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 …
by Jo Ellen Nott
A recent incident in Utah highlights a growing and problematic trend in law enforcement: the adoption of artificial intelligence to automate essential administrative duties.
In Heber City, the police department recently faced scrutiny after its report-writing software, Axon’s “Draft One,” produced a narrative …
by Jo Ellen Nott
The forensic community is experiencing a critical shift in how biological evidence is described in the courtroom. For decades, terms like “Touch DNA,” “Trace DNA,” and “Wearer DNA” have been staples of expert testimony. However, a growing body of legal rulings and scientific research …
by Jo Ellen Nott
A bipartisan provision tucked into the recently signed National Defense Authorization Act of 2025 has opened new federal funding streams for law enforcement agencies seeking to expand their drone programs, a development hailed by police advocates but met with skepticism by civil liberties groups.
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by Jo Ellen Nott
A federal jury in New York awarded the estate of Darryl Boyd a record-breaking $80 million on November 19, 2025, for the more than 27 years he spent incarcerated following his wrongful 1977 murder conviction. Boyd, who died of pancreatic cancer in February 2025 …
by Jo Ellen Nott
Homeowners are often left financially devastated and without clear legal recourse after police raids cause extensive property damage, forcing them to bear costs that many say should be the public’s responsibility.
The case of Vicki Baker, whose Texas home was ruined by a …
by Jo Ellen Nott
Texas A&M AgriLife Research has developed a new forensic tool that could revolutionize how investigators estimate time of death. Researchers have devised a technique using infrared light and machine learning to determine the sex of blow fly larvae found on human remains, a critical …
