Science Thursday: Thanksgiving Edition
11.24.11
While families across the United States focus today on the chemistry and art of cooking, we have plenty to report from the world of forensics. Here’s this week’s roundup:
The New York State Inspector General’s investigation of the Nassau County Crime Laboratory
found errors
in more than 10% of the cases that underwent retesting and systemic failure at all levels of the laboratory’s management and oversight.
A study in the journal Psychological Science revealed that
false confessions corrupt other evidence in a trial
, namely forensic evidence and the use of government informants.
Forensic Anthropology students at Indiana University — South Bend conducted a
field study
by exhuming the body of a pig to study decomposition and identification techniques.
The New York City Chief Forensic Anthropologist determined that remains of what appeared to be a child’s limb
was actually a bear paw
.
Fire investigation techniques
have changed
from an experiential process to having a basis in research science. Experts continue to worry about the innocent people who have been convicted on faulty fire investigation techniques because it is
taking such a long time for the science to be accepted
.
A New York county
has approved funds
to build a new crime lab under the medical examiner in a new facility.
A U.K. company is marketing
a device
that simultaneously scans the fingerprint of a person and detects the presence of a wide range of drugs using dyed antibodies that stick to drug metabolites in the sweat of the fingerprints.
Mississippi and Arizona crime labs are
training community volunteers
to collect evidence at property crime scenes.
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