FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK... Carol Henderson

This issue of It’s Evident focuses on the Future of Forensics and finds the staff at NCSTL very busy with many interesting projects. Here’s some of what’s new:

• NCSTL.org's “one-stop-shop” database has grown to over 72,183 records and continues to develop and consolidate forensic-based information including the addition of webcasts, podcasts, vodcasts, blog links, and training materials which focus on science, technology and law topics;
  
  
• The NCSTL receives regular media coverage. On July 14, 2008, I was interviewed by Mark Hansen at the ABA Journal regarding “Touch DNA”; on August 9, 2008 I was interviewed by Randy Schmid of the associated Press regarding an article in the journal Science regarding fingerprints and detecting explosives residues; two television stations in Parma, Italy interviewed me on September 1, 2008 about the possibility of Italy starting its own DNA database; Brandon Sweeney, WAMU, and I spoke about new forensic technology on September 10, 2008; and on September 11, 2008 I participated on a panel discussing “New Forensic Technology and DNA Databases” on the Kojo Nnamdi Show (guest host Korva Coleman) on WAMU 88.5 radio (an NPR affiliate) in Washington DC;
  
  On July 29, 2008, Director of Outreach, Anjali Swienton, was interviewed by Nancy Grace on the Caylee Anthony case in Florida and then was interviewed on August 5, 7, 12, and 28, 2008 in Washington, DC by Nancy Grace on the same case;
  
  
• I attended ABA Annual Meeting, New York, New York, on August 7 - 12, 2008 as I am the Future of Evidence Committee Chair and Scientific Evidence Committee Vice Chair/ABA Section of Science & Technology; Director and Director of Outreach, Anjali Swienton, participated at the 18th Triennial Conference of the (IAFS) International Association of Forensic Scientists in New Orleans, LA, July 21 - 26, 2008. Video footage was captured on the 4-hour workshop entitled "Ethics in Forensic Science" and will soon be uploaded to www.ncstl.org/education;
  
  
• To inform NCSTL’s constituency, which includes law enforcement, legal professionals, scientists, engineers, educators, and technologists, NCSTL representatives make presentations and offer training on a multitude of topics. Director of Outreach, Anjali Swienton, presented “The Whole Problem of Post Conviction and DNA” at the Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas on August 25, 2008. On October 10, 2008 Director of Technology and Distance Education, Dr. Susan Zucker, will speak to the FJSA (Federal Judges Secretaries Association) on NCSTL – Its Mission, Its Impact in Albuquerque, NM.

The next issue of It's Evident will be published in January, 2009. Until then …

RESEARCH FOCUS
Discount DNA: Lowering the Cost of Finding the Bad Guy
Kevin Paget, Law & Science Fellow

Low cost, low-fi DNA analysis may be coming to a police laboratory near you. Scientists working at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have perfected a technique which is revolutionizing how the scientific community processes DNA information. Full Paper

RESEARCH EXTRA
Advancements in fingerprint technology
Angela Lack, Esquire

Fingerprint identification has been used as a biometric measure to identify perpetrators of crime for more than a century and have advanced from ink pads and paper to electronic recognition. Most techniques have become widely accepted and reliable forms of biometrics, especially with advancements in computer technology and chemical reagents. Full paper

SPOTLIGHT ON Mitochondrial DNA
Terry Melton, PhD, President of Mitotyping Technologies and Former NCSTL Advisory Council Member

Linked directly to Mitotyping Technologies where this article was published in September, 2008. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), a lesser-known form of DNA testing, is being used to re-open cold case investigation ... Full paper

TECHNOLOGY CORNER
CIA Spies On YouTube, Facebook, Blogs and Chat Rooms
Susan Zucker, PhD, Director Technology & Distance Education

Social and citizens media networks such as YouTube, Facebook, blogs and chat rooms are increasingly being watched for illicit activities. Full paper

FROM THE RESEARCH DESK...
Diana Botluk, Director of Research

In this election season, what views do the two presidential candidates have on scientific issues? Check out Science Debate 2008. Find out more ...

NCSTL's BOOKS & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Visit the NCSTL's Book Collection @ Stetson College of Law and the NCSTL's Special Collections. Borrow from the collections.

TECHNOLOGY AND DISTANCE EDUCATION NEWS
Dr. Susan Zucker, Director Technology & Distance Education and Publisher and Editor of It's Evident

Additions to www.ncstl.org ... Find out more

NCSTL ACTIVITIES and PRESS: Find out where NCSTL staff has been and what we’ve been doing, as well as information about our publications, professional associations, and the press coverage we have received.