Science News

Dog scent evidence continues to be challenged in Texas, a cadaver-sniffing dog throws investigators off course in the Etan Patz case, and jurisdictions in Alabama and New York debate the merits of establishing a medical examiner’s office. Here’s this week’s round up of forensic news:

A Texas woman is asking the state to

throw out her conviction

, arguing that it was tainted by a discredited dog-scent lineup.

Based on the indication of a cadaver-sniffing dog, FBI investigators recently conducted an

excavation in the 30-year-old missing person case

of Etan Patz. No human remains were found.

An Alabama Legislator

introduced a bill to re-create the Tuscaloosa County coroner’s office

and abolish the county medical examiner’s office.

Oneida County moves to

transition from a county coroner system

to a medical examiner’s office, enabling the

position to go to a licensed physician.