With funding from the NIJ, Dr. Michael Sigman and Mary Williams from University of Central Florida developed a method for analyzing fire debris samples that are highly contaminated with pyrolysis interferences. This technique provides an alternative objective method for classifying ignitable liquid residues, which is one of the only viable options for helping to progress …
Resources
Rapid and Effective Identification of Organic and Inorganic Gunshot Residues
Speakers: Dr. Tatiana Trejos, Dr. Luis Arroyo, and Dr. Suzanne Bell.
Offered By: FTCOE.
Achieved Video Available.
Rapid and Effective Identification of Organic and Inorganic Gunshot ResiduesRead More
Fingerprint Error Rate on Close Non-Matches
Sept. 2020 research by Jonathan J. Koehler and Siquan Liu on the accuracy of distinguishing between two close non-matches. False positive error rates were 15.9% and 28.1% on the two close non-matches on mandatory proficiency tests that were studied. As the size of fingerprint databases grow, the risk of a close non-match being present in …
Forensic Toxicology: Methods Used and Common Errors in Screening and Confirmatory Tests
Free webinar offered by NCIDS
Forensic Toxicology: Methods Used and Common Errors in Screening and Confirmatory TestsRead More
A Model for Confronting Fire Investigation Errors
Fall 2020 law review article by John Lentini addressing how to defend someone accused of arson.
Webinar – How to Prepare for a Fire Expert Deposition and Litigation
This webinar is being offered by the National Association of Public Defense on Oct. 6, 2020. Proper litigation that involves a fire case usually includes a fire origin and cause expert. There are standards and guidelines that the fire expert is expected to follow. This includes, but not limited to proper investigation, documentation, report writing …
Webinar – How to Prepare for a Fire Expert Deposition and LitigationRead More
Making Use of What’s Not Visible in Trace Evidence Examinations
Nanoparticles and other subvisible particles potentially present in nearly all trace evidence are often overlooked in forensic investigations. NIJ-supported researchers have characterized several types of particles and developed detection methods.
Making Use of What’s Not Visible in Trace Evidence ExaminationsRead More
Pills & Particles – Toxicology and Linking Trace Evidence
Speakers: David Moody, Barry Lavine, and David Stoney.
Offered By: FTCOE.
Achieved Videos Avaialble.
Pills & Particles – Toxicology and Linking Trace EvidenceRead More
Rapid and Effective Identification of Organic and Inorganic Gunshot Residues
Speakers: Dr. Tatiana Trejos, Dr. Luis Arroyo, and Dr. Suzanne Bell.
Offered By: FTCOE
Achieved Video Available.
Rapid and Effective Identification of Organic and Inorganic Gunshot ResiduesRead More
Cosmetic Trace Evidence
A tissue containing a faint stain was submitted to determine if evidence of a make-up stain was present. Although the tissue had been previously analyzed by another laboratory (to no avail) and only a single, barely stained area of the tissue remained, Microtrace, LLC was able to use light and electron microscopy to characterize the …
(Mis)use of scientific measurements in forensic science
Article by Itiel Dror and Nicholas Scurich on the insufficient attention or weight that has been given to inconclusive evidence and inconclusive decisions in forensic science error rate studies.
(Mis)use of scientific measurements in forensic scienceRead More
Long v. Hooks
4th Circuit en banc rehearing, decided Aug. 24, 2020. See Judge Wynn’s concurring opinion regarding eyewitness identification evidence.
The Law and Science of Eyewitness Evidence
Aug. 2020 article by Brandon Garrett and Thomas Albright that examines how the science of eyewitness identifications has informed the law. The article looks state-by-state at legal precedent, legislative action, and police reforms related to eyewitness evidence. Available for free download.
Trace Evidence for the Crime Laboratory
Speaker: Susan Gross, MSFS.
Offered By: FTCOE.
Achieved Video Available.
The OSAC Materials (Trace) Subcommittee
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees Materials (Trace) Subcommittee for Forensic Science focuses standards and guidelines related to the examination and interpretation of physical evidence that may result from the transfer of small or minute quantities of materials (e.g., hairs, fibers, paint, tape, glass).