One of forensic science’s dirty little secrets is that it isn’t always accurate; results are subject to interpretation and error. In some cases, there are no set standards for technicians or expert witnesses to follow when evaluating evidence. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) has released their 2016 report: Forensic Science […]
Splitting Hairs to Solve Cases Have you ever wondered what your hair says about you? Straight, curly, dyed, puffy, dry or oily? New research suggests your hair can reveal a lot more about you than the style you present to the world. A single hair left at a crime scene may actually be able to […]
3D printing is revolutionizing many industries and forensic science is no exception. The experts at the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) are using this cutting-edge technology to identify fallen soldiers so that their families can have closure and their remains can be appropriately laid to rest. It’s a fairly involved process but it bodes well […]
We’ve all heard the joke: everyone in prison is innocent. But what happens when they really are innocent? When there is a true miscarriage of justice and an innocent person goes to jail forensic science is often their best hope for release. If the evidence against them can be re-examined using modern forensic techniques it […]
Have you ever wondered what a questioned document examiner does? Are you interested in working as a questioned document examiner (also known as a forensic document examiner)? What degree will you need? What about scholarships and organizations? This quick guide will give you all the basics you need to know to get started as a […]
So you think you might be interested in computer forensics but aren’t sure what careers are out there? This quick guide answers your questions and gives you some free resources to help you explore your options. Forensic science encompasses everything from computers to crime scenes. No matter what you want to investigate there are degrees, […]
Joining an established forensic science association can benefit you in a number of ways. First, it looks great on your resume and shows you are already working to be active in your chosen field. Second, it gives you opportunities to network with others who have the same interests, gives you opportunities for publication, and may […]
It is not often that science and religion go hand in hand but one object in particular has been a focus for forensic investigators over the last 40 years. The Shroud of Turin (believed to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ) has been investigated numerous times by many experts. Much is known, and much […]
In the summer of 1982, one of the most notorious serial killers ever, a man who would later be dubbed “The Green River Killer,” began luring prostitutes and runaways into his truck. Some of their bodies would later be found alongside the banks of the Green River in Washington State. The local police had no […]
If you’re looking for extra money for college there are a variety of scholarships available to forensic science students. It’s doesn’t matter which university you are attending, if you’ve got great grades and a few letters of recommendation you’ll want to apply for as many of these awards as possible.
We’ve listed the top five forensic science scholarships below, in monetary order from highest to lowest. We’ve also highlighted some of the requirements you’ll need to meet in order to apply for them.
If you follow the yellow brick road of evidence left by prints, impressions, and markings, it can lead you to the answer you’ve been looking for all along. These three are the most common types of evidence found at crimes scenes, and both crime scene investigators (CSI) and forensic laboratory technicians must know how to properly document, collect, and analyze them.
Using forensic science to solve cases (especially cold cases) is nothing new. We’ve all heard about investigators gathering DNA samples at crime scenes or dusting for fingerprints on suspected weapons. What happens when something unusual turns up in a case? Here are three of our favorite cases that baffled even the forensic science experts. We hope that reading them will help you learn from their mistakes and help solve the next big mysterious cold case!
Our blogger, Brooke Kaelin, is a student at Eastern Kentucky University pursuing a B.S. in Forensic Psychology online.
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