Science News – August 15, 2013

The management of an Ohio crime lab changes hands, new research can detect makeup samples left as trace evidence and the backlog of toxicology evidence in North Carolina exceeds 10,000 cases. Here is the round up of news for the week:

 

After the resignation of employees who allegedly falsified documents at the Canton-Stark County crime lab,

the Stark Council of Governments Executive Committee will now have authority over the lab and handle future personnel decisions

.

 

Researchers from the United Kingdom have developed a way to

determine the brand and type of makeup left as trace evidence at the scene of the crime

. While this developing technology would not be able to individualize a person’s makeup, it could be used as an investigative tool.

 

The backlog of toxicology evidence in North Carolina exceeds 10,000 cases and is attributed to

a shortage of toxicologists and the requirement for them to testify in court regarding their work

. Prosecutors are looking to proceed with cases without evidence processing.

 

In Missouri, a police chief asked the FBI to investigate the subcontractor involved in building a new crime lab in St. Louis County because officials are worried that the contractor arrangement

violated the county charter and is a conflict of interest

.