Tag: "forensics"
Genetic Sleuthing, Or How To Catch The Right Identical Twin Criminal
There are unique DNA differences between identical twins that scientists can use to tell them apart. Why isn't law enforcement using these differences to catch their criminal? Because the cost is too high.
Post on Feb 25, 2013 by Dr. Barry Starr from QUEST Northern California
Fascination with Forensics
There is a magnet on my fridge that my girlfriend bought me. It says, "I like poetry, long walks on the beach and poking dead things with a stick." It's so funny to me because it's true!
Post on Sep 01, 2010 by Cat
5 out of 9 Justices Recommend Leaving Innocent People in Jail
In a truly awful decision reminiscent of Gore vs. Bush, the Supreme Court has decided that there should be no federal mandate for genetic testing after someone has been convicted
Post on Jun 22, 2009 by Dr. Barry Starr
Tracking Genetics in Popular Culture
In the last couple of weeks, on another blog of mine there has been a surge in our answers about genetic chimeras. Usually this means that somewhere in the world, a certain episode of CSI is being shown.
Post on Apr 27, 2009 by Dr. Barry Starr
Reporter's Notes: Wildlife CSI
I knew I was in trouble when I saw the jars. Big jars, filled with tinted liquid, with weird things suspended in them. Things that definitely used to be alive, and that I would not have wanted to see when they WERE alive. "One of my favorites is this one here," says my host, Senior [...]
Post on Jun 27, 2008 by David Gorn
Reporter's Notes: How to ID a Bullet
I was excited to be working on this story. After all, it's not that often that a primarily environmental reporter gets to spend a couple weeks focusing on forensics technology and the debate over gun control (let alone receive firearms training on a 38-special from a senior criminalist at the DOJ's California Criminalistics Institute). In [...]
Post on Jun 20, 2008 by Amy Standen
How to get away with murder
ABC, Yahoo! and others ran a story about a woman who had a liver transplant whose blood type ended up changing. I love stories like this. Not because of the change itself. Most likely, stem cells traveled from the new liver to the patient’s bone marrow. There, the stem cells set up shop and gave [...]
Post on Feb 04, 2008 by Dr. Barry Starr
