewitness Confidence and Identification Accuracy: A New Synthesis
John T. Wixted and Gary L. Wells published this article in Mar. 2017 finding that eyewitness confidence and accuracy are strongly related in pristine lineup conditions. Where lineup conditions are non-pristine, accuracy of even a high confidence suspect ID is seriously compromised. Pristine line-up procedures include using only one suspect per lineup; the suspect should …
The Relationship Between Eyewitness Confidence and Identification Accuracy: A New SynthesisRead More
NIST Research Enables Enhanced DNA “Fingerprints”
Starting Jan. 1, 2017, forensic labs that participate in the FBI’s National DNA Index System (NDIS) increased the number of genetic markers analyzed from 13 to 20. Analyzing an increased number of genetic markers will make the DNA profiles more compatible with international DNA searches and will decrease the likelihood of a random match of …