Promega Announces New Workshops on Sunday and Thursday

On Sunday, October 14 a workshop entitled, “How to Tackle a DNA Backlog” will be held from 1:00-5:00pm. Speakers will present their strategies for dealing with backlogs from sexual assaults, property crimes and casework samples. Success stories will be shared along with practical advice for streamlining processes. Find out more and register.

Scientists Launch DNA Test on Ancient Skeletons

China
Chinese scientists on Thursday launched a DNA test program on 22 ancient human skeletons that date back more than 2,000 years.
Scientists will conduct DNA tests on the bones and carry out micro-element analysis to collect demography and ethnology data, said Wang Wei, researcher with the Chinese Frontier Research Center of Jilin University and head of the program.

All evidence links Vancouver body parts to Luka Rocco Magnotta case: police

Montreal police said Wednesday that all evidence collected so far indicates body parts mailed to two Vancouver-area schools on Tuesday belonged to the man Luka Rocco Magnotta is alleged to have killed, dismembered and cannibalized.
“We’ve got all the reasons to believe it is linked to our homicide. First of all, we learned it was shipped from Montreal. Secondly, these are the two parts that were missing – the right hand and the right foot. Now, we just need a DNA match,” Montreal police Cmdr. Ian Lafreniere told the National Post.

Exhibits Forensics Information and Miscellaneous Property System (EFIMS)

This state-of-the-art application, developed by Hardcat, delivers unprecedented levels of operational efficiency and evidence integrity to investigative information management. The Exhibits Forensics Information and Miscellaneous Property System (EFIMS) software is providing police officers with better tools to manage their business and their investigations.

Argentina’s Desaparecidos – the Epilogue

BUENOS AIRES, Jun 5, 2012 (IPS) – The identification of the remains of victims of forced disappearance of Argentina’s 1976-1983 military dictatorship – whose bodies were buried in secret graves or thrown into the sea – is moving forward, with periodic findings that have a strong impact on the families and on society as a whole.

City Council votes for independent crime lab

HOUSTON — Houston City Council has voted to establish an independent forensic laboratory outside the control of Houston’s police department, the latest fallout from years of scandals involving the city’s crime lab.
Critics have long complained that crime labs run by police departments create inherent conflicts of interest. The city council vote creates a non-profit corporation – run by a nine-member board confirmed by city council—that will oversee the city’s crime lab.　

DNA questions send killer’s case to NC Supreme Court

Raleigh, N.C. — The state Court of Appeals voted 2-1 this week to uphold the murder conviction of a Gaston County man in the 2008 death of a University of North Carolina-Charlotte student, but the split decision means the North Carolina Supreme Court must decide the issue.

Clemens expert says beer can evidence is ‘garbage’

WASHINGTON (AP) – The expert called to help exonerate Roger Clemens barely made it to the stand. Once he did, he lambasted prosecutors for relying on the so-called “beer can evidence” to support their case against the former All-Star pitcher accused of perjury.
“If you submit garbage to the laboratory, more than likely you’re going to get garbage on the end,” forensic toxicologist Bruce Goldberger said.

Pennsylvania State Police Crime Laboratories Again Earn Accreditation

The Pennsylvania State Police crime laboratory system has earned accreditation again under a new international inspection and renewal program.
“I’m proud that the lab accreditation has been renewed,” said State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan. “This accreditation ensures the department’s seven laboratories are capable of continuing to provide accurate and reliable scientific results.”

DNA struggle stalls skeleton mystery

New Zealand
Attempts to indentify a mystery skeleton found at Port Waikato have been stalled by failed DNA tests.
Scientists are trying to extract a DNA profile from the remains found on Sunset Beach last month to determine who on their list of 30 possible matches – women aged 15 to 25, who disappeared more than 10 years ago – it could be.