A powerful method for deducing microbial relationships has been edging its way into civil and criminal investigations. But courts should proceed with caution. Anaesthetist Juan Maeso led a seemingly respectable life in the coastal Spanish town of Valencia. But he had a secret. Over the course of at least a decade, at two different hospitals, he regularly skimmed morphine … [Read more...] about Science in Court: Disease detectives
Archives for March 2014
Giacomo “Big Jim” Colosimo
In 1895, Giacomo "Big Jim" Colosimo moved into Chicago's Levee District, home to 2000 brothels, saloons and gambling dens. Ironically, legitimate work as a street sweeper caused his rise in the underworld, as Colosimo organized the street sweepers into a social club that came to the attention of notorious Aldermen "Bathhouse" John Coughlan and "Hinky Dink" Kenna. … [Read more...] about Giacomo “Big Jim” Colosimo
Jaw Shifting
I am often asked what it means when someone shifts their jaw to the side as demonstrated in the photograph. I first observed this behavior in 1975, while working as a police officer. While interviewing an individual accused of shoplifting I noticed he shifted his jaw to the side when I asked the question, “Have you been arrested previously for shoplifting?” After some … [Read more...] about Jaw Shifting
Punishment of Marsyas – Tiziano
Artist: Tiziano Year: 1570–1576 Type: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 212 × 207 cm Location: National Museum, Kroměříž The Punishment of Marsyas (also known as The Flaying of Marsyas) is a painting by the Italian late Renaissance artist Titian, executed around 1570-1576. It is currently housed in National Museum in Kroměříž, in the Czech Republic. It's … [Read more...] about Punishment of Marsyas – Tiziano
Death to the “Mustache Petes”
The Mafia, an Italian Criminal Organization, came to America in the same wave that brought legitimate Italian immigrants to the U.S. in the 1890s. Restricting their criminal activities to Italian neighborhoods, Mafiosi held high positions in the Community. They controlled jobs and political power, operated prostitution rings and gambling halls and ran the notorious Black … [Read more...] about Death to the “Mustache Petes”
