From Fingerprints to DNA: Biometric Data Collection in U.S. Immigrant Communities and Beyond

New White Paper from EFF and the Immigration Policy Center Outlines Privacy and Security Concerns
San Francisco – Today the Immigration Policy Center (IPC) and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) release “From Fingerprints to DNA: Biometric Data Collection in U.S. Immigrant Communities and Beyond.” The paper outlines the current state of U.S. government collection of biometric information and the problems that could arise from these growing databases of records. It also points out how immigrant communities are immediately affected by the way this data is collected, stored, and shared.

US forensic expert says he was asked to help with China death inquiry

Washington Post
BEIJING — A prominent American forensic scientist said Wednesday that Chinese police asked him to analyze an unidentified blood sample, in a possible link to a spiraling political scandal in which a senior official was sacked amid allegations that his wife murdered a British man.
Henry Lee said police did not directly ask for help investigating the death of Neil Heywood, whose body was found in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing. The wife of the city’s Communist Party chief has been named a suspect in Heywood’s death.

Local Company’s DNA Kit Helps Reunite Girl With Mom

CARLSBAD, Calif. — A local company played a major role in reuniting a mother and her kidnapped child.

A look at TPD’s new crime lab

Tucson Arizona
TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) – Analysts at the new Tucson police crime lab have been especially busy these last few weeks processing evidence gathered in the investigation of missing 6-year-old Isabel Celis.

New crime lab helping speed DNA processing

Florida
The Delray Beach Police Department has teamed up with its counterparts in neighboring Boynton Beach and Boca Raton to fight crime through a streamlined DNA pre-screening process.

Scientists to use genetic testing to decide if bigfoot really exists

LONDON — Scientists are turning to genetic testing to see if they can prove the existence of the elusive hairy humanoid known across the world as bigfoot, yeti and sasquatch.
A joint project between Oxford University and Switzerland’s Lausanne Museum of Zoology will examine organic remains that some say belong to the creature that has been spotted in remote areas for decades.

Promega Webinar: Simplify Databasing & Paternity Workflows

All Promega webinars are free, though you will be asked to register to attend.
Date: Thursday, May 24, 2012
Times available in North America:
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (EST: US) Register

Times available International:
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (GMT: Dublin, London, Edinburgh) Register
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (CET: Amsterdam, Berlin, Stockholm) Register