"Every measurement slowly reveals the workings of the criminal. Careful observation and patience will reveal the truth."Alphonse Bertillon Surveying the suspect's body After the invention of photography, police began to keep "rogues' galleries," disorganized photographic collections of suspects and convicts. What was needed was a way to retrieve images and information … [Read more...] about The Bertillon System
Criminalistics
Sticky fingers: developing a materials science approach to forensics
From the bluebird painting propped against her office wall and the deer she mentions seeing outside her office window, Linda Lewis might be mistaken for a wildlife biologist at first glance. But rather than trailing animal tracks, Lewis, a researcher at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is more interested in marks left behind by humans... She's a … [Read more...] about Sticky fingers: developing a materials science approach to forensics
Guatemalan Kaibiles, U.S. Special Forces promote security through partnership
Roughly a thousand years ago, the Mayan civilization thrived as they developed advances in writing, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical studies throughout the Central American isthmus. Within Central America, Guatemala is considered to be the heart of the Mayan world. The nation is the most populous of the Central American countries, and it is a popular travel … [Read more...] about Guatemalan Kaibiles, U.S. Special Forces promote security through partnership
Cartridge Case Identification
Like bullets, cartridge cases can be identified as having been fired by a specific firearm. As soon as cartridges are loaded into a firearm the potential for the transfer of unique tool marks exists. However, the cartridge does not have to be fired for these marks to be transferred. Simply loading a cartridge into a firearm can cause unique identifiable marks … [Read more...] about Cartridge Case Identification
Laser comb system maps 3D surfaces remotely for manufacturing, forensics
NIST's 3D mapping system combines a form of laser detection and ranging (LADAR), which is sensitive enough to detect weak reflected light, with the ranging accuracy made possible by frequency combs, as previously demonstrated at NIST. The frequency comb, a tool for precisely measuring different frequencies of light, is used to continuously calibrate the laser in the imaging … [Read more...] about Laser comb system maps 3D surfaces remotely for manufacturing, forensics
