Forensics News and Research

RSS

Symptoms of concussion may increase when the outcome of a lawsuit is at stake

The condition known as “postconcussional syndrome” is difficult to define medically but is generally defined as a string of cognitive, physical or behavioral losses that occur after a head injury.

1 May 2005

Risk scores identify young people with hardened arteries

Armed with more knowledge about what cardiovascular disease looks like in people ages 15 to 34, co-authors from the University of Texas Health Science Center, the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research and institutions in Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania and Louisiana will report...

27 Apr 2005

Isotopes for society

The nucleus of an atom contains protons and neutrons. However, some atoms of the same chemical element can have varying numbers of neutrons, giving so-called isotopes of that element.

27 Apr 2005

Genomics and proteomics to increase the efficiency of drug discovery and development

While the United Sates is still the world leader, Europe is having a good deal of success in the field of advanced genomics and proteomics research. Significant government funding together with the presence of large pharmaceutical companies has made Europe a major competitor in the efforts to deploy genomics and proteomics as vital tools in drug discovery and development.

5 Apr 2005

Construction and excavation of the world's first 'mock' mass grave

The Bournemouth University-based Inforce Foundation has successfully completed one of the world's most unique training programmes which featured the construction and excavation of the world's first 'mock' mass grave.

28 Feb 2005

Human Genome Project may have made traditional race-based measurements of human differences obsolete

New and sophisticated methods for studying the relationship between human genetic differences, the environment, health and behavior, all made possible by the completion of the Human Genome Project, have made traditional race-based measurements of human differences obsolete

17 Jan 2005

Scene-of-the-crime DNA analysis is moving a step closer

Currently DNA analysis is both time-consuming and expensive, but researchers at the Polymer Electronics Research Centre (PERC), within the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, hope to change that by inventing a system that provides direct, real-time detection of DNA.

4 Dec 2004

Call for a Senate Inquiry into the pharmacy industry in Australia

With the current Pharmacy Agreement expiring on 30 June 2005 and the current Senate configuration in place until the same date, Dr Glasson said the timing is perfect for a comprehensive review of the protected environment in which the pharmacies operate.

26 Oct 2004

Tabletop DNA test laboratory cuts disease diagnosis down to 30 minutes

British scientists have developed a tabletop DNA test laboratory that can cut the diagnosis of disease and infection from hours to 30 minutes. This new test laboratory will soon begin trials in UK hospitals.

24 Oct 2004

Single nucleotide polymorphisms and forensic genetics, maybe not such a perfect combination

Forensic genetics is the branch of genetics that, through DNA analysis and comparison, deals with the resolution of legal problems such as paternity tests.

21 Oct 2004

Toxicology is far from robust and based on flawed evidence

The science of measuring drug levels in the blood after death is far from robust and based on flawed evidence - leading to likely miscarraiges of justice and conspiracy theories, say forensic scientists in this week's BMJ.

17 Sep 2004

Normal teenagers are not ticking time bombs

Contrary to the psychoanalytic theory that children who appear to be well adjusted as adolescents are actually "ticking time bombs," most normal teenagers adapt to and benefit from life experiences, a Northwestern University study has found.

10 Sep 2004

Australian funding to assist with the investigation of clandestine laboratory operations

"Clandestine amphetamine laboratories have increased by 300 per cent and it is important that forensic experts have the opportunity to work together in what is one of the most important areas in the fight against illegal drugs," Senator Ellison said.

13 Aug 2004

Legislation introduced to enable Australia's national DNA database system to be used to identify the victims of disasters within Australia

Legislation has been introduced into Federal Parliament to enable Australia's national DNA database system to be used to identify the victims of disasters within Australia, the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, said today.

11 Aug 2004

New twist to the 2001 anthrax attacks in the U.S.

In a new twist to the 2001 anthrax attacks in the U.S., the Federal Bureau of Investigation is searching 2 homes in new York and New Jersey which may be related to the attacks.

5 Aug 2004

Potential of genomics in disease research yet to be realized

Over the past decade genomics has revolutionized our understanding of how microorganisms cause disease. However, genomic studies need to be extended to a more diverse array of microorganisms and research tools improved to gain additional insights into pathogenesis, according to a new report released by the American Academy of Microbiology.

5 Aug 2004