Forensic science is a field that has taken leaps and bounds over the past several years. From the advent of DNA analysis to the continued technological advancements in the sciences, the progress made in criminalistics has been remarkable.
The evaluation of forensic evidence has changed significantly since the 1994 DNA Identification Act. Forensic DNA analysis plays a critical role in criminal investigations, and as a result now presents forensic labs with huge backlog issues due to the number of samples submitted for examination. This is where presumptive testing of evidence, such as suspected biological fluids, can be helpful.
The Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists (MAAFS) annual meeting is being held later this month from May 14th through the 18th. MAAFS is one of several regional/state forensic science associations in the United States. Regional meetings are great for scientists to attend because they usually require less travel than attending the national AAFS meeting, and they provide a more personal forum for presentations and also networking with scientists from that particular region. MAAFS is also a great forum for student presenters, as scholarships are awarded annually. I will be presenting on Thursday, May 17thon the benefits of including fluorescence Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) in the battery of analyses that are typically applied to tape examination. Fluorescence HSI adds value to tape examination, because it is a macroscopic analysis that provides both visual and spectral results, requires little samples preparation, is non destructive, and can allow for a quick elimination in a comparison of known and questioned tapes.
On Feb 7th, 2012 Gateway Analytical hosted a live webinar titled “Forensic Gunshot Residue Analysis for Police & Attorneys”. During the webinar our presenters, David Exline and Cara Plese, discussed what gunshot residue (GSR) is, how to collect it and control contamination, the historical and current methods of analytical testing of GSR, as well as a discussion on how terminology in the GSR community has changed and why.