Forensic News and Facts

Forensic news and articles

Two University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Honors students, Adam Brown and Daniel Sommerville, have developed a revolutionary method of developing invisible fingerprints. Normally, the fingerprinting process is time-consuming, messy, and doesn’t always deliver optimum results. Brown and Sommerville’s method uses heat instead of powders, dyes, chemicals, and brushes. Not only is the new method clean, it’s ultra-fast, and it works on porous surfaces, such as paper and even the wooden tops of undetonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

More forensic news:

– It is possible to determine a cause of death long after the burial of a body. In fact, pathologists have discovered discernable evidence in exhumed bodies, such as heart attack, drug overdose, and pneumonia.

– Unlike television and books would have us believe, toxicology testing does not encompass all drugs and poisons. And testing results are not instant. Scientists are increasing their databases, which will enhance their ability to detect a wider spectrum of substances. However, new drugs constantly emerge presenting new challenges to the system. Other factors that slow toxicology testing are: a shortage of manpower, government regulations, and poorly packaged samples from the field.

– Before releasing a crime scene be sure to conduct a final walk-through and speak with all the players in the investigation—other detectives and the prosecutor—to make sure you’ve covered all the bases. A murder investigation is no place for ego or sloppy work!

– To prevent cross-contamination of crime scenes always use new fingerprint brushes for each area of the scene.

– The use of products such as Wet Print and SPR allows investigators to lift fingerprints from wet surfaces. However, these products are water-based, therefore, they may only be used in temperatures above 32 degrees (they freeze).

Did you know that in extreme heat fingerprints can streak? Sure, prints are formed from oils in the skin, so heat treats that oil much like olive oil in a hot frying pan—it becomes thinner. The prime printing temperature is between 70-75 degrees. So, if you’re printing a car that’s been sitting in the hot Arizona sunshine it would be best to move the vehicle into the shade for a while before fingerprinting.

*Notice*

– Only 17 days left until the Writers’ Police Academy! We still have room for you!

– Entries are pouring in for the 200 word short story contest. Have you sent yours? The deadline to enter is September 10. The Golden Donut Award sure would look nice sitting on your desk!

All FATS information and schedules will be emailed to attendees this week. Some messages have already gone out. Please check your inboxes.

– TNT television is sponsoring an exciting contest to be held exclusively on The Graveyard Shift. Details coming soon! Prizes are really cool. Think Memphis Beat and Rizzolli and Isles. TNT is a sponsor of the Writers’ Police Academy. And, TNT Knows Drama!

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Weekend Road Trip: Georgia Reflections

Georgia Reflections

 

Savannah, Georgia is amazing. It’s an area that’s rich in history, but that’s not the focus of this week’s road trip. Instead, we walked out the back door and slipped the kayaks into a very still river. Please join us for a peek at some breathtaking afternoon reflections.


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Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen

Friday's Heroes - Remembering the fallen officers

The Graveyard Shift extends our condolences to the families of each of these brave officers.

Deputy Sheriff Brian Harris, 41

Kane County Utah Sheriff’s Office

August 26, 2010 – Deputy Brian Harris was killed while tracking burglary suspect Scott Curley. Curley set up an ambush and used a rifle to shoot Deputy Harris. The suspect was captured several days later. Deputy Harris, a Gulf War veteran, is survived by his wife Shawna and two daughters, 13-year-old Kirsten and 10-year-old Kristina.

Family and friends gather to mourn the passing of Deputy Brian Harris

Accused cop killer Scott Curley (sheriff’s office photo)

Chief of Police Paul Jeffrey Fricke

Hawk Point Missouri Police Department

August 27, 2010 – Chief Paul Fricke was traveling on Highway 47 near Hawk Point when his patrol car slipped off the pavement. He then over-corrected and his car hit a utility pole on the opposite side of the road. Chief Fricke died at the scene of the crash.

Officer Matthew Tokuoka, 39

Hoonah Alaska Police Department

Sergeant Anthony Wallace, 32

Hoonah Alaska Police Department

August 28, 2010 – Officer Matthew Tokuoka was off duty and was driving with his family when he stopped to talk to fellow officer Sergeant Anthony Wallace. While Tokuoka and Wallace stood outside their cars a man walked up and opened fire, striking both officers. The officers were transported to the hospital where both succumbed to their injuries.

Officer Tokuoka’s wife, Haley, and their six-year-old son and two-year-old daughter were in the car at the time of the shooting. Tokuoka’s mother was visiting from out of town and was also in the car when her son and Sergeant Wallace were ambushed.

*Officers, please use caution and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Be vigilant for potential ambush situations.

Stay safe and wear your vests.

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New And Unusual Cop Stuff

Even cops have to keep up with the times. And to do so, the folks at the drawing boards must devise new products for use in the field. Here’s a peek at what’s rolling off the assembly lines these days.

Unlike traditional car seats, ABS Transport Seats offer room for elbows and handcuffed wrists. The ABS material makes clean up (with a garden hose) a breeze, too. You know, for those accidental bladder incidents, and the drunks who just can’t seem to hold their liquor, beer, pickles, pizza, cotton candy, hot dogs, and ice cream.

Toshiba makes the ultimate CopTop computer called the Portégé M780 Tablet PC. It’s even designed to take the rough and tumble activity that goes hand-in-hand with patrol work.
The Weather Tracker is a hand held weather monitoring device that also features a ballistics calculator. So, whichever way the wind blows a savvy shooter will always remain on target.
It’s a pen. No, it’s a weapon. Or, is it an evidence collection device? The answer is… all three. The UZI Tactical Pen is capable of note-taking and ticket-writing, but its specially designed top delivers a painful punch when used as a weapon. The top also collects torn flesh from the suspect for later DNA analysis, if needed.
Pro-Guard’s level II Ballistic Ticket Board is capable of stopping three rounds from a .357 at a distance of fifteen feet. The level I board can stop three 9mm rounds from the same distance. The board’s ergonomically placed handle also comes in handy.
Bust-A-Cap baton tips screw on the end of a standard ASP (expandable baton). Once in place the officer then may use the baton as a glass breaking tool for gaining entry to locked vehicles, etc. Perfect for rescuing trapped crash victims.

SafariLand’s Lightning Spray-On fingerprint powder is perfect for those hard-to-dust areas, such as ceilings and some vertical surfaces. The spray comes in all the traditional colors.

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