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…
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…
The 2-Hour Window: Can a Kiss Explain Away DNA on a Cigarette Butt?
Mixtures are the "bread and butter"—and the primary headache—of the modern forensic analyst. The challenge in today’s high-sensitivity landscape isn’t just identifying the contributors; it’s…
Beyond the Surface: Extending the Forensic MRI Window for Living Strangulation Victims
The "Silent" Violence In forensic casework, few things are as frustrating as the disconnect between a victim's account of a life-threatening struggle and the lack…
Nanoparticles for Fingerprints: A Surface-Specific Guide
We have all been there: staring at a faint, smudged ridge pattern on a "nightmare" surface—maybe a textured dashboard or a porous receipt—wishing the development…
Does Age Affect Cranial Sex Estimation? A New Study Review
Does skeletal aging impact sex estimation from the skull? We break down new research on the Walker traits and its practical implications for forensic anthropology.
Making Sense of DNA Patterns: New Research on DNA Transfer and Activity-Level Modeling
New research from Flinders University used video and Bayesian network modeling to map DNA transfer during social interactions, confirming that background DNA and shedder status…
The Genomic Revolution: Why SNPs and FGG Are the Future of Forensic Science
New research argues that genomics is revolutionizing forensic science. SNP testing and FGG overcome STR limits, leveraging aDNA techniques to solve cold cases and deliver…
Quantifying Illicit Drugs: Benchtop NMR as a Cost-Effective Forensic Solution
New forensic chemistry research validates benchtop NMR spectroscopy combined with a quantum mechanical model for accurate, cost-effective, and simultaneous quantification of methamphetamine, cutting agents, and…
Washing Machine DNA: The Challenge of Extra Alleles in Forensic Interpretation
New forensic research quantifies the risks of DNA transfer and degradation in washing machines, finding that profiles from laundered clothes must be treated as complex,…
How Light-Based Analysis Can Determine the Sex of Blowfly Larvae
A new study from Texas A&M uses infrared light and machine learning to accurately and non-destructively determine the sex of blowfly larvae, a key breakthrough…
A New Era of Rapid eDNA Extraction for On-Site Forensic Analysis
New research on rapid DNA extraction methods for environmental DNA (eDNA) reveals that simple, heat-based solutions are more effective than traditional lab kits, paving the…
How the Degradation Index and DNA’s ‘Story’ Can Improve Forensic Profiles
New research shows that while the DNA Degradation Index (DI) is a valuable tool for assessing degraded DNA, it's not the full story. This study…
Beyond the Femur: A New Consensus on the Best Bones for DNA Analysis
A new review challenges traditional bone sampling protocols, highlighting recent research that shows smaller, porous bones and the petrous bone are often superior sources of…
A Proteomics Approach: A New Method for Detecting Adulterated Drug Test Samples
In forensic toxicology, one of the most persistent challenges isn't just detecting drugs, but ensuring the samples themselves haven't been tampered with. Individuals facing drug…
mRNA Degradation: A Promising New Frontier for Postmortem Interval Estimation in Forensic Pathology
A new systematic review explores the potential of mRNA degradation patterns to more precisely estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) in forensic pathology, highlighting key mRNA…
SNaPshot vs. MPS: Revolutionizing Body Fluid Identification in Forensic Genetics
A new study comprehensively compares SNaPshot and Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) for forensic body fluid identification using DNA methylation markers, revealing their strengths, limitations, and…
Ethyl Acetate in E-Liquids: Implications for Forensic Breath Testing
New research identifies unlabeled ethyl acetate in common e-liquids, revealing its potential to convert to ethanol in vivo and cause false positive breath alcohol test…
