Short-Read vs Long-Read mtDNA Sequencing: Which Is Better for Forensic Casework?
A 2026 pedigree-based study comparing short- and long-read mitochondrial genome sequencing found no single winner: long reads improved coverage uniformity and NUMT discrimination, while short…
How Large Should a Forensic DNA Population Database Be? New 8,237-Person Study Tests the Numbers
A new study of 8,237 Argentines shows that forensic DNA database sample size depends on the question: combined statistics stabilize early, but rare alleles need…
Can Old Hospital Samples Accurately Identify Disaster Victims?
Archived biopsies, cytology slides, diagnostic swabs and blood samples may provide direct antemortem DNA references when personal items or close relatives are unavailable—but their use…
Massive Backlog Strains Maharashtra Forensic Labs as Evidence Grows
Maharashtra’s forensic labs carried 54,897 pending cases into September 2026, with Cyber Forensics and TASI accounting for about 72% of the backlog.
New 16-Marker DNA Panel Targets Minor Contributors in Imbalanced Forensic Mixtures
A new 16-plex DIP-SNP assay detected a minor DNA contributor at a 1:20 mixture ratio under optimized conditions, offering a potential supplement to conventional forensic…
Four New Forensic DNA Standards Added to the OSAC Registry in 2026
NIST’s OSAC Registry added four 2026 forensic DNA standards covering contamination control, STR analysis training, CODIS training, and DNA reporting and review.
This Week in Forensics: “Holy Grail” Fingerprint Tech & A Wave of IDs
This week, forensic science breaks new ground. Researchers achieve the "Holy Grail" by recovering fingerprints from fired bullet casings. Meanwhile, a 54-year-old mystery is solved…
Forensic Weekly: IGG’s Big Wins & The New Science of DNA Age-Estimation
Week's Date: October 28, 2025 This week, the forensic world was buzzing with a powerful mix of past and future. Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) absolutely…
Forensic Weekly: DNA Solves Decades-Old Cases as Global Tech Advances
This week, the world of forensics was dominated by stories of the past being brought into the present through the power of DNA. The relentless…
This Week in Forensics: How Genetic Genealogy Is Rewriting Cold Case History
The concept of a "cold case" has always carried a somber finality—a file box collecting dust, a family left without answers, a story without an…
Indian Supreme Court Sets New Standards for DNA Evidence Integrity
The Supreme Court has issued new guidelines for handling DNA evidence, focusing on strict protocols for collection, transportation, and chain of custody to prevent contamination…
DNA Analysis Leads to Landmark Conviction of Identical Twin in 1987 Rape Cold Case
n a U.S. first, a rape cold case from 1987 was solved when Parabon Nanolabs used next-generation sequencing to identify a unique somatic mutation, leading…
NIST Develops New Standard to Boost Accuracy in Ballistics and Toolmark Analysis
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created a new standard reference material to help forensic labs ensure the accuracy of 3D measurements…
Forensic Science News Roundup March 18, 2025
Explore this week's forensic highlights, including cold cases solved with DNA genealogy, AI-driven forensic advancements, critical forensic evidence debates, and significant updates in forensic education…
Bybit’s $1.4B Crypto Hack – How It Happened & What’s Next
The FBI has linked North Korean hackers to a $1.4B breach of Bybit’s offline Ethereum wallet. This in-depth analysis covers the technical breakdown, forensic findings,…
Rapid DNA Evidence Now Approved for CODIS Searches
Introduction In a groundbreaking update, the FBI has approved modifications to the Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) for Forensic Laboratories, allowing DNA profiles generated by Rapid…
NIST Publishes Comprehensive Report on DNA Mixture Interpretation Methods
Explore NIST's comprehensive review of DNA mixture interpretation methods, featuring updates from new studies and analyst proficiency tests. Learn how this report impacts forensic science.
NIST Report Outlines Strategic Opportunities to Advance Forensic Science in the U.S.
On September 4, 2024, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a pivotal report. The report is titled Strategic Opportunities to Advance Forensic…
Discarded Cigarette Leads to Arrest in 1980 Washington Murder Case
Discover how DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy solved the 1980 murder of Dorothy Silzel in Washington, leading to the arrest of Kenneth Kundert after…
AI-Generated Police Reports: Will AI Chatbots Hold Up in Court?
Explore the evolving role of AI-generated police reports in law enforcement and the legal challenges they present. Will these AI tools stand up to scrutiny…
