A former crime-fighting officer, Paul Chowles, has been handed a 5. 5-year prison sentence for a clever but illegal Bitcoin grab. He took 50 Bitcoins, now worth about $6 million, from a seized stash during a dark web investigation. Chowles was a lead analyst, which gave him the perfect opportunity to steal the cryptocurrency. The theft happened in 2017, but it took ...
Fingerprints are everywhere. They are a staple in forensic investigations. Yet, current systems struggle with partial fingerprints. These fragments often lack the necessary details for a positive match. This is where level 3 features come into play. These are the tiny, intricate details within a fingerprint. They include the width, spacing, and arrangement of ridges ...
DNA phenotyping is a technique that predicts a person's physical traits from their DNA. This can help investigators by providing clues about a suspect's appearance. Most studies have focused on improving the technology and the science behind it. However, there is a gap in understanding how useful police officers find this tool in their daily work. To bridge this gap,...
In the heart of Manhattan, a disturbing incident unfolded, involving a young woman with an impressive resume and a crypto investor. Beatrice Folchi, a 24-year-old from Latina, Italy, found herself in the middle of a nightmare. She was arrested at a SoHo penthouse, where an Italian man claimed he was held captive and tortured for nearly three weeks. The goal? To force...
In 2018, when law enforcement first used a technique called Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) to catch the Golden State Killer, many Americans were on board. A survey at the time showed that most people supported using DNA to solve violent crimes. Five years later, FIGG has helped close many criminal cases, but it's also faced some controversies. Recent...
Mycotoxins like aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), trichothecenes (TCNs), and patulin can sneak into our food and cause serious health problems. In forensic science, detecting these toxins is super important, especially when someone dies from poisoning or long-term exposure. But how do these toxins play a role in autopsies, criminal investigations, and protecti...
Technology often plays a crucial role in keeping people safe. But it’s not always the silver bullet it seems. Take the case of Laken Riley, a college student who was tragically killed. Riley was cautious, using her phone to share her location and calling for help, yet it wasn't enough to save her. The question many people are asking is: How can we balance the benefi...
When a white SUV crashed through a fence at a Walmart parking lot and ignited a pipeline fire earlier this week, little did anyone know that human remains were hidden beneath the smoldering wreckage. The Deer Park Police Department and Harris County Medical Examiner have launched a criminal investigation to uncover the identity of the deceased person, who has not bee...
As the Attorney General of the United States, Merrick Garland is taking a bold stand against the growing threats and attacks on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its personnel. In a speech to his employees, Garland will denounce the "dangerous" and "outrageous" attacks on the department, labeling them as a clear and present danger to the rule of law. But what exac...
What if this wasn't just an isolated incident? What if the suspect's actions were part of a larger, more sinister pattern? The world is on high alert as an international manhunt is underway for a 33-year-old 'foreign national' accused of pouring scalding hot coffee on an infant at a park in Australia. The incident, which occurred on August 27 at Hanlon Park in Stone...