Latest Forensics News
Labs improve DNA turnaround, tool mark cases taking 3 years
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's beleaguered crime labs improved their turnaround times on DNA and ballistics testing last year but took longer to complete drug and tool mark analysis, according to a state Justice Department report released Thursday. The data represents...
Prosecutor: Missing student killed during 1996 rape attempt
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The suspect in the 1996 disappearance of California college student Kristin Smart killed her while trying rape her in his dorm room and his father helped hide the body, the San Luis Obispo County district attorney said Wednesday. District Attorney...
FBI profiler donates files 25 years after Unabomber arrest
CALIFORNIA, Pa. (AP) — When FBI agents arrested Ted Kaczynski at his remote Montana cabin 25 years ago today, they knew a lot about the famous recluse whose 17-year string of bombings killed three people and injured 24. Much of what they knew,...
Medical examiner blames police pressure for Floyd's death
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The chief medical examiner who ruled George Floyd’s death a homicide testified Friday that the way police held him down and compressed his neck “was just more than Mr. Floyd could take,” given the condition of his heart. Dr. Andrew Baker, the...
EXPLAINER: 'Contributing' factors in Floyd death key to case
CHICAGO (AP) — Doctors charged with determining the cause of an individual's death try to learn all they can about the person's life, medical experts testified Friday at former Officer Derek Chauvin’s murder trial. The results of an autopsy, lab tests and...
DNA evidence leads to arrest in 1985 slaying near Denver
DENVER (AP) — DNA evidence has led to the arrest of a 64-year-old man suspected in a 1985 slaying south of Denver, authorities announced Friday. Michael Jefferson was arrested in Los Angeles and extradited to Colorado earlier this month to face kidnapping and...
Remains in Missouri identified as missing Chinese woman
LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) — Decomposed remains found in a Missouri park have been positively identified as those of a Chinese woman who had been missing from Columbia, Missouri, since 2019, authorities said Tuesday. Columbia Mayor Brian Treece said forensic experts used dental...
New autopsy finds Kansas Black man's 2004 death was homicide
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The case of a Black man who died following a party in rural Kansas more than 16 years ago has been ruled a homicide after his body was exhumed as federal authorities investigate his death as a possible hate crime. The Federal Bureau of...
Idaho investigators trying to identify remains found in 2002
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Authorities in eastern Idaho are working with a private DNA testing company to try to find the identity of human remains found nearly two decades ago. The Bonneville County Sheriffs Office announced Thursday that it was working with Othram...
Authorities identify 'Grace Doe' found in 1990 in Missouri
ANDERSON, Mo. (AP) — A woman who was named “Grace Doe” after her remains were found in 1990 in southwest Missouri has been identified, McDonald County authorities announced Wednesday. Investigators and forensic science identified the remains as Shawna Beth Garber,...
