by Jo Ellen Nott
In a study led by Andrew Stokes of Boston University, researchers developed algorithms trained on hospital-verified data to audit out-of-hospital deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results, published in Science Advances, point to “critical gaps in the U.S. death investigation system.”
The study’s …
by Jo Ellen Nott
A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology quantified a systemic threat to public safety, viz., the “wandering police officer.” By analyzing 6,075 officers across 150 agencies for up to five years, researchers whose work was published by the American Psychological Association found …
by Jo Ellen Nott
With the signing of HB26-1020 on March 26, 2026, Colorado became the first state to enact a targeted law limiting the harms caused by colorimetric field drug tests. The reform is narrow but important. Although it does not ban police from using these kits, …
by Jo Ellen Nott
Traffic enforcement has moved far beyond speed traps and roadside officer observations into a realm of constant, algorithmic monitoring. As companies like Hayden AI and Acusensus market and deploy smart camera systems, the legal landscape is shifting from traditional policing toward automated roadway surveillance …
by Jo Ellen Nott
A Flinders University study published in the Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences provides defense attorneys with powerful tools to challenge forensic evidence in cases involving attempted crime scene “clean-ups.” The study reveals how variable and unreliable forensic interpretations of cleaned evidence can be, findings …
by Jo Ellen Nott
For decades, forensic pathologists have relied on body temperature, rigor mortis, and potassium levels in the vitreous humor of the eye to estimate time of death. These methods have underpinned countless prosecutions, but their accuracy degrades sharply beyond the early post-mortem window. Rectal temperature …
by Jo Ellen Nott
In a move to strengthen the accountability and scientific rigor of forensic evidence, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) released Reference Material (“RM”) 8043 on February 18, 2026. This new kit of DNA samples is designed to force transparency in the forensic …
by Jo Ellen Nott
When forensic investigators arrive at a crime scene, they search for DNA on surfaces, clothing, and objects. Increasingly, research suggests they may also need to consider the household pet. Studies led by Flinders University in collaboration with Victoria Police have shown that dogs and …
by Jo Ellen Nott
In the world of modern policing, there is no such thing as a free lunch, only a more expensive and expansive surveillance state. A disturbing trend is sweeping through local governments: the acquisition of high-tech spying tools through “gifts,” pilot programs, and federal grants …
by Jo Ellen Nott
In a significant victory for the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals and those with arrest records, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 1836, known as the “Clean Slate” Act, on January 16, 2026.
The legislation, passed with bipartisan support, transforms the state’s …
