Decoded: The Mystery of Human Migration

The Independent
A new study aims to analyse modern DNA to track how man spread across the globe. Steve Connor persuades a series of high-profile figures to take the test – with fascinating results

Saving child-trafficking victims with DNA

Kuala Lumpur
…Dr. Lorente said that the Children’s DNA group was collected from children found living in the streets, shelters, orphanges and illegal adoption centres…

New laws backed by Madigan take effect Sunday

Springfield, IL
New laws to crack down on repeat methamphetamine offenders and to strengthen the Illinois DNA database are among the measures initiated by Attorney General Lisa Madigan in the 2011 legislative session that will take effect Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012.

DNA used to ID 2,383 in Tohoku

The Japan Times
SENDAI — DNA analysis was used to identify 2,383 disaster victims in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, a survey by the National Police Agency said Thursday.

Police departments asked to limit evidence requests

The Litchfield News CT
Local police departments are being asked to limit the evidence they send to the state police crime lab for analysis in the latest fallout from the lab’s loss of accreditation.

Forensic Sciences Lab Director Says Thousands Of Cases Are Put On Hold

WHNT Alabama
HUNTSVILLE, AL— Workers with the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences are feeling a bit of financial pressure. The director of the Huntsville lab says repeated cuts and increases in cases for his agency are starting to affect his team. Employees are seeing evidence pile up and many investigations get put on hold.

Infamous ‘Yeti Finger’ Flunks DNA Test

MSNBC
A finger long claimed to be from a yeti, once revered in a monastery in Nepal and taken in the 1950s by a Bigfoot researcher, has been identified after decades of mystery. Turns out, it’s just a regular old human finger — albeit one with a very interesting history.

National ID system to help recognize disaster victims

Philippines
MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation Disaster Victim Identification Team (NBI-DVI) believes a national ID system would help future efforts in identifying victims of disasters.

‘Invaluable’ forensic crime lab to be axed

UK
FORENSIC work that could solve crimes dating back decades is to be moved to a private firm in Wakefield.

St. Paul cops fold unit dedicated to solving cold cases

Minnesota
For the past three years, St. Paul police had one pair of eyes looking at unsolved — “cold case” — murders, day in, day out. But a big cut in federal funds is forcing the department to take a new tack.