Iris scans could be 'as common as fingerprinting'

by team UAB,JMD

It appears that this new technology is hitting stations accross the nation. However, it seems as if though it is doing just what fingerprints and DNA technologies do: identify people. The good thing about this new eye-scanning technology is that it can find matches within seconds instead of waiting weeks, even months for results. I think that this is worth putting extra money into in order to perfect the system and spread its use. It may be a little more costly than other methods, but I think that the quickness of identifying offenders far outweighs the costs. I am not advocating that we push fingerprint and DNA technology to the way-side either. Mainly because people's iris' are not left at crime scenes. However, I think that this new scanning technique will be a good way to supplement our existing techniques. Thus, making the probability of convictions even greater.

More than 2,100 departments in 27 states are taking digital pictures of eyes and storing the information in databases that can be searched later to identify a missing person or someone who uses a fake name,.

It is futuristic in nature but definitly feasible. also, it has a lot of support from law enforcement.

The First Gunshot Victim of the New World

by team ala

This article is a really great examle of how forensic techniques can be still be used on people that have been dead for hundreds of years.

Forensic scientists in Connecticut said the position of the round holes and some minuscule iron particles showed that the person most likely was shot and killed by a Spanish musket ball.

DNA Evidence: The Savior for the Wrongly Accused

by team UAB jld

DNA evidence gives a woman back her life after spending 13 years in jail for a murder she did not commit.

A judge's decision to vacate the verdict and order a new trial made her the first woman in the U.S. to have a murder conviction overturned on the basis of DNA evidence.

Stories like this make me excited to get into this field. To have an opportunity to clear people's names and make a real difference in society. However, I can't understand why they are going to try this poor woman for second degree manslaughter after she spent 13 years in prison for a crime she did not commit. Even if she was convicted she would not spend any time in jail. It just seems like they are pouring salt on a open wound.

CT Autopsies

by team uab, db

Seems like this type of autopsy would have been put to use years ago.

"CT is a sensitive imaging tool for detecting injuries and cause of death in victims of blunt trauma," said Barry Daly, M.D.; When there are major injuries, such as those resulting from a motor vehicle accident, CT may provide enough information to enable a conventional autopsy to be avoided altogether."

What a wonderful resource to forensic pathology. These CT Autopsies could save medical examiners time on both conventional autopsies and preliminary autopsies involving gunshot wounds or suspected foul play.

Life as a Forensic Biologist

by team UAB KPF

These forensic biologists in Kentucky describe what they encounter as forensic biologist working in a state lab.

"The job consists of long hours and late nights," explained Christian. "We sometimes have to travel long distances to testify in court." The scientists are faced with a large backlog of cases. "The supervisor receives evidence. He or she will then assign cases," replied Christian. "An average analyst will have 50-60 cases they are working on."

This career is definitely where my interest lies! I am excited about becoming a part of a team that will help solve crimes, catch perpetrators, and identify unknown victims. Hard work and commitment are essential to doing the job well. I know that all of my classmates will be prepared for this!