Hebrew University Prof. Gila Kahila Bar-Gal uses her knowledge of difficult DNA extraction and physical anthropology as she volunteers at Abu Kabir
— Read on www.timesofisrael.com/expert-in-ancient-dna-and-wildlife-forensics-helps-identify-oct-7-massacre-victims/
DNA analysis-based identification is by far the gold standard in forensic genetics and it should be performed in every case involving human remains or unidentified bodies. Bones and teeth are the preferred source of human DNA for genetic analysis. However, there are cases where the nature of the proceedings and historical significance prevent the disruption of skeletal structure. The remains may also be heavily degraded. In such situations, forensic geneticists seek alternative sources of human DNA. Teeth calculus has proven to be a viable source of DNA for identification purposes. The aim of this study was to assess the concentration of human DNA in teeth calculus and evaluate the usefulness of teeth calculus as a DNA source in the identification process. Teeth calculus was collected from skeletons exhumed between 2021 and 2022 by the PBGOT (Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianism) team from the former Stalag IID prisoner-of-war camp in Stargard. Genetic analyses included the determination of autosomal and Y-STR markers. The total concentration of human DNA was also evaluated in samples from teeth calculus and teeth taken from the same individuals. The pilot study included 22 skeletons with a sufficient amount of calculus for isolation (specified in the protocol). Samples were taken from the largest areas of calculus deposited on lingual surfaces of mandibular incisors. The prepared samples underwent DNA extraction. Our study demonstrated that teeth calculus is a source of human DNA for remains from the World War II period. The obtained DNA concentration allowed for the determination of STR markers. It was shown that teeth calculus contains human DNA in an amount suitable for preliminary identification analyses.
— Read on www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-48761-7
Changes to a new federal rule of evidence will go into effect on Friday, reminding judges that they should be extra vigilant about not allowing “junk science” from expert witnesses to reach juries.
— Read on news.bloomberglaw.com/employee-benefits/updated-evidence-rule-warns-judges-against-junk-science
Wrongful conviction, or the conviction of a person for a crime that they did not commit, is one of the greatest travesties of the criminal justice system. As of 2023, The National Registry of Exonerations has recorded over 3,000 cases of wrongful convictions in the United States.[1] Organizations such as The Innocence Project work to free the innocent and prevent these convictions, so far exonerating 375 people, including 21 who served on death row.
— Read on nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/impact-false-or-misleading-forensic-evidence-wrongful-convictions
When ballistics experts say a match between 2 bullet casings is ‘inconclusive,’ it nearly always means a non-match, a result that could help defendants
— Read on www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2023/11/27/forensic-ballistics-examiners-results-questioned-in-isu-research-iowa-state-evidence-crime-scene/71584697007/
The move to improve user account security comes after a hacker claimed the theft of millions of 23andMe user records data.
— Read on techcrunch.com/2023/11/07/23andme-ancestry-myheritage-two-factor-by-default/
A Kansas judge blocked several long-standing and newly-implemented abortion restrictions in the state on Monday.
— Read on kansasreflector.com/2023/10/30/disproven-and-unsupportable-kansas-judge-blocks-junk-science-abortion-restrictions/
The now-debunked diagnosis has been widely used by police and paramedics to justify the use of force — even lethal force — in cases where they say suspects exhibit superhuman strength and extreme agitation.
— Read on www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-may-soon-bar-police-coroners-referencing-excited-delirium-lethal-force-cases/
Staff at Abu Kabir work 24/7 along with colleagues in IDF and police to identify victims of mass butchery by Hamas terrorists; in some cases identification likely impossible
— Read on www.timesofisrael.com/foreign-media-given-unprecedented-access-to-forensic-institute-to-witness-atrocities/
FORENSICS and LAW in FOCUS @ CSIDDS | News and Trends 